New MT09 - Owner experiences?

[8IKERDAVE]

I'm seriously contemplating chopping my '16 Speed Triple in for a new MT-09. I realise there's a bit of a drop in BHP (around 20), but numbers aren't everything! The reviews seem to be very positive and the suspension issues seem to have been solved. I'm considering either the standard one or the SP, I might test both to see if the price difference is worth the extra.

I realise these are very new and therefore there might not be a lot of ownership experience but does anyone have one? Tested one, etc.

[SlimJ]

Yes, I have a '21 SP. I've just come from an MT07 (2018) so a step up for me. Only done around 350 miles so far and unlikely to get it run in until spring - I was planning to purchase in the spring but my local dealer had stock available and offered a cracking price on the PX so I couldn't turn it down.

From my demo experience, it's a big step up from the MT07. Smoother, faster, more comfortable (better seat, bit roomier) and it feels like it handles better, sound is also much better.

I can see me keeping this bike a long time.

[loftylad]

Hi there

I have a standard gen 3 2021 plate.
I test rode the SP, and for me it just wasn’t worth the extra. Plus I prefered the look of the Storm Fluo colour scheme. I don’t ride hard enough to need the benefit of the ‘better’ shock. I also won’t be taking it on track. Being totally honest I couldn’t even tell the difference. I’m sure you probably could if you were riding at 9/10ths.

I got it in May and I’ve done around 1500 miles on it so far. I’m a fair weather rider and it’s in the garage on an optimate at the moment.

It’s a proper fun thing. The QS is fantastic. It’s much smoother than the previous model even at town speeds. Out on the ‘b’ roads, it’s great. I’ve certainly never found myself wanting more power. It’s very comfortable and wheelies for fun.

Get yourself on a test ride.

[Bob_Defly]

I owned an older MT-09. For me if the prices were the same, I'd go for the newer Triumph. The engine in the Yamaha is slightly better though, especially with an exhaust and remap. If you're keeping it std, stick with a 2021/2022 Striple.

[samdale]

Treat my review as you wish, it's my first bike (at the age of 33) I've covered 2000 miles and I learned on an MT07.

I've tried the SP and also the previous gen MT09.
It's a decent upgrade on the previous gen but as per the poster above, I couldn't really justify the SP. For me, the cruise control module got in the way of using the left indicator and I really couldn't tell a difference in the suspension. It was a demo fitted with the Akra, that definitely isn't worth the £1500 odd extra either.

I had a test ride on a 3 year old one then came back to the dealer and started chatting about a new one. I was expecting a bit of an upsell and frankly got one. "Completely different, new this, new that, improved the other etc etc". Took it out that afternoon and by the time I brought it back, I agreed with him. Definitely worth the extra £1k over the price I was looking at second hand ones for.

When I bought mine earlier this year, there was a bit of haggling available off the £9k list price. Only option I added was the heated grips, nice to have the controls integrated into the dash.

It's everything I could want in a bike and more. Can't see a single reason to change it for a long time.

[DJP]

Not an owner, but I recently test rode the 2021 MT09.

My review is here:

http://deejayp999.atwebpages.com/mt09.html

[Rosscow]

OP, have you considered the new 2022 XSR900 as an alternative?

[carinaman]

DJP said:

Not an owner, but I recently test rode the 2021 MT09.

My review is here:

http://deejayp999.atwebpages.com/mt09.html

Thanks. I learnt at least three things from that review.

Did you ride it at night? What's the headlamp like?

[DJP]

Sorry, I didn't ride it at night.

[lukeyman]

carinaman said:

Thanks. I learnt at least three things from that review.

Did you ride it at night? What's the headlamp like?

In the dark, fine. You can't see it.

[samdale]

lukeyman said:

In the dark, fine. You can't see it.

Main beam is surprisingly good in the dark. Better than some of my (admittedly older) cars!

[WarnieV6GT]

Is your speed triple the R version with the ohlins?

I loved that suspension and would be very conscious of moving down in terms of suspension quality, brakes, power and build quality. The 16 on triumph's fit and finish is lovely imo.

[Rosscow]

Rosscow said:

OP, have you considered the new 2022 XSR900 as an alternative?

Not sure if the OP saw this?

The XSR is basically an MT-09 SP spec I believe? Cheaper than the MT-09 SP but more than the standard MT-09.

Same engine, same brakes, same wheels, pretty much the same chassis, slightly shorter seat on the XSR by 15mm and a slightly longer wheelbase.
Same fully adjustable front forks as the SP but it doesn't have the fully adjustable rear Ohlins (better suspension than the standard MT-09 though).
Still has the up to date colour screen and 6 axis IMU, etc.

May be worth a look? In my eyes certainly a more attractive bike!

[8IKERDAVE]

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

In the end I went for a GSXS1000, hopefully collecting this week

[Scobblelotcher]

8IKERDAVE said:

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

In the end I went for a GSXS1000, hopefully collecting this week

Pictures are required sir!

I had a go of an early MT09, loved the motor and sound but it’s one of the few bikes that I couldn’t get on with its suspension, it felt loose and dived too much. I’m sure it could have been made better with a session to get it dialled in or with an aftermarket change.

I do love the XSR900’s looks!

[carinaman]

8IKERDAVE said:

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

In the end I went for a GSXS1000, hopefully collecting this week

Congratulations.

In that gloss primer grey with a hint of blue colour?

I wonder how that double decker LED headlamp performs in the dark.

Edited by carinaman on Tuesday 21st December 22:22

[8IKERDAVE]

carinaman said:

8IKERDAVE said:

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

In the end I went for a GSXS1000, hopefully collecting this week

Congratulations.

In that gloss primer grey with a hint of blue colour?

I wonder how that double decker LED headlamp performs in the dark.

Edited by carinaman on Tuesday 21st December 22:22

No I've not gone new, I went for the older shape one. It's in Black. What drew me to it is the fact that it has the GSXR K5 lump in and hardly any electronics so an old school new bike (kind of).

[Scobblelotcher]

The original/phase 1 S1000RR was based on the GSX-R1000 K6 I believe!

Pics please! (first bike was a GSX-R600 and now ride a S1000RR)