Hard to believe it’s been a decade since Yamaha’s FZ-09 triple burst into the naked segment, but here we are with Team Blue marking the since-renamed-MT-09′s 10-year anniversary. Ten years is a milestone for any model, but for 2024 the MT-09 is getting only an evolutionary update, with bolder styling, a revised riding position, and enhanced electronic features.
Yamaha basically left the liquid-cooled CP3 engine just as it was, with the same lightweight aluminum frame suspended via KYB components front and rear, and enhanced by a full-featured electronics package. Still, the new refinements are fairly comprehensive, covering lighting, ergonomics, electronics, brakes, and more.
We’re sort of relieved Yamaha left well enough alone on the hugely entertaining 890cc inline-triple; we never failed to get a grin out of what we called “one of motorcycling’s great engines” after the last update in 2021. In fact, Yamaha doubled down on that quality this year, adding a new two-duct intake design with acoustic amplifier grilles atop the fuel tank to magnify the CP3′s tasty induction honk.
The visual updates for 2024 start up front, with a new LED headlight which gets a redesigned cover and a smaller lens than before and is further up between the forks. The whole thing gives off a Bane-like vibe, and carries to the rear with a newly designed LED taillight with a slimmer look along with LED turn signals.
Less noticeable is the new fuel tank design, which Yamaha says sits 30mm lower and allows for more movement on the bike as well as giving the handlebar added room to move side to side. That ties into the new, slimmer, and now-two-piece seat unit allowing for an easier reach to the ground, as well as to the redesigned and relocated footpegs, which sit slightly more rearward and a bit higher than before. Those footpegs as well as the handlebar are two-position adjustable, giving riders even more ergonomic options, while the passenger pegs get moved back on the reshaped subframe.
Although the brake package keeps its dual 298mm discs with ABS up front, new this year is a Brembo radial master cylinder to offer better “controllability” according to Yamaha. In addition, riders will likely appreciate the new clutch lever which now offers multiple adjustments.
From there, Yamaha focused on refining the electronics, adding technology features, and improving convenience. A larger 5-inch full-color TFT display with smartphone connectivity and navigation is the cockpit’s centerpiece, and is navigated via all-new integrated handlebar switches with a new shape and feel. Connectivity is now standard; riders can link their smartphone using Yamaha’s free Y-Connect app and turn-by-turn navigation is available through the Garmin StreetCross app.
The MT-09′s three standard ride modes—Sport, Street, and Rain—which can also be accessed here, are likewise unchanged, but for 2024 Yamaha has also added two custom modes that can be programmed via the MyRide smartphone app or on the revised switch gear.
As for the electronic rider aids, the 2024 MT-09 retains its six-axis IMU, enabling lean-sensitive traction control, slide control, front wheel lift control, and brake control, but also adds the new Back Slip Regulator (BSR) which is supposed to stabilize the rear wheel during engine-braking and compensate for scenarios with lower grip. The latest MT-09 also gets Yamaha’s new third-generation Quick Shift System (QSS) for quick, clutchless upshifts and downshifts under both acceleration and deceleration.
Other minor tweaks are to the 41mm KYB fork, which is now fully adjustable with 5.1 inches travel, while the KYB shock out back is adjustable for preload and rebound damping and sees a new linkage design. Just above that is a new underseat USB Type C socket, and below that are lightweight SpinForged wheels shod with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tires.
The new 2024 Yamaha MT-09 will be available in either Team Yamaha Blue, Midnight Cyan, or Matte Raven Black, and will be arriving to dealers in March 2024. MSRP is $10,599.