It has been 11 years since Yamaha did the unexpected with the debut of the MT-09 (back then known as the FZ-09). The result was sportbike performance, dressed down to a naked streetfighter, and showcasing an exciting triple powerplant from Japan. The torquey-ness, upright riding position, and general hooliganism of the MT attracted a cult following quickly.

Fast-forward to 2024 and the MT-09 is all grown up. This year’s model features an updated 5-inch TFT dash with a multitude of settings and prebaked riding modes along with phone connectivity. Yamaha has reoriented the rider triangle into a sportier position, stiffened the suspension, refined the rigidity and balance of the chassis, and reworked the overall aesthetics of the machine. While the changes may not seem major, they do hint at a new philosophy infiltrating Yamaha’s “Dark Side of Japan” models.

2024 Yamaha MT-09 Ergonomics and StyleYamaha’s dedication to unveiling expressive and intriguing headlight assemblies continues with this year’s MT-09. Older generations had uncanny similarities to the look of sinister robots like Transformer Decepticons, but the newest MT-09 looks much more at home within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is difficult to unsee the Iron Man face mask resemblance in the MT-09 after comparing the two.

Some changes are more than just cosmetic. For instance: The resculpted gas tank not only looks sharper but is also 30mm (1.2 inches) lower and 60mm (2.4 inches) wider compared to last year. Yamaha has also pushed the riding position into a “forward weight” orientation, increasing the steering angle, lowering the handlebar, and pushing the footpegs higher.All of these tweaks to the rider triangle nudges the MT-09 closer to the “sporty” end of the sport-naked spectrum. There was some concern at first about all-day riding comfort, but the test ride in Northern California revealed that the changes made were incremental and not so severe as to snap wrists and break backs when putting down miles.

2024 Yamaha MT-09 Engine and ElectronicsYamaha’s 890cc DOHC CP3 inline-triple returns untouched to this newest edition of the MT-09. Already well known for its sound and character, there wasn’t much to change about the midrange bugle. Instead, Yamaha has been searching for ways to enhance the presence of the venerated powerplant with acoustic amplifier grilles and adjustments to the transmission. Specifically, the transmission has seven new gears with redesigned drive dogs for smoother shifts and reducing backlash. The newest MT-09 also benefits from the latest-generation “all quadrant” quick-shift system that has a larger operating window than the previous model.The MT-09 has a sensitive throttle, a trait well known to Yamaha’s triple streetbikes. Once the throttle hand recalibrates itself, the quick engagement is exhilarating and the MT-09 leaps corner to corner in NorCal’s redwood forests. Low in the rev range the MT-09 is well mannered, but when it hits around 5,000 rpm, the induction whine and blast of the triple is addicting. Dancing through the gears in search of the sweet spot where that tenor tune would play the longest finds the rider jumping from second to third back to second in the tight winding roads heading to Santa Cruz. The new quickshifter doesn’t just work as advertised, it dazzles with its efficiency.

New for this year, the six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) riding-aids menu involves less guesswork in offering riders three standard riding modes (Rain, Street, Sport) along with two customizable maps. This is an extremely helpful upgrade, as endlessly scrolling through the variety of rider aids and individually toggling them could become tedious. While the Rain mode is predictably gentle for inclement conditions, the differences between the Street and Sport mode are more nuanced. Sport mode has a slightly punchier throttle response but Street mode is smoother while still offering the same peak power.

2024 Yamaha MT-09 Chassis and HandlingAgility has always been a calling card of the MT series. In the pursuit of cornering perfection, Yamaha has made evolutionary changes to the suspension and frame of the newest MT-09.

Yamaha increased the spring rate in the front fork, and new linkage settings in the rear shock are all designed to be stiffer and to reduce pitching during hard aggressive riding. They also made some changes to the frame, moving brackets and rebalancing the overall rigidity of the design so the MT-09 has better stability at high speeds. The subframe has also been revised to be narrower and, you guessed it, stiffer.

I am at the lighter end of the rider weight spectrum, so all of these changes to the MT-09 are noticeably stiff when riding. The front fork is progressive in both compression and rebound damping, and well composed under heavy braking. Rocketing out of corners the weight transfer of the MT is well balanced. The only places the suspension and hardened-up chassis is irksome is through rough patches of road and potholes.As for stopping power, the updated Brembo radial master cylinder for the four-piston caliper, dual disc brakes were plenty adequate on the MT-09. In juxtaposition to the twitchy throttle, the brakes are far more forgiving and won’t bite a rider feeling out its limits.

In ConclusionA subtle shift is lurking in the new MT-09. Why create a more aggressive riding position? Why rebalance the frame and stiffen the suspension settings even further? On the scale of purebred sport versus naked hooligan machine, the dial has been turned back toward the former.

As the MT-09 makes its debut into the MotoAmerica Hooligan class this season—and the rumor mill buzzes with more gossip of a possible R9—the calculated micro adjustments back to the realm of sport all begin to make sense.Yamaha’s newest MT-09 is possibly the most sophisticated and well-balanced iteration yet, brimming with features and competency well beyond its affordable price tag. The “Dark Side of Japan” might be taking a step back into the light, and I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Not one bit.2024 Yamaha MT-09 Specs