wordsmith

Products Incentives Dealers Events Safety How-To Forums 2021 Yamaha MT-09 Getting Larger Engine To Meet Euro 5 Standards Don't Miss Stories on Motorcycle.com Share this Article Save Print Email a Friend Dennis Chung September 18, 2020 6 Yamaha‘s MT-09 is getting a larger engine for 2021, as part of an update to allow the “Master of Torque” Triple to meet Euro 5 standards. The new engine will increase from the current 847cc to close to 890cc and increase its maximum power by 4 hp to a claimed 118 hp while reducing its emission output. At the moment, we can only confirm the MT-09 will receive the updated engine, but we expect other Yamaha models that share the three-cylinder engine, such as the Tracer 900, XSR900 and Niken to receive the new powerplant as well. The information comes to us from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority which has published the emissions test results for a Yamaha motorcycle going by the model code “MTN890D”. The model code is new, but it follows Yamaha’s typical nomenclature for its MT family. The current 847cc MT-09, for example, goes by the code MTN850. The 689cc twin-cylinder MT-07 likewise goes by MTN690 and the 998cc MT-10 has the codename MTN1000. Following this logic, we can infer that the MTN890D refers to a new MT-09 (or more specifically, perhaps, a new MT-09 SP as a D in the codename refers to the SP version of the current model.) Advertisement X Powered By The testing data lists the MTN890 as outputting 88 kW (118 hp) while spitting out 366 mg/km of carbon monoxide (CO), 34 mg/km of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), and 9 mg/km of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), all falling within Euro 5 requirements. These figures compare favorably to the 847cc engine which claims 85 kW (114 hp), 525 mg/km of CO, 103 mg/km of HC and 40 mg/km of NOx. What we don’t know yet is the exact displacement of the engine, though the codename suggests it will be close to 890cc. Increasing the displacement is one method manufacturers have used to get their models to meet Euro 5, with other recent examples including the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, Ducati Multistrada 1260 and BMW R1250 boxers. Typically, more restrictive emission controls have a negative effect on performance, so manufacturers make up for it by increasing the engine size. This isn’t always necessary, but for more competitive segments, it’s a lot easier to market a new engine if it offers more power than the old one. The Tracer 700 (which unfortunately isn’t offered in the U.S.) was the first Yamaha to adopt a Euro 5-compliant version of the MT-07’s 689cc engine. The engine updates should trickle down to the MT-07 and its derivatives like the XSR700 and Ténéré 700. It’ll be interesting to see what other changes Yamaha has planned to get its models Euro 5 ready before the standard becomes mandatory for all new motorcycles by the end of the year. At the moment, the only Yamaha models that we can verify as meeting Euro 5 are the R1, Tracer 700, and TMax scooter (the German emissions test results also list Euro 5 test results for the entry-level MT-125). We expect the MT-10, MT-07 and Ténéré 700 will meet Euro 5 easily by adopting the updates made to get the R1 and Tracer compliant.

I had a set of these on my late GT - very good.

If I really want to drill right down, there's the above, plus things you'd probably hardly notice: some blue stitching on the seat: SP decals on the wheel rims: black 'bar and levers: blue wheels rims: not much (if any) more. But it's a tasty-looking package, tho' I doubt it's for me. I have to say that I do see a lot of MT-09s about, far more than Tracers, which remain pretty elusive.

There is an FZ Owners' Forum, with a sub-Forum relating to the MT-09, but it seems very light-on compared to this resource, and probably not of much use to me right now as I cannot see - from a very hasty sqizz - any references to the SP (which i know is very little different to the base MT-09 apart from the suspenders and paint job).

I very much wish that I could get back on a GT, but I simply cannot. A tip to all you youngsters out there - DO NOT GET OLD!!

I want two - one for me, one for the missus!

Don't have FB in this home, jd - fed-up with continuous attempted scams.

Good points, which I must say I had begun to consider - thank you! Prices here are AUD$15999 for the SP or AUD$14249 for the 'standard' MT-09, a difference of AUD$1750. When I had a very serious both-ends K-TECH upgrade to the suspension of my late Tracer 900 GT it cost me a very well-spent $2100. Should the SP's already upgraded suspension not be quite up to scratch out-of-the-box I reckon my suspension guru could tweak it for very little. But the cost difference does also include gold vs black fork (I much prefer the gold) plus some other minor embellishments such as stitching on the SP seat, SP decals on wheel rims, fancy and (IMHO) quite tasty paint job, and so on. But alas, the SP version has that fugly rear fender/ plate/ light carrier - the very first thing to go! So should I be interested in proceeding I think the extra relatively few $$$s for the SP would be the better buy, especially as there's a new one advertised in a dealership here @ AUD$14636!

Excellent pix, jd!

I have just 'discovered' this bike, and wonder if anyone here has one, or has ridden one, and if so with what opinions and conclusions. I understand that the SP is not (or has not been) imported into the USA and Canada. From some early reading and on-line reviews and test-rides from the UK it appears to be an upgraded MT-09 (FJ-09), with different headlight 'styling' at the front, an attractive paint job, a ghastly-looking rear fender/ plate carrier, and seriously upgraded suspension comprising a fully-adjustable KYB fork and OHLINS rear shock. Of greater interest to me - with my wonky stiff knees, hips, and ankles - is the seat-height of only 820mm (vs the even more helpful 804mm of my BMW R9T). Keenly-priced, tho' more day-ride/ sports oriented than (say) the Tracer GT. I'd be very interested in any comments, links to any other reviews or posts, etc. Wordsmith

The twin zorsts do make a lovely deep mellow sound, but by no means offensive. It's the first BMW I've owned where I could actually hear a zorst note! That said, I don't much care for its appearance, feelings it's rather too 'heavy' for the minimalist style of the R9T. Gonna get the BOS taper single pipe zorst, from Holland. Nice clean simple lines.

In the past (in fact going back as far as 1997) I've been fortunate enough to have owned many BMW boxer twins, mainly Roadsters, but also more than one GS. As far as the R9T is concerned - it's different! And TBH I'm still coming to terms with it, a process not helped at all by the fact that within days of getting it covid forced us all off the road here for many weeks, restrictions only just being relaxed.

I agree 100%. Having the K Tech conversions on my late Tracer Gt was a revelation - transformed the bike, its comfort, and my enjoyment of it.

Second from bottom of pic, gold forks (pure 24 ct of course). BMW R9T Classic Roadster. Slowly getting used to it.

Thanks, betoney. The 'cuppla minor issues' relate to the low-wrist riding position, which I believe I can address by new 'bars (I have Helibar risers already fitted). By happenstance the new BMW 900XR has somewhat taller 'bars suited to its touring pretensions that just may suit. May need longer lines (or maybe also off the XR) but I'm off to the local dealer tomorrow to suss it out, having already chatted to the chief mechanic there about it. I also need to finesse the gear-change lever: foot-peg relationship as it's still not 100% comfortable after fitting the KD foot-peg lowering kit. I like to be able to just swivel my left foot across to change gears rather than having to raise the foot - I haven't quite got there yet, but today's outing has identified the tiny adjustment of the gear-lever on the splines that's needed. A ten minute job. I may also try removing the gear-change lever extender that I fitted to see if that opens things up a little - a 30-second job! Finally, I'll ask my suspension guru to soften-up the OHLINS on the bike, as it was probably set-up for the rather hefty (judging by his photographs) previous owner, while I'm a fairly light ~85kg all-up-in-ATTGAT rider. If I then decide that the R9 is a keeper, maybe a single-pipe BOS (from Holland) zorst may be considered, for I do not care much for the twin Akra pipes despite the lovely sound they make: and a rear luggage rack so that I may be able to carry enough for a few days away on the bike. I'm not gonna say that's all, folks!

The day started off badly, and got worse – tho’ not disastrously so I’m pleased to say! I have to wear prescription specs when driving or riding, and have not long had new ones. I put them onto the bike’s seat prior to donning my helmet while the engine was warming up – my usual procedure – and they fell off. I stood still and looked around the bike and couldn’t see them, then took a fatal step towards walking around – and felt and heard a distinct ‘crunch’ as I flattened them. After a few choice words, quietly muttered so as not to offend my doggie and wife, I briefly thought about abandoning the day, but instead donned my prescription sunnies, not that they were needed on this rather overcast day. They sufficed to keep me both legal and able to see. Any spe-ling errours here can be put down to my old specs now being in use! I badly needed a coffee to calm my nerves as I considered the likely $500 or so cost of new specs, so rode off 85 km or so to my fave bakery/ coffee shop at Fernvale, where hordes of bikers congregate at weekends. I half-thought I may have caught up with jdavis (John), who lives nearby, but the cursed coffee-cancelling covid social-distancing rules at the shop had created a very long queue outside. It’s always busy and congested in there, but I’ve never seen a queue that long outside. So I gave it a miss, and after twenty minutes or so off the bike and a bit of socializing headed for home, where the coffee is cheaper and better… but even so, I’m glad I went out.

Thanks, Edgar. The LUST links drop the bike by 20mm according to their website, which is decent amount, and the extra 8mm or so from the front would help. However, I've decided not to continue on this path, which disappoints me but may be realistic given the alternatives and necessary compromises. Pity, 'coz I think I enjoyed my Tracer GT as much as any other bike I've owned (which is far too many!). My current BMW R9T has a seat height of only 805mm, and there is no 'hump' between it and the front of the pillion seat - it's all pretty flat, with a slight uphill slope, and so doesn't impede in any way, and I can get on and off with great ease. Just gotta sort out a couple of minor issues and I think it may be problem solved on what is, after all, a great and great-looking machine. A tip here to all - do not get old!

I had the mind of an 88-yo when 50! Less flippantly - I had a test ride late last year on a Can-Am Spyder S3 - hated it! I'd agree with anyone who says it take a deal of getting used to after being a bike-rider, but... I just couldn't continue down that path, tho' I rather liked the general look and styling of the Spyder. Very few are seen around here, and dealer support seems sketchy . Thanks for your wishes.

Looking into alternatives to the Tracer family that may suit me, I see that both BMW and Triumph have new-ish models in that sport-touring category, both of 900cc. The BMW is a twin and Triumph a triple, and both have low suspension options available to suit people like me - Yamaha does not. And they appear to be real lowering options involving suspension changes, not merely a low seat. I'll be looking at both tomorrow, with a view to arranging test-rides on each next week. Website reviews on both make for interesting reading, with the usual and highly necessary sack of salt to be taken, but we shall see! Pricing appears similar, and both have a long list of options (at extra cost of course). But (sob!) when all is said and done the out-of-the-box Tracer 900 GT remains IMHO an outstanding package at an exceptional price.

Here's a pic from fifteen years ago - and where did they all go to? - of me and the mighty Yamaha MT-01. The fuel can fastened on the back of the bike is my response to a claim from a fellow Club member that at warp speed the MT-01 could just about make it between fuel stations! 15L tank an' all, IIRC!

Wow! I almost lost a friend!

With covid time on my hands I have been exploring various ways to lower the seat on a Tracer 900 GT - I sold mine last December and have been missing it, but the increasing problem of getting on and off comfortably has been - well - increasing. So yesterday I drove to a Yamaha dealership where a demo 2019 GT was for sale, and with the help of the obliging business owner played around with things and discussed what stock solutions there may be. Long story short - there are none that will overcome my ageing and inflexible knee/ hip/ ankle issues, so I have finally decided that there will be no GT in my riding future. Not that my lovely BMW R9T is any let-down, with its perfect flat stock 804mm seat-height (without the rear cowl) making for very easy access. Pic below... It also panders to my love affair with BMW boxer twins going back to 1997. While at the dealership we discussed the new 'red' 2020 model. The dealer showed me a large-scale pic of the bike, and it seems the colour could best be described as pizza-topping-tomato-red/pink/orange - deff not red - but I have to say that I quite like it on the otherwise gloss black machine. It seems that no actual bikes with this colour are yet on the Oz market, but they are in Yamaha's warehouse. l also saw a NIKEN in the flesh - not for me. And a new Tenere 700 - now that looks one mean machine! So my Yamaha days are now sadly over, after having owned several machines of the brand over the years, from the learner SV250 to the mighty 1670cc MT-01 - which started-off this whole MT business. Tracers/ GTs represent outstanding value here, and are a great bike on the road, altho' as said often here, in Oz they are as rare as unicorns in my experience. So I will graciously fade into the sunset, and wish all you Traceristas well into the post-corona future, but I hope to continue my occasional association with this most excellent Forum if I have anything of value to contribute.

I recall that one professional road-tester/ writer for a UK biking magazine experienced the same thing while out on a test-ride, and unequivocally advised that the bike was so dangerous in this condition that it should not have been allowed out on the road.

Is the Ninj on the cycle-ergo website? If so, all your questions and comparisons will be answered...