Yamaha officially introduced the overhauled 2021 Yamaha MT-09 to the masses last week. Compared to the current model, the new year’s MT-09 features a more powerful engine, lighter body weight, and a fully electronic control system. In order to compare the differences between the old and new models, we have placed the old and new MT-09 side by side. In the following article we use this as a basis to explain the differences to you.
Front end
The first thing that enthusiasts will notice about the 2021 MT-09 is the front end with inverted octagonal daylight + single LED headlight.
Rear
The taillights maintain the LED light source but the shape is very different, with the new taillights being more Y-shaped and more distinctive than the current model.
Side
The new model has a redesigned fuel tank and seat cushion, which improves the driving position, handling and the stability of the thighs holding the fuel tank.
Instrument panel
Compared to the current model’s special irregular instrument panel, the new model’s quadrilateral shape is relatively modest, but still contains all the information on revs, speed, water temperature, fuel level, etc.
Body weight
Compared to the current model, the weight of the 2021 MT-09 comes to 4kg (189kg total weight). 2.3kg comes with the aluminum main frame, aluminum subframe and rear swingarm spinning wheel frame. 1.7kg comes with the exhaust system, and the increased horsepower, brings the horsepower-to-weight ratio of the new MT-09 to 1ps/1.588kg.
Bold and bold design
Remember the official MT slogan “DARK SIDE OF JAPAN”? After the single headlamp of the first generation and the flat twin lamps of the minor revision, the 2021 version continues the bold. Innovative style with a shaped round mono-eye headlamp with two light guide strips on the left and right, and the overall headlamp proportion is also comes in a significantly way.
Engine
Although the engine is the same water-cooled four-stroke DOHC 4-valve parallel three-cylinder engine, the exhaust volume comes with 889cc in order to pass the EURO 5 standard, allowing the MT-09 to produce 119ps at 10,000rpm and 93Nm at 7,000rpm. 93Nm of torque at 7,000rpm.
Electronic control system
In terms of electronic control, the 2021 MT-09 is a complete evolution, with a new six-axis IMU system to detect body dynamics, and the addition of LIF and SCS in addition to the existing TCS.
With the addition of the IMU, the 2021 MT-09 has also improved the performance of its ABS system. The abs come in two modes, BC1 and BC2, with BC1 focusing on stabilizing the body during full deceleration in a straight line and reducing the possibility of rear wheel flotation, and BC2 focusing on stabilising the ABS when deceleration comes in a corner and in a required way(similar to cornering ABS).
Suspension system
Both the old and new models have inverted front forks with a mid-mounted monoshock rear suspension, and the front forks are fully adjustable in KYB.
According to sources, the 2021 MT-09 will be available from November this year (2020), and will directly compete with Kawasaki’s Z900 and Honda’s CB1000R+.
