61 replies to this topic

[dandywarhol]

I got a 45 minute test ride on the MT09 around a variety of roads at the Great Scottish Bike Show yesterday. Here's some thoughts on how it rode...........

 

Absolutely stonking engine. I'd a go on Hartside's 800 Trumpet and loved the engine, although it needed to be revved to get there. This Yamaha unit is a peach, pulling strongly from nothing to 11500. Good enough to trickle along cleanly at 30 mph in top or to hoike up the wheel in 1st and second - I loved it!

 

Good front end - planted, responsive and great leverage from the 'bars. Very flickable with the slightest nudge at the bars. springing and damping felt good for around 13 stone wet.

 

Very light to manoeuvre at low speeds and around town - feet up until the very last couple of seconds. 

 

Nice ride comfort and suspension on smooth surfaces BUT here's the big let down - the route ad a 2 mile section of narrow "B" class road and the rear end was a pig - too harshly sprung and underdamped - big disappointment  The back end then made the front twitch through the wide bars and the whole thing felt unpleasant.

 

Then the real surprise - twice, after running briefly through some lying water then onto dry surfaces, I took off from a standing start and gave it a handful in "A" mode and the tyre spun up - the first time really caught me out - I was expecting the nose to lift but the rear just spun up without any drama. Second time it happened it was fun

 

This will be a hoot as a weekend toy. Go try one - it's a blast.  The seat seemed a bit hard but a short test didn't show up any discomfort.

 

I went back onto my old plodding TRX (dubba, dubba dubba dub) and took the same back road - the rear Ohlins made light work of it and was safely tramping down the road feeling more in control.

 

This engine in a TDM style setup would be great for touring and it doesn't really sound like a (Triumph) triple - there was a legal Akrapovic on my test bike - sounded lovely! Get the rear suspension sorted Yamaha (you do own Ohlins after all) and you've got a winner

Edited by dandywarhol, 10 August 2014 - 11:21 am.

[dapleb]

Could you put your feet doon? 

[dandywarhol]

Could you put your feet doon? 

I'll put them doon your throat laddie

[erdferkel]

Thanks for the writeup dandy.

I'm afraid to test ride one...might result in an impulse purchase. Sat on a few. I need a higher seat and harder springs @110kilos. But this would be a nice addition to the stable. Argh. must. control. myself.

 

Glückauf

Ralf

[not2fast]

http://blog.motorcyc...r-sport-tourer/

If I ever want smaller again than me Super Ten, maybe...

Edited by not2fast, 12 August 2014 - 06:42 am.

[not2fast]

Why dump my 'new topic' here? I don't get it... Title lead new MT09(TDM). Its being reported as the new TDM as far as I can see. Ergonomics and looks totally different to the MTO9 and pushed as a sports tourer which the MT thats out now is not... more TDM! I don't post a lot and certainly don't start a lot of topics but this over moderation does me head in... Not the first time I've been swatted before I even get going... Phhhh! I Give up.

[Studley Ramrod]

Simples ! It's an MT-09 and NOT a TDM.  Makes sense to have all the MT-09 stuff in the same post.  Peeps posting in the wrong section is the main cause of the so called 'over moderation' and it'd make our jobs a lot easier if we didn't have to move posts as it does our heads in too !

[celticbiker]

If you have not seen the MCN test they put it third after the Triumph Street Triple and the Kawa Z800, mainly because of a very poor throttle response with the power coming in very suddenly off a closed throttle. Apparently it completely spoiled the other good characteristics. (With thanks to Tesco's newspaper display - you surely didn't think I'd actually buy the rag!)

 

Reminiscent of the FZ1 - you'd think they would have learned from that.

Reminiscent of all Yamaha FI.

There are 2 things that there test riders needs to sort out.

Fuelling and suspension.

As Dandy says, I find all yams to be under damped and poorly sprung and suffer from fade after an hour of riding, Owning Ohlins you would think this is the one thing they could get right.

[not2fast]

Simples ! It's an MT-09 and NOT a TDM.  Makes sense to have all the MT-09 stuff in the same post.  Peeps posting in the wrong section is the main cause of the so called 'over moderation' and it'd make our jobs a lot easier if we didn't have to move posts as it does our heads in too !

Then that could apply to everything. Screen topics are one of the most talked about, but there not all in one thread? Folk, newbies especially, wouldn't have owt to say if they couldn't bring up repeat topics... Snuffs the enthusiam n excitment to post. Anyhows the point of the topic I tried to start was that from what I gathered they think its a TDM replacement being revealed this fall. Just cus its might share an engine or frame don't mean its an MT? In that case everything Yam bring out with the triple is an MT..? Kawasaki Er6 / Versys same 650 engine, n other stuff but total different bikes... n topics. Anyhows, better I move on with the day...

[muddy]

Then that could apply to everything. Screen topics are one of the most talked about, but there not all in one thread? Folk, newbies especially, wouldn't have owt to say if they couldn't bring up repeat topics... Snuffs the enthusiam n excitment to post. Anyhows the point of the topic I tried to start was that from what I gathered they think its a TDM replacement being revealed this fall. Just cus its might share an engine or frame don't mean its an MT? In that case everything Yam bring out with the triple is an MT..? Kawasaki Er6 / Versys same 650 engine, n other stuff but total different bikes... n topics. Anyhows, better I move on with the day...

Perhaps here: http://www.carpe-tdm...=29389&p=180779

would be the appropriate thread?

 

Then I could say, as I did in that thread, that there can't  be a replacement for the TDM. It's unique and the things that makes it such a great bike will go when the last TDM bites the dust many years from now. Yamaha may adapt one or both of the MTs and dress them up in adventure styling, beef up the low end and mid-range and put the out as competition to the many other adventure style bikes out there, but the TDM, with it's weird looks and characterful, frugal big bore, 5 valve 270 degree crank engine, is essentially gone. Personally I think Yamaha missed a trick by not doing more with that particular engine. I would've like a TDM touring model with a 17 inch front wheel, 22 litre tank and with a Deauville style built in pannier setup. Grunt with massive mileage per tank, comfort and a smooth, vibe free ride. Sigh. 

 

Referring to you original post though, what I hope Yamaha do is use an MT-07 as the base for a utility style bike similar to the final concept of the TDM. Maybe increase capacity to 850, tweak the engine for lower end grunt and frugalise it to match the BMW twins mpg and beautify it in an S10ish styling. Then we might have something that us TDM fans could rave about. 

Edited by muddy, 12 August 2014 - 11:35 am.

[not2fast]

I'm with ya Muddy. The TDM is what it is... N a pleasure it was owning one for them reasons. As far as I was concerned I'd sooner Yam use the MT twin then the motor outta the MT09. But if the bits n bobs I've read are right, looks like they might build upon the triple. Until its out, my opinion will be muted and as ya know I've gone the big Tenere route. But I never say never to moving back down to little incy wincy TDM like bike ;-) again in the future..? Right, we really must change subject... its the 'MT09 impressions' topic afterall... ;-)

[Quartermaster]

I had an hour or so on an MT-09 a few weeks back having been persuaded by the lads at Skellern's in Worcester. Came back mightily impressed with the engine and cannot see why the press complain about the snatchy throttle as it was considerably better than my TDM. Loved the brakes, the front end and the sheer fun of riding it, light flickable and relatively fast, what's not to like? Well the seat was a plank and after an hour my bony backside had cried "enough". The display was comprehensive but difficult to see the revs which is just a black extending line around the top of the display, and of course, no fairing without additional investment.

 

 Would I buy one, well yes actually. I'm off to ride a similarly priced 675 Street Triple soon and it will make an interesting comparison and then who knows?

[Robodene]

Received information I know, but I read that the Triumph triple engines burn oil while warming up. As opposed to the TDM 900 and my MT which conserve every single drop. Put me off a T. triple a bit.

[Manx1200]

Just bought a street triple Kym, hopefully getting delivered next Monday. One of the older ones with the round headlights and lower 1st gear for added wheelyness

Will let you know what its like after the 1st ride. So now have the Guzzi for long distance touring, and the triple for days out. Oh, and the Beta for rough stuff.

[Hombre]

Hmmm, is this what Yamaha see as a replacement?

 

http://www.visordown...ming/25397.html

 

Looks like more than a mock-up.

[Hombre]

Oops! Sorry, didn't see the posted link by not2fast on the 12th. Doh!

[not2fast]

No worries Hombre.., cus ya a wouldn't of seen it buried in another topic.

[Robodene]

For those few with any interest in the 09, MCN this week reports that a re-map to change the throttle settings somehow will be available from Yamaha dealers. Yam says tis not for anyone who likes the present set-up. Once changed, it's not reverseable. ( Off-subject, I know, but next for them to deal with is the MT-7 some of which conk out for no reason).

[muddy]

For those few with any interest in the 09, MCN this week reports that a re-map to change the throttle settings somehow will be available from Yamaha dealers. Yam says tis not for anyone who likes the present set-up. Once changed, it's not reverseable. ( Off-subject, I know, but next for them to deal with is the MT-7 some of which conk out for no reason).

Don't really understand why it can't be reversed but it sounds a bit of risk. What if it makes matters worse. It's about time Yamaha started really focusing on getting the fueling right, it's there weak spot.  

[Quartermaster]

Assuming that, for once, MCN are right and this motorcycle is going to be put into production, then I for one see it as a valid re-invention of the TDM concept brought up to date and I would seriously consider buying one. Bigger tank, some wind blast protection, comfier seat, lower footrests, better instrument display, what's not to like? Bet the headlamps will be crap though!