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2014–2017 · Naked Bike · A variant of the MT-09
Sold in the US as Yamaha FZ-09 Street Rally
Differences between the standard MT-09 and the Street Rally
Dirt-Trim Triple With Soul
The MT-09, also badged FZ-09, is Yamaha's 847 cc inline-three in a compact aluminum trellis frame, and it sits at the wild end of the middleweight naked class. On paper, 115 hp and 65 lb-ft look ordinary. On the road, the triple pulls hard from low revs and keeps building to the top, which is the rising torque curve a naked bike should have. At 414 lb (188 kg) wet with a 32.3 in (820 mm) seat, it feels closer to a big supermoto than a roadster. What sets it apart is the contrast between clinical Japanese assembly and a genuinely feral ride.
It ages the way good Japanese hardware does. Nothing rattles and nothing develops a buzz at a certain rpm. The aftermarket for this bike is huge, which matters because the stock fork and shock are the first things owners outgrow. If you're shopping used, confirm the handlebar clamp recall for 2015–2017 bikes has been done, and check for O2 sensor or throttle position sensor faults. This bike is for the rider who wants something light and flickable that turns a short ride into an event. If you're leaving a sportbike for more comfort and a calmer pace, keep looking.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 115 hp (85 kW) @ 10,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) @ 8,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 847 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 298 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.7 in (1440 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 414 lb (188 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 gal (14 L) |
| Top speed | 143 mph (230 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 43 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
The MT-09 Street Rally (RN29-StreetRally) builds on the standard MT-09: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
| Spec | Standard MT-09 | Street Rally | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 130 mph | 143 mph | +12 mph |
Over the years I've heard a lot of MT-09 talk: paddock conversations, owner chats at bike nights, club-night chatter over coffee, and the steady stream of emails and messages riders send me directly. On this first-generation bike the pattern holds steady. Owners love the engine and the price and rate the chassis as light and eager. The complaints come back to the same short list: an abrupt throttle, soft suspension and a seat that gives up early.
No trait comes up more often than the engine. Riders consistently describe the crossplane triple as explosive from low revs, with torque that arrives right away and a rush at the top end that keeps them coming back. Many say they never have to chase revs to go quickly, and several point out that the low weight makes it feel faster still. The exhaust note gets almost as much attention as the pull. Owners put its acceleration close to supersport territory from an upright seat. Value is the second recurring theme. For the money, riders say they got more performance and better components than rivals that made less power and weighed more. Fuel use surprises people too, with real-world figures around 43 mpg US. Owners also regard the engine as mechanically tough and report no pattern of failures.
Handling earns the next round of praise. Owners describe the bike as flickable and easy to trust in corners, helped by the leverage of the wide handlebar. It changes direction quickly, ground clearance is generous, and riders say it stays manageable at walking pace despite the performance. The complaints start when the pace goes up. Riders keep saying that the stock fork and shock don't have enough damping for the power. They call the front high and vague and say the rear pumps under hard acceleration and gets flustered when pushed. The criticism covers both ends of the bike, and it's one of the points owners have raised with me most often about this generation.
The most repeated gripe is throttle response. Riders describe the ride-by-wire as jerky when opening from closed, especially in the Standard and A modes, which makes smooth corner exits hard work at low revs and part throttle. Some also mention an abrupt change in engine braking where the fuel cut comes in, above roughly 4,500 rpm. Owners say a later ECU update helped without curing it. Many simply ride in B mode, which they find noticeably smoother in town. Beyond that, a set of smaller complaints keeps coming up. The thin, hard seat leaves riders numb after about an hour. The front brake has enough power, riders say, but the lever feels wooden and there's little initial bite. With no screen, highway miles get tiring fast, and the 3.7 gal (14 L) tank gives roughly 120 to 160 miles (190 to 260 km) between fill-ups. Owners also note there's no slipper clutch, and aggressive downshifts can lock the rear wheel.
Handlebar clamp recall (2015-2017 models)
A safety recall affecting certain 2015-2017 MT-09 (FZ-09) motorcycles where the handlebar clamps may loosen, posing a crash risk. Owners should contact dealers for inspection and repair.
Excessively aggressive throttle response causing jerky on/off transitions
The ECU's fuel mapping creates abrupt power delivery during throttle transitions. In A and Standard modes, small throttle movements cause disproportionate power changes. Fuel cut functionality above ~4,500 rpm shuts off injectors during deceleration, then reapplies fuel abruptly when RPM drops — creating a pronounced jerk. Most problematic at low speeds in urban riding. Yamaha partially addressed this with a revised ECU map for 2015, and offered free reflash to 2014 owners. Some 2014 units shipped with improved mapping. Aftermarket ECU flashing (2 Wheel DynoWorks, vcyclenut, Ivan's Performance) available for ~$350 USD.
Intermittent engine cutout at idle and during low-speed deceleration
Engine cuts out at traffic lights, during slow maneuvering, or when decelerating to a stop. The ECU reduces fuel supply too aggressively near idle. Related to throttle body synchronization issues in some cases. Problem can worsen in hot weather.
Throttle position sensor malfunction causing hesitation, surging, or stalling
TPS wiring or connectors may become damaged, loose, or corroded, sending faulty or no signals to the ECU. Symptoms include hesitation, surging, stalling, or poor performance. Can trigger fault codes.
Stock front fork and rear shock lack adequate damping for performance
Front fork too soft in compression and rebound for the bike's power and weight. Rear shock loses damping control under aggressive use. Dive under braking is excessive. Rear end feels unsettled over bumps. Multiple aftermarket suspension companies (K-Tech, Öhlins, YSS, Nitron) offer complete replacement units, indicating strong market demand for upgrades.
O2 sensor failures when exposed to heavy rain or pressure washing
The O2 sensor is vulnerable to water ingress. Heavy rain, deep puddles, or pressure washing can cause sensor failure, triggering engine warning light and poor running. The sensor's position makes it susceptible to road spray. At low constant throttle, O2 sensor cycling between lean/rich creates lumpy engine running. Solutions include O2 sensor eliminator, Power Commander, or ECU flash that disables O2 sensor cycling at low RPM.
Where this Yamaha MT-09 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the MT-09 is actually built for.
Tight canyon sections are a riot, and the triple pulls hard out of every bend. On fast, open sweepers it gets busy, so budget for suspension work if precision is what you're after.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail Scenic Byway · Big Sur Coast Highway
Hundreds of tight bends in a row is exactly where this light, flickable chassis shines. Just expect the ride there to feel longer than the Dragon itself.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Yamaha MT-09. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2018–2020
The Triple That Rides Light
Competitor · 2016–2018
Italian Fire, Street Ready
Roughly $4,000 pricier used than this bike at 9 yr
Competitor · 2013–2016
Triple That Carves Clean
Roughly $1,200 pricier used than this bike at 10 yr
Competitor · 2013–2017
Honest Speed, Zero Drama
Roughly $1,800 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.
