By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Yamaha MT-09 (RN29-StreetRally) vs MV Agusta Brutale 800 (MY2016)
Yamaha MT-09 vs MV Agusta Brutale 800: which one's easier to live with every day.
Tip the Yamaha MT-09 into a bend and it's over in a flick, its triple already shoving from low revs. The MV Agusta Brutale 800 pulls long, then wails up top.
So which one do you buy?
The MT-09 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: MT-09
Running costs lean slightly toward the MT-09. A well-kept example of either matters more.
The Brutale 800 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Inches ahead: Brutale 800
For the ride to work, the Brutale 800 noses ahead. Don't let that alone make the call.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Brutale 800
The Brutale 800 is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Credit more feel through the bars and stronger brakes.
Which one's the smarter buy
Money won't decide it
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The MT-09 costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
MT-09
Wide bars hand you leverage, and the MT-09's light aluminum frame doesn't fight you through tight city corners. Over a sharp bump at pace, there's too little damping in the fork and shock, especially on bikes built before 2017. The front wanders while the rear pogoes under hard acceleration. The intake rasps as the engine climbs.
Nils rode the MT-09 in 2014 (NastyNils Testride).
Brutale 800
A counter-rotating crank lets the Brutale 800 change direction in a hurry while its steel trellis frame keeps the front end exact. Broken pavement isn't kind to it, since the sport damping sends each bump straight up to the seat. At the brake lever there's real feel, and each stop is easy to meter. The Brembos haul it down hard.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The MT-09 has the lower wet weight: 414 lb (188 kg) vs 454 lb (206 kg).
- The MT-09 makes more peak torque: 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) vs 61 lb-ft (83 Nm).
- The MT-09 has the larger engine: 847 cc vs 798 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Look elsewhere
Neither one is where you should learn. Get a season on something gentler first.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
MT-09
What owners say
Strengths
- Thrilling CP3 engine with crossplane character
- Lightweight and agile chassis
- Excellent value for money
Trade-offs
- Snatchy throttle response in STD and A modes
- Underdamped suspension limits spirited riding
- Uncomfortable seat for long rides
Brutale 800
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful inline-three engine
- Superb braking performance
- Top-shelf components and finish
Trade-offs
- Firm suspension over rough roads
- High purchase and running costs
- Limited comfort for long rides
- Aggressive throttle response
Known problems to check before you buy
MT-09
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Brutale 800
- Electrical gremlins (switches and sensors) Intermittent electrical issues include failing sensors, warning lights, and occasional starting problems. Often linked to poor connections or sensor failure.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 9-year-old MT-09 with a 9-year-old Brutale 800.
- MT-09
- about $7,000
- Brutale 800
- about $10,800
At nine years old, the Yamaha MT-09 sits around $7,000 while the MV Agusta Brutale 800 runs about $10,800. That's a $3,800 gap in the US market. These are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-three
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| MT-09 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 414 lb (188 kg) | 454 lb (206 kg) |
| MT-09 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 847 cc | 798 cc |
| Power | 115 hp (85 kW) | 118 hp (86 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 11,500 rpm |
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) | 61 lb-ft (83 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 7,600 rpm |
| Top speed | 143 mph (230 km/h) | 147 mph (237 km/h) |
| MT-09 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 4.4 US gal (16.6 L) |
| MT-09 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 298 mm | 320 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| MT-09 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Traction Control | Standard (from 2016) | Standard |
| Front Suspension Adjustable | Standard (from 2017) | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
