By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Sport Tourer
Yamaha MT-09 (RN69) vs Tracer 9 (MY2021)
Yamaha MT-09 vs Tracer 9: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
You'll find the Yamaha MT-09 easy to steer around at walking pace, but it isn't the bike for a long day. On the Yamaha Tracer 9, the upright stance and plush seat keep you settled from breakfast to dusk. Your passenger stays comfortable right through it, too.
What makes each one tick
MT-09
Down low, the MT-09's triple shoves like a big twin, then its intake howls up into a four-cylinder rush near the top. With only 417 lb (189 kg) to haul, the bike doesn't fight you through the switchbacks of the Angeles Crest Highway. It darts through city gaps.
Nils rode the MT-09 in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
Tracer 9
Behind the fairing, the Tracer 9's triple hauls from low revs and won't stop building into a top-end rush. There's no lurch as the power comes in, just a smooth swell that never overwhelms the chassis. It carves bends like a sportbike. Each twist of the throttle swells the induction roar.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Tracer 9 has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 32.5 in (825 mm).
- The MT-09 has the lower wet weight: 417 lb (189 kg) vs 463 lb (210 kg).
- The Tracer 9 has the larger fuel tank: 4.8 US gal (18 L) vs 3.7 US gal (14 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Sits this out: MT-09
Leave the MT-09 out of any touring plans. Big miles aren't what it's made for.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both fall short
Both of these ask too much of a rookie. Spend your first year on something lighter.
They come out level on commuting, twisty roads, and running costs. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
MT-09
What owners say
Strengths
- CP3 engine character
- Class-leading electronics package
- Light wet weight
- Reliability rating from owners
Trade-offs
- ABS abrupt under hard braking
- Cosmetic build niggles
- Mirror vibration above 6,000 rpm
- Mode 4 power cap effectively unusable
- Standard seat is firm and "slippery"
Tracer 9
What owners say
Strengths
- Punchy CP3 triple engine
- All-day comfort for two
- Excellent value for money
Known problems to check before you buy
MT-09
- Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) wear causing unstable idle/stalling (recall 25V-248) Recall 25V248000 Worn TPS due to excessive brush sliding from improper ECU programming leads to unstable idling, throttle hesitation, and stalling. Yamaha recall (NHTSA 25V-248) requires TPS replacement and ECU reflash for affected units.
- Engine stalling due to ECU programming (recall 22V-130) Recall 22V130000 Improper ECU programming can cause engine to stall unexpectedly, particularly when clutch lever not pulled fully or at small throttle openings from idle. Affects all 2021-2022 MT-09 models; Yamaha recall issued March 2022 for ECU reflash.
Tracer 9
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 4-year-old MT-09 with a 4-year-old Tracer 9.
- MT-09
- about $8,300
- Tracer 9
- about $10,600
At four years old, the Yamaha MT-09 sits around $8,300 while the Yamaha Tracer 9 runs about $10,600. That's a $2,300 gap in the MT-09's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 890 cc
- Engine
- Inline-three
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 119 hp (88 kW)
- Peak power at
- 10,000 rpm
- Torque
- 69 lb-ft (93 Nm)
- Peak torque at
- 7,000 rpm
- Fuel economy
- 47 mpg (US) / 5 L/100 km
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| MT-09 | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 417 lb (189 kg) | 463 lb (210 kg) |
| MT-09 | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
| MT-09 | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 56.3 in (1430 mm) | 59.1 in (1500 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| MT-09 | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Not offered | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| Navigation | Option | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Not offered | Option |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
