By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Sport Tourer
Yamaha MT-09 (RN69) vs Tracer 9 (MY2024)
Yamaha MT-09 vs Tracer 9: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
You'll feel the Yamaha MT-09 snap into a corner off the lightest nudge on the bar. The Yamaha Tracer 9 tips in precisely and holds its arc.
So which one do you buy?
The Tracer 9 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: Tracer 9
Through rush hour, the Tracer 9 is a little easier to live with. It's down to easier everyday riding.
What makes each one tick
MT-09
There's a fat shove of torque from the MT-09's triple long before the tach gets busy. Near redline the pull doesn't fade. At a city stoplight the brake lever brings the bike down to walking pace, and its 417 lb (189 kg) won't fight you there. Its intake howls through every gear.
Nils rode the MT-09 in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
Tracer 9
The Tracer 9's triple comes in smoothly off a closed throttle, then punches hard as the revs climb toward a top-end rush. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, its upright handlebar keeps you comfortable all day. A sharp bump doesn't rattle the basic suspension, which leaves the chassis composed. The pegs stay off the asphalt.
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 470 lb (213 kg).
- The Tracer 9 has the larger fuel tank: 5.0 US gal (18.9 L) vs 3.7 US gal (14 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Off its turf: MT-09
Long days on the highway aren't the MT-09's job, so there's no verdict for it here.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both fall short
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
For twisty roads and running costs, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
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
- Thrilling CP3 triple engine
- Agile handling for a sport-tourer
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
- Throttle Position Sensor Recall (ECU reflash & TPS replacement) Recall 25V248000 Improper ECU programming can cause excessive brush wear in the throttle position sensor, leading to unstable idling, engine stalling, and a P2135 fault code. A safety recall (NHTSA 25V-248) requires ECU reflash and TPS replacement free of charge.
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
- 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) | 470 lb (213 kg) |
| MT-09 | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 5.0 US gal (18.9 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| MT-09 | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard (from 2025) |
| 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.
