By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Yamaha MT-09 (RN87-SP) vs Triumph Street Triple (L67LR)
Yamaha MT-09 vs Triumph Street Triple: which one to buy, and what actually separates them.
On a cold morning's first full-throttle pull, the Yamaha MT-09 snarls with a rough mechanical note, yet there's barely a tingle in the bars. The Triumph Street Triple pulls hard through the middle of the revs and doesn't let up. Up top, it rushes on under its intake roar.
So which one do you buy?
The MT-09 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: MT-09
The MT-09 edges it for the daily grind. It's a small gap, not a reason on its own.
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: MT-09
The MT-09 comes out a little ahead on upkeep. Only a little.
What makes each one tick
MT-09
From the opening bend, the MT-09 seats you down inside its chassis instead of perching you on top. It's still eager to play. Out of a bend, you're back on the throttle early, and the triple answers with drive that builds in an even line. The triple's pulse keeps tugging you toward the next exit.
Nils rode the MT-09 in Austria in 2025 (NastyNils Testride).
Street Triple
There's a steady stream of feedback from the Street Triple's chassis, yet it never gets nervous. On the Angeles Crest Highway, the sporty geometry snaps the bike into each bend, and it doesn't wander once it's leaned over. Upright seating keeps it civil. Its aluminum frame flicks from one switchback to the next.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Street Triple has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 32.5 in (825 mm).
- The Street Triple has the lower wet weight: 403 lb (183 kg) vs 428 lb (194 kg).
- The MT-09 makes more peak power: 119 hp (88 kW) vs 105 hp (78 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
Count twisty roads as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
MT-09
Strengths
- Standout Triple For Back Roads
- Big Brakes, Light Lever
- Quickshifter You Forget About
- Settled From The First Corner
- Upright Comfort For All Day
Trade-offs
- Less Planted At High Speed
- Down On Grunt To Fours
- SP Suspension Rewards Hard Use
- Seat comfort remains firm on long journeys
Street Triple
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful triple engine
- Superb handling and chassis
- Improved reliability over first generation
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 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 428 lb (194 kg) | 403 lb (183 kg) |
| MT-09 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 890 cc | 675 cc |
| Power | 119 hp (88 kW) | 105 hp (78 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 11,850 rpm |
| Torque | 69 lb-ft (93 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,000 rpm | 9,750 rpm |
| MT-09 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 4.6 US gal (17.4 L) |
| MT-09 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 298 mm | 310 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| MT-09 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Front Suspension Adjustable | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
