There?s an all-new MT-09 SP, and it?s got more power, less weight and a shed-load of extra tech. And to mark the occasion, Boothy?s got his hands on one and had a day of skids and wheelies?

It was 2013 when the first MT-09 hit the showrooms and I doubt even Yamaha had any idea how popular it was going to be. It was the first of Yam?s ?hyper-nakeds? of which there is now eight models. The MT range ranges from 125cc to 1000cc, and Yamaha have sold over 250,000 units since they were launched. And not only that, the CP3 (three cylinder, crossplane crank) motor, originally designed and crafted for the MT-09 has been slotted into countless other chassis? and called things like XSR900, NIKEN and Tracer 900. So I think you?d agree that the MT-09 has been a massively important bike for Yamaha. It?s no surprise, then, that they have decided to give it a proper overhaul. And it is a proper overhaul too, with a new engine, a new frame and a new just about everything in between.
Crossplane

Let?s start with the engine which still has a crossplane crank and three cylinders. But that?s where the similarities end. It?s been completely redesigned and nearly all of its major internal parts are completely new, which has helped make the motor 1.7kg lighter than the old one (that?s including the new exhaust). Not only is it lighter, capacity is up by 42cc, making the new CP3 lump 889cc. Peak power is up by 4hp, at 117hp (at 10,000 rpm) and you get 93Nm of torque (at 7,000rpm).

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