Spin Forged Wheels: Yamaha MT-09’s Secret Weapon
- Nov 3, 2024
- Views : 463
The inline triple surely isn’t the most commonplace engine configurations out there, but it’s almost certainly one of the best sounding. We’re happy to see these engines live on in the Euro 5 era, first in the Triumph Street Triple, and now also in the Yamaha MT-09, which has just been updated for the 2021 model year with a cleaner burning motor. So, how does the new hypernaked from the ‘dark side’ take on the comparable Triumph Street Triple R?
Engine
2021 Yamaha MT-09 |
Triumph Street Triple R |
|
Engine |
890cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline-triple |
765cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline-triple |
Bore x Stroke |
78 x 62mm |
77.99 x 53.38mm |
Compression Ratio |
11.5:1 |
12.5:1 |
Power |
119PS @ 10000rpm |
118PS @ 12000rpm |
Torque |
93Nm @ 7000rpm |
79Nm @ 9350rpm |
Gearbox |
6-speed |
6-speed |
You might wonder how Triumph has managed to achieve an almost identical power output despite being a significant 125cc down on displacement, and the answer to that is the Street Triple’s more high-revving oversquare motor. At the end of the day, there really is no replacement for engine displacement and that shows in the MT-09’s superior torque figure. Thanks to its less oversquare architecture and lower compression ratio, the Yammie’s motor is likely to feel more relaxed too.
Underpinnings
2021 Yamaha MT-09 |
Triumph Street Triple R |
|
Frame |
Diamond Frame |
Aluminium Twin-spar Frame |
Rake/Trail |
25 degrees/108mm |
23.5 degrees/98.3mm |
Suspension |
F: KYB 41mm upside-down fork, fully-adjustable, 130mm travel |
F: Showa 41mm upside-down fork, fully-adjustable R: Showa monoshock, fully-adjustable |
Tyres |
F: 120/70 ZR17 R: 180/55 ZR17 |
F: 120/70 ZR17 R: 180/55 ZR17 |
Brakes |
F: Twin 298mm disc brakes, 4-piston calipers R: 245mm disc brake |
F: Twin 310mm disc brakes, Brembo 4-piston monoblock calipers |
In this department, it’s the Trumpet that seems to have the upper hand. With a sharper rake angle and shorter trail, the Street Triple should be the more agile bike of the pair. It edges ahead in the braking department too. Bigger discs and hardware from Italian specialist Brembo should make it the better stopper.
Dimensions and Weights
2021 Yamaha MT-09 |
Triumph Street Triple R |
|
Wheelbase |
1430mm |
1405mm |
Kerb Weight |
189kg |
168kg (Dry) |
Seat Height |
825mm |
825mm |
Fuel Tank Capacity |
14-litres |
17.4-litres |
Take into account the Triumph’s pretty sizeable 17.4-litre fuel tank, and the Triple’s kerb weight will be quite a bit more than the 168kg dry weight figure, putting it pretty close to the MT’s 189kg. Both bikes have a somewhat lofty 825mm seat height, but Triumph offers a lower seat option of 780mm.
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