Road test of YamahaMT-09 850 2017 Le roadster musclé

the 2017 season gets off to a strong start at Oli le Belge Team !!!!
Friday, March 10, 2017, the doorbell rings. Oli pops his head in and says, "Are you coming to have a look?"
Not quite knowing what it's about, I follow him and there... my jaw drops... in the enclosure is the very latest MT-09 model 2017 !!!!

oli tells me he's broken the km record, i.e. 0 km on the odometer !!!!! This little marvel has just arrived in Belgium and is still being run in.
After admiring it from every angle, I was able to try it out and here are my impressions:

design

A "Dark Side of Japan" design, a "night fluo" variation, playing on contemporary art, mixing grey, yellow, bronze and black tones... a real success that's "young'n's" at heart!

the numeric keypad is superbly integrated into the front end, with full-LED headlights similar to those on the MT-10. The result is a younger, more aggressive look. In profile, the front end blends harmoniously with the fuel tank, made more massive by the redesigned air intake duct.

also new are the scoops grafted around the radiator, to which the direction indicators are attached.

the rear of the machine is totally different from the basic roadster, being lighter. The shape of the M-shaped rear LED headlamp is new, as is the plate holder attached to the end of the swingarm on the left-hand side. Personally, I'm not a big fan, as it gives the bike a "patchwork" look.

the exhaust silencer also has a new, more dynamic design.

riding position

having ridden an MT-09 for more or less 4 years, I can say that the new riding position is somewhat different on this 2017 model.

The handlebars are straight, high and slightly pulled back towards the rider, giving the sensation of riding a supermotard. The footrests are slightly lower and further forward. The leg position is quite high and well bent, allowing good steering control. The seat is a little higher (0.5 cm), for an even better view of the road.

this MT-09 plunges forward, and the seat has been raised by 1.3 cm (on the passenger side), which is rather surprising compared to the 2013-2016 model as it forces me to press against the tank (I'm thinking especially of the gentlemen !!!!).

nevertheless, the slimness of the crotch is prolonged by the well-defined sides of the tank, which means that the legs are not very far apart.

handlebar controls

contrary to the words of Heraclitus, the greatest Greek thinker, also known as "the Obscure" (what a coincidence), on the MT-09 2017 version, "nothing changes, everything remains".

the controls are easy to use. On the left-hand commodo, the direction indicator and horn remain close together.

the monochrome display shows the time, gear engaged, fuel level, engaged mode (A, B and C), TCS traction control level, two daily trips, average and instantaneous fuel consumption and engine and air temperatures. In short, a complete package! It's worth noting that the digital instrumentation has been relocated to the headlight support for better visibility, but some of the information is hard to decipher because of its small characters (engine speed and time increments), and scrolling through it requires you to press small push-buttons on the dashboard. It's not easy when you're driving, and remote controls on the commodos would be appreciated.

the ride

I don't have much to add or change to the handling of the MT 09 2017 model. It's still very easy to ride, thanks to its slim design and low weight. The handlebars fit perfectly under the hands, but are slightly pulled back towards the rider.

suspension is as comfortable as ever, which is no mean feat given the uncomfortable saddle.

as for torque and acceleration, there's certainly nothing new, but I can't say any more than that. As the Yamaha was still in full running-in mode when I tested it, I took good care of her and didn't force anything, staying between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm. What I can say, however, is that the clutch lever has been redesigned, and is extremely flexible, making it super-easy to grip.

braking remains unchanged, as powerful and easy to modulate as ever. The Yamaha is as nimble as ever, and cornering is a real pleasure thanks to its good grip on any surface.

conclusion

Since its launch in 2013, the Yamaha MT-09 has earned a serious reputation as a muscular roadster. Light and agile, it has become a must-have thanks to its 3-cylinder engine, which is a veritable factory of sensations.
Improvements have enabled the MT-09 to preserve, if not refine, its potential and broaden its appeal.
The price of this revamped and optimized machine: €8,999...!!!! At this price, the 09 "Dark Side" should be a hit in 2017... I was delighted to rediscover the sensations experienced for almost 4 years and can only reiterate my addiction to this magnificent Roadster.

SCALLE