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Is the Yamaha MT-09 the best heavy-middle weight naked bike?

Mr. White

Mr. White

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I need more sporty in my life. I bought a 2010 Street Triple R new, that I sold a couple years into owning it and have missed it since. I have a Versys 650 now and a Tiger 1050 before that. I want a bike that is super fun and that handles great. I don't want something that I need to modify to make great. I want to buy it and :ride

The 21-22 Yamaha MT-09 gets pretty amazing reviews. Is there anything better for the $$?
 
You ever ridden a MV Brutale? Pretty reasonable used. Makes the MT seem like dullsville....
 
Z H2

OR

Ever ridden an electric superbike? Maybe try one out you might like it. Probably cost twice as much though. Energica has the EVA Ribelle and EVA SS9

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If the Ducati Streetfighter V4, which I've never ridden, is anywhere near as fun as the Streetfighter V2, which I own and love, then I'd consider the V4.
 
Get the Yamaha. Cheaper to buy and maintain and just as fun as the more expensive alternatives.
 
Blankpage said:
I suspect the best in any class of bike would be a European bike
Click to expand...

I thought the same, but many reviews say otherwise.

I should add I want to keep it in the $10K range and I want something comfortable that isn't a faux adv bike. So no superbikes or adv bikes.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!
 
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My son has an MT-08 and loves it. Easy to maintain, super fun to ride, lots of pep when you twist the throttle.
He added a quickshifter which makes a difference.
 
S1000R, Tuono, Superduke, MT-10, Streetfighter take your pick all can be found for the 10k you want to spend and are great bikes. Of course I also love my 8th gen VFR 800 :)
 
I'll admit right up front I'm biased but I really love my FZ09 which is the forerunner of the MT09. It's light has lots of horsepower lots of torque and just fun to ride. But like any motorcycle you got to make sure it's set up for you or it's not going to work out that great for you. And the most important parts of that are the suspension and the ergonomics.
 
The Triumph Street Triple R has been considered to be the best middleweight naked for a number of years.
Brembo, Showa and Ohlins components, really needs nothing straight off the showroom floor.
And that sweet, sweet triple engine!
 
I'll be that KTM guy that says it - (IMO of course) for pure fun/enjoyment, in stock form: 890R > MT09SP > 890 > MT09 > 790. But I am a Yamaha guy and will probably replace my 890R with an MT09 after the next model refresh, mostly for the reliability.

I've done some roll-ons against MT09s and I usually walk them until 90+, when their extra cylinder really starts to make a difference. The lower weight and higher low-RPM torque seem to really make a difference at legal speeds.

Haven't ridden the STriple but it's a little outclassed by both, in terms of power. Comparable HP (121 vs 117 and 121)but a substantial deficit of torque (58 vs 69 and 72).
 
:thumbup I actually just went to a KTM dealer this morning to look at a 890 Duke, but they didn't have one. I'm pretty much set on the MT09 or 890 Duke.

Edit: has your 890 not been reliable?
 
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I have a friend with a 790 adventure with very low miles and a smoked clutch which is apparently a big complaint for the mid-size adventure.

Apparently you don't ride the 790 adventure like a dirt bike or normal bike where you use the clutch for low traction or uphill line picking riding. You let the traction control and slipper do the work as using the clutch heats it up and smokes it.
Apparently the 890 is a little better as they added more oil passages to keep the clutch wetter.

Does the Duke have any of the same problems?
 
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