trevorleigh
Member
OK, so yesterday I went for the first long ride on my 2 week old MT09, it started off as a short trip just to play with the suspension settings, as at 14 stone as am quite a bit heavier than the Japanese test riders. I have found with 2 extra clicks of pre-load and 2 of rebound adjustment on the rear shock stops the soft ride qualities, I am still playing with the front but 1 full turn of pre-load and 2 click of rebound make it much more stable under braking.
Here are my thought on the bike after my 200 mile ride yesterday. This was mainly faster A roads, but I also found some tight, twisty and bumpy B roads, some dual carriageway, and even a bit of M4 motorway.
The Good
Weight - The light weight of the bike makes it very easy to ride, great to hustle round fast sweeper, but equally at home on bumpy B roads and riding in town is a doddle.
Riding Position – This is very relaxed the bars are a good height, and for me at 5ft 8in the leg angle is just about right.
Handling – As above really, with the suspension firmed up a little, it is very difficult to fault it.
Comfort – After 200 miles with only 3 stops, I can say that the seat is pretty comfortable.
Wind Noise – For a naked bike (mine has the small fly screen) it is very quite at all speeds up to around 80 mph, actually even quieter than my faired FZ1 Fazer that I use for touring.
Overtaking – It is a breeze in almost any gear to dispatch traffic, even when only using 5-6000 rpm (as I am still running in).
Fuel Consumption – At the lower revs I am currently using this is pretty good, returning just over 55 mpg for the trip, I am sure this will come down a bit with normal use.
The Engine – Although I have left this till last it is the very best feature of the bike, smooth power and torque from low revs, lovely sound. I am sure this will only get better once run in and using more revs.
The Bad (and is none of it is really that bad)
Throttle Response - In anything other than B mode the throttle is very snatchy, I do not know why Yamaha cannot get this right, I think I will be able to get used to std mode, but in A mode it is pretty difficult. In towns I am always in B mode.
Weather Protection – There is none, if it rains your will get wet, very wet.
The Tacho – Very difficult to read, and the bars flashing make it worse.
Fuel Tank Range – with only 14 litres in the tank, including 3 in reserve, you are starting to look for petrol stations after about 120 miles of riding.
Overall
I think this is a great little bike, and I have a smile permanently on my face when riding it, I love the styling, the attention it gets when parked up and that engine. Just cannot wait for summer.
Fun Fun Fun
Here are my thought on the bike after my 200 mile ride yesterday. This was mainly faster A roads, but I also found some tight, twisty and bumpy B roads, some dual carriageway, and even a bit of M4 motorway.
The Good
Weight - The light weight of the bike makes it very easy to ride, great to hustle round fast sweeper, but equally at home on bumpy B roads and riding in town is a doddle.
Riding Position – This is very relaxed the bars are a good height, and for me at 5ft 8in the leg angle is just about right.
Handling – As above really, with the suspension firmed up a little, it is very difficult to fault it.
Comfort – After 200 miles with only 3 stops, I can say that the seat is pretty comfortable.
Wind Noise – For a naked bike (mine has the small fly screen) it is very quite at all speeds up to around 80 mph, actually even quieter than my faired FZ1 Fazer that I use for touring.
Overtaking – It is a breeze in almost any gear to dispatch traffic, even when only using 5-6000 rpm (as I am still running in).
Fuel Consumption – At the lower revs I am currently using this is pretty good, returning just over 55 mpg for the trip, I am sure this will come down a bit with normal use.
The Engine – Although I have left this till last it is the very best feature of the bike, smooth power and torque from low revs, lovely sound. I am sure this will only get better once run in and using more revs.
The Bad (and is none of it is really that bad)
Throttle Response - In anything other than B mode the throttle is very snatchy, I do not know why Yamaha cannot get this right, I think I will be able to get used to std mode, but in A mode it is pretty difficult. In towns I am always in B mode.
Weather Protection – There is none, if it rains your will get wet, very wet.
The Tacho – Very difficult to read, and the bars flashing make it worse.
Fuel Tank Range – with only 14 litres in the tank, including 3 in reserve, you are starting to look for petrol stations after about 120 miles of riding.
Overall
I think this is a great little bike, and I have a smile permanently on my face when riding it, I love the styling, the attention it gets when parked up and that engine. Just cannot wait for summer.
Fun Fun Fun
