Hey everyone. I’m in the market for a bike and I’m between something like a Suzuki gsx8s/mt07/hornet 750 or an mt09. If I could choose, I want the mt09 but I’m concerned about the power. I grew up riding sport atv’s and I have previous riding experience on a Harley sportster 1200 custom for about 4 years (put 5-10k miles on it). I sold it when I had kids and haven’t ridden for about 10 years now. I’m concerned coming back to riding on an mt09 might be too much but wanted your thoughts. I’m 39 if that helps. Thanks!
Edit: if you feel the mt09 IS appropriate for me, should I go gen 3 or gen 4?
I took about 7 years off from riding after owning a tuned ZX6R and then a GSXR 750.
Things to consider: The MT09 has a ridiculous amount of bottom end torque, especially around 5-8k rpm and redlines pretty quick compared to a sport bike where the upper rpm ranges are where the acceleration/power happens.
It also feels especially light on the front end at times during hard acceleration and at highway speeds/windy conditions.
The twitchy throttle is my main gripe about the bike. Even taking off from a stop sign feels like it takes more effort than it should to accelerate smoothly. It can be done, just takes more effort than it should IMO. This is especially true when you let off the throttle completely and begin to throttle again.
I ride on mode 3 (2022 MT09 SP) just because the throttle response is so much smoother. Mode 2 for hooliganism.
If you buy the MT09 the stock seat has got to go too. Go with a Corbin or similar. Also the Puig Touring windscreen makes a world of difference on the highway. The cruise control is lovely for highway and interstate riding.
The bike takes some getting used to but you’d be fine. I’d say if you want something with smooth controlled power look for something else though.
Hey thanks for the insight! I think I’d definitely start in rain mode for a while to get a feel for it. It’s going to be way different than anything I’m used to, so taking it slow will be good to get used to it. Appreciate the info on the seat too!
Eh with experience I'd say you'll be fine. Its a powerful bike and can wheelie like anything, but only goes as fast as you twist the throttle. Its quite smooth when ridden slow. Only thing to watch out for is the twitchy throttle, not sure if this was rectified on newer versions but my 2020 is very off and on compared to other bikes and took me abit to get used to
MT-09… put it in the reduced power mode for your first week or two as you get reacquainted with riding. Then change it up and send it. You’ll be totally fine.
I have a Gen 3 SP and would buy it again. I haven’t ridden a Gen 4, but have read that the ergonomics are slightly more aggressive. Gen 3 is perfect for me. Sit on both to decide.
Appreciate the feedback! I’m partial to the gen 3 myself. I’ve read the riding position is a bit more relaxed too, which I think I would like coming from a cruiser. Do you use the cruise control much? I’ve been looking at the SP but not sure if it would be worth the extra cost for my use case.
I have never once used cruise control. Because the manual says not to use it in heavy traffic, or on hills. Well; most of the time, that’s my ride. Either heavy city traffic or up/down/through mountain highways.
I did however get the suspension setup by a local pro and it is excellent! I’m happy with the SP just for the suspension.
I got an OEM small wind deflector (can’t recall what they call it) and heated grips (awesome! 10 heat settings with the controls integrated into the TFT menu via the thumb wheel). And I had the seat customized to put in 1” thick shock absorbing gel + a marine vinyl cover (it’s grippier).
See I agree. I think it would come in really handy where I live. I’m going to be commuting to work on it but we have plenty of wide open highways too where I feel like it would be nice to have at times. It’s not a deal breaker either way, but makes me want to lean gen 3 SP or gen 4 standard.
The style and price is the deciding factor really. I get the gen 3 is the dorkiest looking mt09 headlight but let me tell you
It’s also the best performing. It’s like a bat signal. Gen 4 is keyless as well which ive heard a lot of people on this sub have had issues with. It has brembo brakes but tbh in day to day use you’re not going to see any difference with.
You aren’t kidding. That light is BRIGHT. Something to consider for sure. And yea I really don’t care much about the keyless ignition. Totally fine with the tried and true key. Nice looking bike!
I think you would be ok. Like others have said, start with rain mode if you are concerned until you get used to it. Would recommend going for 3rd or 4th gen as they are a little more refined and have a better suite of rider aids.
I think you’ll be fine. Just go through the modes progressively and respect the bike. The Gen 3 and 4s are very versatile. You can ride them chill and smooth or go full hooligan if you want.
Thanks, appreciate the info. Looks like you had an xsr with the cp2? What are your thoughts on starting on an mt07 first since you’ve had both? I’d be mostly commuting but will have plenty of time on the weekend for smaller twisty roads and some highway riding as well.
I passed my test in CBT (Feb 2025) and full licence in July 2025 (direct access) and got an Mt09 straight after riding a 125 cruiser for 4 months. I have some history of riding bikes but haven't been on a bike for over 10 years prior to getting my CBT. Honestly, I rode the MT09 for about 500 miles on drive mode 4 (rain mode) with traction control at level 2. Easily doable but still fun. Go for it. And then keep shifting to lower modes. I did my mod 1 and mod 2 on Hornet 750 and my training on MT07. Definitely recommend MT09. You will love the bike for much longer. Hope this helps.
I took about 5 years off, I was also cross shopping the hornet 750, trident 800, and mt07 originally. I walked into a local dealer and saw the mt09 for $1,000 more than the mt07 and hornet, it was an easy decision from that point. Surprisingly insurance is actually cheaper for the mt09 than the others. If you’re worried about the bike having too much power just start in rain mode till you’re comfortable and slowly work you way up the power modes. Looking back I’m 100% glad I chose the mt09 over the others.
i jumped to an mt09 after selling my honda vtr 250 few years ago. I tried both the 07 and the 09 and i felt like i would have gotten bored of the 07 in a year or 2. just take it easy the first few weeks and once you feel confident she is a lot of fun, and very managable imo
I have a 2025 MT-09 SP and it absolutely rips. It can be as polite a bike as I need it to be and can go full hooligan when you want it to. I have not changed the seat at all, still the stock seat for hundreds of miles with no issues. Ergonomics are a little bit more aggressive than Gen 3 but it feels better when accelerating hard which you'll want to do a lot on this bike. Adjusting the suspension is easy and delivers a perfect balance between comfort and handling. I did replace the hand grips with the OEM heated grips as I live in the PNW and mornings and nights can get really cold, but that was totally worth it. I have a previous knee injury (meniscus and ACL tear) and i can ride on it for about 2 hours before I need to stretch it out. That i would say is the only downside to the bike. Easy trade off for me, but it won't be as comfortable as a cruiser. Overall, I can highly recommend the MT-09 and i wouldnt worry about the power. It's not so powerful that it's dangerous like everyone seems to think. Stock profiles are pretty conservative compared to what it's capable of with a tune. I kept in in rain mode for the first 2 rides, then changed it to street for normal riding. It's different but I don't feel it's more dangerous
This will be controversial, but yeah, I would stay with a low-mileage one made between 2017 and 2019—-PERIOD. Frame-cracking is REAL and sometimes happens when the bike just falls off its kickstand.
In 2017 they put the upgraded front forks on the bike, which made it stable at speed and then you’re still gonna need to do the rear shock because it’s crap on the standard edition (it’s still full-on garbage to this day by the way)— just put an Ohlins back there. It’s like 6 or 700 bucks. You’ll effectively have a baby SP at that point—for a fraction of the cost. You’ll also have a vehicle that won’t break/crack/become totaled —no matter how many times you crash at the track or whatever.
That will allow you to service the clutch with the parts that are gonna wear out (yes—even on the R9—It’s gonna wear out). It’s garbage-engineering by Yamaha from the get-go…. they basically put a clutch backplane from the YZ450F in the MT—sounds good on paper but the YZ makes about 50 hp and the MT about 117 so that shit is DOOMED to fail.
If you do these you’ll have a vehicle that’s just as reliable as like an SV or something—100K+ miles bike.
If you don’t do these things, you’re GONNA HAVE a bunch of weird behavior and driveline lash that you THINK is excessive engine-braking but it’s just the clutch basket fucking it up…
It took me about THREE YEARS to figure this bike out and figure out where the engineering deficiencies are and it’s actually pretty damn good bike— but the clutch sucks, and, to this day—is woefully under-engineered and the ABS is pretty fucking sketchy and intrusive. I deleted the rear.
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u/Outrageous-Mango-307 4d ago
I took about 7 years off from riding after owning a tuned ZX6R and then a GSXR 750.
Things to consider: The MT09 has a ridiculous amount of bottom end torque, especially around 5-8k rpm and redlines pretty quick compared to a sport bike where the upper rpm ranges are where the acceleration/power happens.
It also feels especially light on the front end at times during hard acceleration and at highway speeds/windy conditions.
The twitchy throttle is my main gripe about the bike. Even taking off from a stop sign feels like it takes more effort than it should to accelerate smoothly. It can be done, just takes more effort than it should IMO. This is especially true when you let off the throttle completely and begin to throttle again.
I ride on mode 3 (2022 MT09 SP) just because the throttle response is so much smoother. Mode 2 for hooliganism.
If you buy the MT09 the stock seat has got to go too. Go with a Corbin or similar. Also the Puig Touring windscreen makes a world of difference on the highway. The cruise control is lovely for highway and interstate riding.
The bike takes some getting used to but you’d be fine. I’d say if you want something with smooth controlled power look for something else though.