Yamaha FZ09: One year on ...

[BKKBike09]

It’s a year since I picked up my FZ09 and I’ve not enjoyed any bike I’ve owned as much as this – not even the Speed Triple that was my last bike in the UK.

The stock FZ09 isn’t perfect, that’s for sure, particularly the suspension, but I’ve put in stiffer Ohlins fork springs (and heavier oil), and an Ohlins shock, and now, for me as an average rider 6’2” and 85 kgs, it’s sorted for road riding.

The stock seat was, for me, too hard and has an uncomfortable slope on it that has you constantly sliding up against the tank. I’ve had the seat remodeled locally and now it’s fine.

The fly-by-wire throttle on the 2014 models was also criticized by some riders for being snatchy when rolling on, particularly lower in the rev band. A factory re-flash pretty much sorts that out. The stock ECU is rev limited in 5^th and 6^th gears so top speed is apparently ‘only’ around 230 kmh. There are re-flashes available that can sort that but not AFAIK locally.

The stock exhaust sounds okay but, thanks to the massive cat between the headers and the muffler, has an impact on performance. I ditched it for a Yoshi full system and it made an immediate difference, not to mention looking and sounding way better. I also forked out for a PCV, a K&N filter, block off plates and various dyno tunes but, subjectively, the biggest performance difference felt like it came from the pipe change on its own. Given the apparent difficulty of getting a good custom fuel map done here for a bike like the FZ09 I’ll go out on a limb and say that, for the difference it makes in performance, if doing all this again I’d just swap the exhaust and leave it at that. I had some decel popping but not a great deal.

The highlight of the FZ09 is the engine: 847 cc crossplane crankshaft triple. It’s a fantastic motor that pulls effortlessly almost from idle through to the red line. You can be ambling along at 3000 rpm in 6^th gear and the torque is just waiting to be used. Riding in A Mode (the sportiest of the three throttle modes) and keeping the revs in the 8-10,000 band is an absolute blast.

The hp/torque figures are around 100 hp and 60 ft/lbs. Matched to a total weight of 190 kg fuelled it makes for a very quick bike. It's not going to outrun a litre sportbike on a motorway but it will keep up below 120 kmh or so. NB: Keeping the front wheel on the ground is hard work in 1^st and 2^nd if you’re gunning it.

I ride a fair amount in Bangkok and the FZ09 is a very easy big bike to filter through traffic. It doesn’t feel at all heavy, it’s narrow, and the motard-style seating position is comfortable and makes for good visibility (although the stock bars are maybe a tad upright for my liking so I’m thinking about swapping for bars that are maybe an inch lower and an inch forward). The engine heats up pretty quickly but I’ve not had any overheating problems, even when in rush hour traffic on a hot day.

It doesn’t have ABS. I know for some riders that is a deal killer. I’d like to have it but, having never owned a bike with ABS since I started riding in UK more than 25 years ago, it doesn’t bother me that much. The brakes are pretty good (I believe the front ones used to be found on mid-2000’s R6s) although I have changed the pads for HH ones.

The stock tyres are either Bridgestone or Dunlop – I have the Bridgestones (Battlax BT20) and, once they’re warmed up, they grip well. You’ll know if they're not warmed up because the rear will spin happily in 1^st and 2^nd gear without much provocation.

Initially I didn’t like the digital dash but over time I’ve got used to it, with the exception of the rev counter. I wish it was an analogue dial, not the little strip of LCDs along the top of the dash. But on the plus side you get a gear position indicator, a clock, engine temp, air temp, average fuel etc. One thing I don’t like is that when you get to the tank reserve, instead of telling you how much further you can go, it tells you how far you’ve gone since hitting reserve. The tank holds 17 litres which is good for about 200 km before hitting reserve (which gives about another 30-40 km).

This isn’t a touring bike and there’s a conspicuous absence of tie points for bungees. I tend to use a tank bag and/or a backpack. There are aftermarket hard panniers. If touring was my main objective I wouldn’t buy an FZ09; there are other options that are much capable in that department.

It’s a shame the pricing here isn’t better. At THB 435,000 I feel it’s the wrong side of 400,000; if it was 399,000 then, for a CBU import, it would be much more attractive. I guess that’s why, in a year, I’ve seen precisely three other 09’s on the road.

For the money I’ve now spent on mine I could have bought a Hypermotard, another excellent bike. But I like tinkering and some of the stock elements of the FZ09 are so hideous (indicators, number plate holder) that you really can’t stop yourself. The Hypermotard is beautifully put together but, for instance, there is almost no room under the seat. On the FZ09 there’s not a lot of room, but there is enough for a disk lock, some bungees, cloths etc. There isn’t however a helmet lock.

Yamaha sales and service is still an issue. I’m “lucky” because I live in Bangkok, although I understand that the Ratchada showroom and service centre is supposed to be moving to some way out (for me) location in N Bangkok. That’s going to be a real pain. To put it in perspective, though, when I lived in London the nearest Triumph dealer was a fair trek and it’s not as if in Bangkok there are dozens of dealers for other big bike manufacturers.

Summing up, my view on the FZ09 is that, with a little bit of work, it’s a great daily ride that just barely muffles its hooligan tendencies. By all accounts the Hypermotard and Street Triple R are good to go right out of the box; the FZ09 benefits considerably from some tweaking.

Anyone looking for a powerful and rideable naked bike and who has the time, inclination and dosh to spend on mods should take a long hard look at the FZ09 (and also the Kawa Z800).

Put it in A Mode, grab some throttle and try to keep the grin off your face.

Ride safe.

[Dutchbike]

Excellent report on this ( as you mention) not so common bike in Thailand.

[OmegaRacer]

Nice one, thanks!

[eeeya]

good read. thanks.

Price / dealer support and lack of ABS is a deal killer for me. Why doesnt yamaha lift their game and have a better presence in Thailand other than the scooters? Big bikes are a growing market!

[eisfeld]

Excellent one year round-up! Thanks a lot.

I am really interested in the MT-09 Tracer but have two concerns that you might be able to shed some light on:

1. Vibrations, are there any noticeable/annoying vibrations and in what rev range?

2. Heat, sure a big engine heats up but is it uncomfortably hot? Where do you feel the heat?

Also if you could tell us the service intervals and costs, would be helpful.

[BKKBike09]

^

1. Vibration - I've not noticed any through the bars or pegs in any gear or particular segment of the rev range. I cruise quite happily at 120-130 kmh in 5th or 6th gear at around 5-6,000 rpm. Faster than that and the lack of wind protection gets tiring. The Tracer should be much better for cruising thanks to the fairing.

2. Heat - it's not uncomfortably hot. It gets hot, sure, but what is 'hot' anyway? It's all very subjective. What seems reasonable to me may seem very different to someone else. Like I say it's not overheated so I guess that counts for something.

Servicing at a dealer always seems expensive to me - THB 1500 or so I think it was for the 1,000 km oil change, because they charge an arm and a leg for the oil. A lot cheaper to do it yourself but of course that might give rise to warranty issues. How good the Yamaha mechanics are I don't know i.e. do they always torque to spec etc?

[DILLIGAD]

Just read a good report on the tracer in Ride magazine.

Outcome was a great bike if you spend extra money on suspension & new tyres then you"d have a good fast touring machine.

[nikster]

Great report!

It's still baffling Yamaha doesn't offer an upgraded version of this bike with good suspension etc. If these can be fitted aftermarket, it would be that much cheaper and easier for them to do it upfront...

[JonnyF]

Agree with Nikster, something like a MT09R (ala the Street Triple R) with fully adjustable forks, better shock etc would be a good seller IMO.

[DILLIGAD]

Agree with Nikster, something like a MT09R (ala the Street Triple R) with fully adjustable forks, better shock etc would be a good seller IMO.

+1

[BKKBike09]

I suspect Yamaha may address the suspension at some point but - pure guess here - only to put stiffer springs in the forks (8.5-9.0 N/mm up from stock 7.5) and maybe soften the damping on the shock.

It cost me about THB 30,000 to swap the shock and the springs/fork oil, and it's made a huge difference to handling in corners and on poor surfaces. That's the cheapest and most basic upgrade (i.e. no re-valving; shock only has preload+rebound), especially as far as the forks are concerned. I'd recommend this without reservation but would be less inclined to advise swapping the fork cartridges and putting on a fully adjustable shock unless the bike is primarily going to be used on the track.

[DILLIGAD]

You"d have thought that bringing out the Tracey, which is more touring inspired would be the ideal time to change the suspension

[eisfeld]

They did change the suspension to make it a bit stiffer but from what you can read around the net, it's not perfect yet.

BTW BKKBike09, can you comment on load changes (if that's the right word, I mean when going from engine breaking to accelleration and vice versa)? I've read they can be a bit annoying.

I gotta get a test ride somewhere!

[BKKBike09]

^ I wasn't aware that the 2015 FZ09 had any suspension changes at all. Maybe worth double checking. This article says not:

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/yamaha/2015-yamaha-fz-09-new-improved-fuel-injection.html

This article also talks about the ECU changes for the 2015 bike (which I had flashed onto mine by Yamaha here). The original fuelling was quite prone to on/off transitions at low RPM. To be fair to Yamaha I think some of that was to do with having to meet emissions standards. Fuelling on the 2015 bike is much better. That said I used to ride in A Mode all the time before I had the flash if only because it was a lot of fun and it taught respect for the throttle inputs.

Back on the suspension. I just found this vid which, together with the comments, puts across the other point of view - that the talk about terrible suspension is overdone and that there are people who are quite happy riding with stock.

The guy's comment is a good one:

"I've had a 2004 R6 that I bought brand new in 04' and put over 45k on that bike in 3 years, and then had a ex-AMA 190HP Suzuki GSXR 1000 Superbike bought from an AMA team in CA that was not street legal and only used for track days. I live 45 minutes from VIR and less than 2 hours from Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC. So we did a lot of track riding. But honestly, the FZ-09 is the most fun bike I've ever owned. My FZ is far from stock but even in stock trim I think its one of the most exciting bikes released from Japan in the past 5 years. The triple cylinder motor is badass with massive torque and it handles like its on rails. You can watch any of my ride videos on my channel to see how capable the stock suspension is. Its not nearly as bad as the internet makes it seem. Half the guys complaining can't ride the bike hard enough to even know the difference."

Get that test ride in!

[soihok]

Nice summary and I like the changes you have made

I have covered about 7000 km on my MT since buying it last October (in Singapore).

Rear shock is Maxton NR4 - transformed the bike and shows up the front end now. Saying that, I don't go over 100kph, the law here is 90kph and I am already 50% of the way to losing my driving license.

Exhaust is full Akra and sounds great.

No other mods other than GBRacing engine case covers.

I had the remapping done free at the dealer. It would have been better if the new map was only to the STD mode, I like to use A mode but its quite annoying when making a flying start as I have noticed a great dollop of power coming in at 4000 rpm where as before power was instant.

The new map has made STD mode 100% better though, but I do miss the madness off the throttle at a stand still in A mode.

I ride the bike every day, rain or shine. Great bike for town, small and powerful. Riding position suits town also (unlike a sports bike).

Cheers

[BKKBike09]

Thanks. If I lived in Singapore i'd have to limit myself to a Honda C90 because of the speed limit enforcement. Luckily here that's not an issue. In fact, we're actually done a favour by being denied access to the tollways because that's where most of the speed traps are

[soihok]

Thanks. If I lived in Singapore i'd have to limit myself to a Honda C90 because of the speed limit enforcement. Luckily here that's not an issue. In fact, we're actually done a favour by being denied access to the tollways because that's where most of the speed traps are

I am happy you chose a C90, if you had chosen a Phantom I would have really had my doubts about you..

[BKKBike09]

A pic showing most of the bits I've pulled off / swapped out … The stock indicators are so hideous I couldn't keep them.

[soihok]

Nice one.

[BKKBike09]

Saw the yellow FZ09 at Yamaha Ratchada yesterday. I like it (though not the FZ09 graphic on the fake air scoop).

2015 models also have a yellow spring for the shock presumably for that Ohlins lookalike factor.

[soihok]

Cheers.

Don't be fooled, it may be a yellow spring but it is still the same soft pogo stick.

[Chris Botha]

I have a 2015, blazing orange MT-09. ive put about 3500 very hard km's on it and not had any issue with suspension. If you are fat >90kg you will have issues, under that its ok. it shudders a little if you brake hard into a corner or trail brake (which is how I'm used to rinding my MT-01)

Its a fun bike. if you have the ecu flashed by Ben in Sydney ($250) he sets the startup mode to always be A mode, removes the ADR throttle issues and removes the limiter in 5th and 6th. a stock bike will reach then reach 245km/h if you have enough road, but generally it only fetched 190-220, because 220 to 245 is difficuly, you dont have much left in her then.

Any riders here near Bangsaen area?

[bramds]

The bike is coming with ABS by the end of the year, no idea of the price, hope it stays the same at least.

[BKKBike09]

The Yamaha Riders Club Thailand FB page now has a post saying the ABS 09 will retail for 399,000 ...

[soihok]

Nice one.

[DILLIGAD]

Wonder what they will do "Tracey" for?

[GARYZX6R]

New price is 399,000 bht inc ABS

happy days..

[soihok]

Bargain (for Big Bike Thai prices).

[DILLIGAD]

There will be a new Yamaha big bike dealers opening in a month or 3 in Ubon. Spoke to the guy who will manage the place today.

[soihok]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/first-rides-tests/2016/february/yamaha-mt-09-first-ride/

2016 MT-09 first road test.

New colours and traction control (not needed in my opinion)