Yamaha MT-09 SP 900 2022 — Specifications

Who remembers the first MT-09 and its marshmallow-soft suspension? Yamaha, clearly, remembers very well. The SP version of the 2022 MT-09 900 arrives with a clear mission: deliver the same unapologetically brutal temperament, but with a chassis finally capable of keeping up. And on paper, the contract appears fulfilled.

The 889 cc triple remains the heart of the project. With 119 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 93.2 Nm of torque available from just 7,000 rpm, this CP3 engine pulls hard, pulls early, and never needs to be asked twice. The power is unleashed with a joyful brutality that pins the rider to the seat with every twist of the throttle. In terms of pure performance, a 225 km/h top speed and a 190 kg wet weight place the Japanese machine at the top of the pack against a Triumph Street Triple RS or a Ducati Monster, two direct rivals that pull no punches. Good news for A2 license holders: a dedicated electronic module brings power down to 70 kW, with the option of restricting it to 35 kW. Enough to let new riders taste the most refined version in the MT-09 lineup without waiting two years.

What truly sets the SP apart from its standard sibling is the suspension. The 41 mm KYB inverted fork features DLC-coated tubes, a coating that reduces friction and improves the fluidity of movement across 130 mm of travel. Adjustable in compression, rebound, and preload, it offers a genuine playground for demanding riders. At the rear, Yamaha switched suppliers by entrusting the role to a fully adjustable Öhlins mono-shock, with 122 mm of travel and a remote preload adjuster accessible without tools. The gain in rigidity and precision over the standard equipment is tangible. For braking, the setup remains conventional but effective, with two 298 mm discs gripped by four-piston radial calipers up front and a 245 mm disc at the rear. The whole package rides on 120/70-17 and 180/55-17 tires.

On the equipment front, the MT-09 SP doesn't skimp. Color TFT display, IMU inertial measurement unit, advanced traction control, slip control, wheelie control, engine brake management, and cruise control adjustable in 2 km/h increments. One might question the usefulness of cruise control on a machine that constantly begs you to crack the throttle open, but for long highway stretches with its 14-liter tank, it's a welcome comfort. The average fuel consumption of the Yamaha MT-09 SP 900 hovers around 5.5 liters per hundred kilometers in mixed riding, which provides a decent range without being exceptional. The styling borrows its cues from the R1M, with a raw brushed and anodized aluminum swingarm, smoked brake fluid reservoirs, a double-stitched seat, and a dedicated color scheme that gives the whole package a welcome premium character.

The price of the Yamaha MT-09 SP 900 comes in at 11,599 euros, roughly 1,500 euros more than the standard version. The premium is primarily justified by the Öhlins shock, the DLC-coated fork, the specific swingarm, and the cruise control. For a naked bike of this caliber, the price remains competitive against the Street Triple RS, which easily exceeds 12,000 euros. Whether you're looking for the price of the 2023 Yamaha MT-09 SP 900 in France or that of the 2025 model year, expect a bill in that range with the usual annual adjustments. The MT-09 SP is aimed at riders who want a spirited naked bike, well suspended, packed with electronics, and capable of doing it all: city, road, and sporty weekend rides. It doesn't claim to be a sportbike, it doesn't play the touring card. It stays true to what it has always been: a raw thrill machine, now backed by a chassis that no longer lets it down.