The supersport class has been withering over recent years, but the new Yamaha YZF-R9 is sure to draw the attention of sportbike enthusiasts. It’s built around Yamaha’s 3-cylinder CP3 powerplant and includes several high-end features and eye-popping good looks for a reasonable $12,499.
The new R9 doesn’t fit into existing boxes, slotting in between the relatively tame YZF-R7 and the intimidating YZF-R1, which has prices starting at $18,999 and reaching $27,699 for the R1M version.
The Yamaha YZF-R9 is intended to redefine the supersport class by combining track-capable performance with streetbike accessibility. Yamaha says it provides “true supersport levels of performance in an accessible package that enhances the capability and confidence of riders across a spectrum of skill levels.”
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the R9 is its snazzy appearance, especially its nose. Squinty LED headlights are framed by MotoGP-inspired winglets designed to offer a measure of downforce at speed. Also deserving praise is the tidy tailsection that is unencumbered by a bulky muffler – silencing takes place in a canister under the engine. Yamaha says the sleek design is the most aerodynamic it’s ever produced.
At the heart of the R9 is Yamaha’s character-rich 890cc crossplane Triple, which has garnered fans for its exuberant performance in the MT-09 and MT-09 SP. Performance specs are mostly unchanged, but the R9 receives a unique ECU tune and taller final-drive gearing, with two fewer teeth on the rear sprocket. Expect the same factory-rated 117 hp at 10,000 rpm and 69 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. It’s backed up by a slip/assist clutch and an auto-blipping quickshifter.
The R9’s chassis diverges from the MT-09 with a new Deltabox aluminum frame that’s said to be the lightest ever offered on a Yamaha Supersport model. The frame has larger open steering head sections and was tuned to deliver supple and predictable feel at lower speeds along with a balance of rigidity for sharp handling at racetrack velocities.
The suspension of the R9 is also unique, swapping the MT-09’s 41mm fork for a beefier 43mm unit. The fully adjustable fork is from KYB, like the MT, but it’s a more advanced SDF design that includes high- and low-speed compression-damping adjustments. KYB also supplies the monoshock, which includes a handy hydraulic preload adjuster along with compression/rebound adjustability.
With a steep rake angle of 22.6 degrees and 3.7 inches of trail, along with a 55.9-inch wheelbase and 50/50 weight distribution, the R9 should offer agile handling qualities that will perform well on the street and on the racetrack.
We’re glad to see Yamaha didn’t scrimp on the R9’s brakes. The fronts are the same Brembo Stylema monoblock brake calipers and 320mm dual discs as fitted to the MT-09 SP, with a Brembo radial-pump master cylinder squeezing fluid through flex-free stainless-steel brake lines to offer high levels of power and feel.
The Yamaha YZF-R9 includes a suite of advanced rider aids informed by a 6-axis IMU for traction control (nine levels), wheelie control (three levels), slide control (three modes), adjustable engine braking, and cornering ABS with the option to switch off rear ABS for track riding. The electronics also include four power modes, launch control, and Yamaha Variable Speed Limiter (YVSL).
Ergonomically, the R9 puts a rider in a forward lean to offer improved front-end feedback, but it’s not as aggressive as the R1’s committed riding position. The seat is placed at 32.7 inches, and the footpegs are fairly high to preserve adequate lean angles. If your wrists get weary before depleting the 3.7-gallon fuel tank, just click on the bike’s standard cruise control to give ’em a rest. The curb weight is 430 lb.
Electronic settings are conveyed on Yamaha’s latest-generation full-color 5-inch TFT display, which can be customized to display four street themes or a dedicated track display. Settings are navigated via Yamaha’s latest handlebar switches, with their shapes and feel refined to provide intuitive operation. Smartphone compatibility is offered via Yamaha’s free Y-Connect app, and navigation is available through the free Garmin StreetCross app.
After seeing the stunning Yamaha YZF-R9 in person with its next-generation R-series styling and learning it retails for less than $13K, we think Yamaha might be reinvigorating the sportbike market. The R9 will begin arriving at dealers in March 2025, giving you time to save up $12,499 for your choice of Matte Raven Black, Team Yamaha Blue, or Intensity White/Redline.
Learn more about Yamaha’s complete Supersport lineup at the Yamaha Motorcycles website.
Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2025 Motorcycle Buyers Guide
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Source: RiderMagazine.com