By the 90s, the standard motorcycle had lost some of its appeal. Sports bikes were quite literally taking over, and pretty much everyone was getting obsessed with speed. It was clear that the standard motorcycle needed a makeover of sorts, and we have Ducati to thank for this. By cobbling together the first Monster from what were essentially spare sports bike parts, we got what is widely considered the first naked sports bike. Or a sports bike without fairings.
While Ducati got the ball rolling, pretty much every major manufacturer followed suit, whipping the fairings off whatever faired bike was available. Honda has always had a reputation for offering bikes with superior reliability. Nothing has changed there. Ducati still offers a bike that can handle better than just about anything else, but we also have a bike that offers the best of both worlds experience.
A Hotly Contested Segment
In the 00s, we had a Monster competing with a Hornet (or 919 in the US), and rather interestingly, the same two models have just renewed that rivalry. While the Monster has never gone away, Honda only recently reintroduced the Hornet nomenclature. Over the years, the Monster has evolved into one of the finest naked bikes on the market.
The latest Monster+ is still relatively accessible by Ducati standards and has a brand-new V-twin. The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, on the other hand, is a bit of a hot rod. It can’t compete with the Ducati in terms of handling, but just like the old Hornet, it has a previous-generation Fireblade engine at its disposal. There are several other equally good alternatives in this highly competitive space, but it is a Yamaha that really stands out for us.
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The Yamaha MT-09 SP Has Honda Reliability And Ducati-Level Handling
MSRP: $12,699
The MT-09 makes use of the versatile CP3. Yamaha offers a wide selection of motorcycles based on this triple, but it all started here with the MT-09. The original MT had one rather obvious flaw, though, and that was its suspension. That was – for the most part – addressed with a subsequent update. But the SP model offers an uprated suspension that transforms the torque master into a corner carver.
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The MT-09 SP Has An Impressive Triple
Power: 117 Horsepower
Like most modern naked bikes, the MT-09 SP offers a great balance between performance and comfort. The CP3 engine was actually developed specifically with these goals in mind, with the triple chosen above any other configuration because it offers the best of both worlds. All the performance benefits of an inline-four, and all the torque of a big twin. These characteristics balance out and offer us a bike that delivers impressive real-world performance, with the vast majority of its power available throughout the rev range.
A Reliable Performer
Over the years, it has been in production, the CP3 has proven to be exceptionally reliable. With it being a relatively fun bike on the limit, it is also fair to say that this powertrain has been stress-tested. It is worth noting the fact that there was one recall issued last year. Some bikes were shipped with a faulty throttle position sensor. Naturally, this has since been rectified, and doesn’t affect new bikes.
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The MT-09 SP Is A Feature-Rich Canyon Carver
In terms of features, the MT-09 SP certainly doesn’t disappoint. The most recent update saw the addition of an IMU, so both lean-sensitive traction control and cornering ABS are present. It also gets ride modes, cruise control, a quickshifter, and a TFT dash with smartphone connectivity. These days, all these features are expected at this price point. But what you are paying extra for is the uprated suspension.
The fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock is complemented by an equally competent, fully adjustable KYB fork. This suspension offers riders more adjustability and transforms what a fun bike is into a competent canyon carver. It will be equally at home on a track of your choosing, but this is a package that is best suited to the real world.
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Reliable, Efficient, Dynamic, But Not Pretty
With a claimed fuel economy of 48 MPG, it is surprisingly light on fuel for a performance bike. While this figure might go out the window if you engage in a more spirited ride, it is good to know that once called upon, it can certainly handle the daily commute. It is certainly light and nimble enough for the task, as well as pretty comfortable thanks to its neutral riding position. The one thing it is not is pretty. Like most naked bikes on the market, Yamaha went with a bold Transformer kind of design aesthetic.
Suffice to say it won’t appeal to everyone. It offers the peace of mind you get with a Honda, and will “transform” into a Ducati over the weekend. It is a genuinely fun bike, but as is the case with any motorcycle, you need to like the way it looks, and this is an acquired taste to say the least. For the rest of us, the XSR900 might be a better bet, but you will need to add an aftermarket shock if you want it to handle like the MT.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
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Chassis |
Aluminum twin-spar |
|
Front Suspension |
41mm KYB inverted fork, adjustable preload, high/low speed compression and rebound (5.1-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Öhlins single shock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping (4.6-in travel) |
|
Weight |
428 lbs |
Source: Yamaha Motorsports