2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP Model Update

Hot on the heals of the announcement of the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 updates, we’ve been treated to a look at the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP version, offering a host of premium features to Yamaha’s great value triple-cylinder, while obviously also benefiting from all the updates on the standard version.

As you’ll see the MT-09 SP features a special paint scheme, which is R1M inspired, and follows a mainly blacked out theme, with detail work on the tank and air intake panels in Gray and Blue, plus gold forks and blue wheels. The swingarm is given a raw look with the anodised brushed aluminium finish and hasn’t been painted, while the dual exit exhaust is retained.

2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP
2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP

Going past pure looks, there’s also the addition of a cruise control system, which once you’re in fourth gear or higher and moving faster than 50 km per hour, will let you set a speed for cruising, in a nice quality of life feature.

Probably most noticeably for riders is the up-spec suspension, offering a step up from the standard MT-09. In contrast you get an Ohlins rear shock, with full adjustability, meaning compression and rebound damping adjustment, plus an external preload adjuster for easy tinkering if you’re adding a pillion or luggage, or just dialing it in. Naturally the Ohlins rear shock unit stands out in gold, and that’s been matched to the front forks.

2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP
2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP

Those forks are KYB 41 mm units, with a diamond like coating and offer full preload, rebound and compression adjustment, including both high and low speed compression damping adjustment.

There’s also a special SP version seat fitted, with double stitching as a further premium touch, plus the handlebars are black anodised units, and you get clear smoke front and rear brake fluid reservoirs, not to mention a black drive sprocket.

That’s basically the same upgrade we saw in the previous MT-09 SP version over the regular bike, and the premium currently sits at about $1750 here in Australia between the two. With the standard at $14,250 and the SP at $16k, both on road prices. We don’t know pricing for the new 2021 MT-09 however, so we will have to wait for news on that one.

2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP
2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP

For a more in depth look at the standard and the general MT-09 updates, check out this video or my standard 2021 Yamaha MT-09 video. It’s cool to see the SP version continue, for those after a higher spec machine, and it’s going to be great to see how the new MT-09s stack up in the new year when they arrive in Australia.

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