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Yamaha has officially taken the wraps off its latest halo supersport bike, the YZF-R9. Although it isn’t technically the successor to the R1, which was reintroduced a few weeks back as a track-only bike, it is the flagship road-going Yamaha sport bike. The new Yamaha R9 is built on a completely different platform which can be traced back to the MT-09 and yet, despite so many shared components, the Yamaha R9 is a completely new bike from the ground up.
Starting with its frame, the new Yamaha R9 might carry over the same Deltabox-styled frame available with the MT-09 and the XSR900 GP. However, Yamaha claim that they have significantly reworked the frame to make it stiffer all round. Additionally, the frame also sets the record for being the lightest ever found in a Yamaha supersport tipping the scales at just 9.7 kg. The overall weight of the Yamaha YZF-R9 is 195 kg (with fluids), which is 5 kg lighter than its retro-roadster counterpart, the XSR900 GP.
Suspending the frame are premium 43 mm KYB USD fork with Kashima-coated fork tubes, which is exclusive to the R9. Yamaha has reworked the internals of the fork and it now features individual adjusters for compression and rebound damping. Similarly, the rear KYB-sourced monoshock is also exclusive to this bike, and it is available with preload, rebound, and compression damping. As for its brakes, Yamaha has gone for the latest Brembo Stylema calipers, which are joined by a high-spec Brembo master cylinder with braided brake lines. The braking is further governed by a six-axis IMU, which in turn has been derived from the R1.
Nestled in between the frame is the same 890 cc, triple-cylinder engine also found in the MT-09. Yamaha has not tinkered around with the output figures, so the YZF-R9 continues to produce the same 119 bhp and 93 Nm. However, with a set of extensive electronics on board, the Yamaha R9 certainly is the most tech loaded bike of them all.
Aside from the standard Rain, Street, and Sport ride modes, the R9 also gets the option of two custom modes, plus four more rider-adjustable modes specifically for the track riding. Given that it has a six-axis IMU, bits like traction control, lift control, slide control, brake control, and engine brake control are also available as default. For track enthusiasts, the R9 will also have Y-TRAC (Yamaha Telemetry Recording And Analysis Controller) to log and analyse riding data.
Wrapping up this technological marvel is sharp, aggressive and sleek body design which is atypical of Yamaha’s R badged bikes. But further pushing the envelope here are a bunch of aerodynamic elements like the MotoGP-inspired integrated winglets which is further accompanied by a unique front-end splitter located beneath the centrally-mounted M-duct. Yamaha claims these help prevent front wheel lift when accelerating down a straight line, by creative massive downforce – the exact number for which has not been disclosed though.
And lastly, the controls to all the electronic nannies can be accessed from the same five-inch TFT instrument screen that supports Bluetooth connectivity, which in turn gives you access to call/SMS alert, and turn-by-turn navigation.
The new Yamaha YZF-R9 has been launched in Europe and the US. It will be available with colours: the iconic Icon Blue, and Tech Black colours. Deliveries in these continents will start from March, 2025 onwards. And will it launch in India? Sadly, Yamaha hasn’t committed to anything yet, however, we do hope it makes its way to our shores.
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