Yamaha MT-09: the rivals
It’s not just Triumph’s Street Triple that should keep one eye over its shoulder on the MT-09
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YAMAHA'S new 847cc MT-09 is clearly a challenger to Triumph’s Street Triple.
The new Yamaha triple makes a claimed 115bhp, 10 more than the Triumph, while undercutting it by £200 on price, at £6,799.
The MT-09 has a strong, revy engine – just like the Street Triple – along with distinctive styling and quality components which belie its budget price, including the aluminium chassis.
But the Street Triple isn't the only model that could find the new Yamaha encroaching on its turf.
Engine: 847cc triple
Weight: 188 kg wet
Power: 115 bhp
Price: £6799 (£7199 with ABS)
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YAMAHA'S new 847cc MT-09 is clearly a challenger for Triumph’s Street Triple.
The new Yamaha triple makes a claimed 115bhp, 10 more than the Triumph, while undercutting it by £200 on price, at £6,799.
The MT-09 has a strong, revy engine – just like the Street Triple – distinctive styling and quality components which belie its budget price, including the aluminium chassis.
But the Street Triple isn't the only model that could find the new Yamaha encroaching on its turf.
Engine: 847cc triple
Weight: 188 kg wet
Power: 115 bhp
Price: £6799 (£7199 with ABS)
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Triumph Street Triple
THE Street Triple has an eager, Daytona 675-derived engine, a confidence-inspiring chassis and looks that set it apart from the Japanese competition.
This year it got better fuel economy, more front-end weight bias, a taller first gear and a broader steering lock.
And of course, it’s British.
Engine: 675cc triple
Weight: 182 kg wet
Power: 105 bhp
Price: £6,999 (£7,349 with ABS)
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Kawasaki Z800
YES, the Kawasaki has one more cylinder but as an 800cc naked bike, it’s clearly facing new competition from the MT-09.
The Z800 makes 113bhp and 60ftlb of torque - fairly modest figures for an in-line four of its size.
Nevertheless it feels smooth and refined, with a ride quality better than might be expected from a machine with fairly budget suspension, adjustable only for preload and rebound.
Where it might fall down compared to the MT-09 is on price: it’s £700 more. Then there’s the weight. At 229kg wet, it’s carrying 41kg more than the Yamaha, equivalent to, say, a teenage pillion.
Click here to read owners' reviews of the Kawasaki Z800
Engine: 806cc inline-four
Weight: 229kg wet
Power: 111 bhp
Price: £7,499
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Suzuki GSR750
WHAT stands out about the GSR750 is that it doesn’t look like a Suzuki. In fact it doesn’t look Japanese. With its confident, brash and detailed styling, it could be mistaken for an MV Agusta.
It’s also got a detuned GSXR-750 engine and a highly competitive price.
Click here to read owners' reviews of the Suzuki GSR 750.
Engine: 749cc four
Weight: 211kg, kerb
Power: 105 bhp
Price: £6,999 (£7,399 with ABS)
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MV Agusta Brutale B3 675
IF a triple is your thing, there’s an Italian answer from MV in the 675cc Brutale.
It makes seven less bhp than MT-09, costs £1,700 more, and has a peaky engine better suited to twisties than town use.
What you get is that unquantifiable thing which motorcycle designers (especially Italian ones) sometimes refer to as “spirit”.
Click here to read owners' reviews of the MV Agusta Brutale B3 675
Engine: 675cc triple
Weight: 167kg, dry
Power: 108 bhp
Price: £8,499 (£8,699 with EAS)
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Ducati Monster 796
THE Monster range is one of Ducati’s greatest success stories, enjoying huge popularity across Europe, and not without cause. They’re highly engaging to ride, full of character and look great.
The 796 has the torque-laden engine from the Hypermotard, with a high-spec chassis, single-sided swingarm and quality components.
Click here to read owners' reviews of the Ducati Monster 796
Engine: 803cc twin
Weight: 187kg, wet
Power: 87 bhp
Price: £7,495 (£8,195 with ABS)
