Riding Solo: MT-09 meets the GOR

I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t yet introduced the MT-09 to the Great Ocean Road (GOR) – one of Victoria's - and indeed Australia’s - must ride roads.

Although it has been raining for 3 days straight and the weather today is less than ideal I am stubborn and determined enough to get the Gimp suit on and get this long overdue introduction done.

Kissing the wife goodbye and giving the little one a smile I hit the black stuff at 6:50 am – there’s a lot of road to cover.

The first 1.5 hour slab to Torquay is completed without incident – stopping for fuel I gunnel the tank and check the radar. High wind – but no rain – I wonder if this will in fact equate to ‘Dry’…….hmmm.

Before one can begin the GOR ‘proper’ the gratuitous Split Point lighthouse stop is required – this is our Mecca and the icons must be acknowledge. Pfffft……..nah.

That said, this lighthouse is a bit of a silver screen star and was the setting of the ever popular ‘Round the Twist’ children's series – a TV show which is a right of passage for my generation of Aussie-Kid.

Right then. Stop faffing about - it's clobbering time. 

Aireys Inlet to Lorne defines the warm-up section of the GOR - with spectacular views left and forward vision filled with a black snake tracing the coastline, the appetite is tending to Braaarp. 

We've had our wettest recorded Spring in Victoria for the last 30 years - oh joy - as such, the GOR has copped a beating. Landslides had closed large sections between Lorne and Apollo Bay, sections now open albeit under repair. 

It must be said, the road surface is shocking. It is pock-marked, pitted and rutted - there are gravel washouts and divots, large stone chips and, oh yeah - single lane road works. Settling into any form of rhythm is farken impossible, and with frustration breeding petulance, things are getting sketchy. 

So we climb a little further out, and head towards the Otways. Maybe we'll have more luck?

The road travelled

And the road ahead

Backtracking slightly I point the 'Niner to some inland delights via Skenes Creek on a coast to farm transition. The low lying Rain Forest road has also seen some heavy rain and is dicey at best - nothing else for it, climb higher and head out to the open plains. 

This looks like a nice spot for lunch

I complete my MT-09 to GOR introduction ride back to Melbourne town, as much as possible, on the roads less travelled. Glad the 'Niner has met the GOR - but I've got a feeling the appetite for Braarp has not been contented. 

Rolling up my driveway at 3pm, I've just spent 8 hours on the bike and completed ~630kms. 

My Girls are having a late lunch and are all smiles. Nothing, else, required. 

\BitSar

GOR, this is the 'Niner, be a better Mecca next time - OK?

Yamaha MT-09.........or is it Oh My?

Curiosity got the better of me.........it came in the form of the intriguing, all new, Yamaha MT-09...time to test ride - game on....

On paper the MT-09 is quite a tantalizing proposition: 115 HP, 62 Nm torque all in a lightweight ~190kg package.....I had to give it a crack.

Motor/Throttle/Clutch + Gearbox

The all new 850 Triple is sublime. This motor is very exciting indeed - lovely linear torque curve which remains fat and punchy all the way to the top. The engine reacts rapidly to throttle input and is eager to spool up making usable power instantly and on mass.

The gearbox is standard Japanese - well indexed with a short throw between gears - neutral is no trouble to find and I did not encounter any false neutrals while banging up or down the gears (with and without the clutch). The clutch itself is very light albeit a little higher than I would've expected - however this is maybe a result of a non-adjustable lever and the clutch cable needing some attention.

Now the throttle - the infamous fly-by-wire throttle.......Let's get this straight - it's pretty damn poor. I know other reviews are stating it to be horrendous, while others still are touting it to be "not that bad"........I'm calling it poor. I didn't bother with B mode, however in both A mode and STD the throttle is dimwitted in response.

On small throttle openings when exiting a corner the motor will stutter and hesitate, a further minute increase in throttle brings a torrent of torque which upsets the handling. It is quite ON/OFF and you need to adjust your riding to suit - forget about smooth roll-on, look for an exit and increase throttle as you decrease rate of turn.....this is point and GO, GO, GO......this is more like a dirt bike - stand her up and flog her out of the corner. 

Handling/Brakes/Suspension

First of all - the chassis is great - compact wheel base, narrow tank and I personally love the Ergo's - very much a sit-in bike, not a sit-on bike.....I like that.

Unfortunately the rest of the handling package leaves a lot to be desired. I'm not a heavy guy 68-70Kgs and even for me this was "plush".......no - not plush.......bloody spongy.

The front-end needs a lot of work, it wallows when cornering, dives badly under hard braking and chatters under hard acceleration. It is flighty and numb at the same time....... and that's when it's still on the ground! It does like to pick-up often, off the clutch even a 3 year old could wheelie the MT-09, off the throttle exiting corners as the suspension unloads and you grab a handful the front will play ball. The rear shock might be worse - far too much play - even on the stiffest setting - making the rear loose and mushy. Not good.

The brakes are good - nice and predictable with good bite and feedback....the rear brake is very strong indeed, it caught me out once or twice. So no problem with the anchors.

Seat/Comfort

The seating position is very upright - as expected. The seat itself is narrow yet comfortable, this bike fit me perfectly - almost as though it was made to scale.

You do sit very forward on the bike - well over the tank, making you feel much forward of the centre of mass - very much over the front......and given the MT-09's eagerness to wheelie - this is probably a good thing. 

In Conclusion 

The MT-09 has a lovely motor and a great chassis - but it's not finished. It feels rushed, unrefined and simply not ready for sale - It actually feels like a prototype. A pre-production final step. Not a polished product.

It is clear it has been built to a price - the switchgear and handlebar controls are sub-standard, small and fiddly.

I actually don't mind the dash - it is minimal, yet clear and I had no trouble reading it in full daylight. 

In reality - this bike was fun, yet foolish - it could not be an only bike for me - could not be my daily workhorse as well as my weekend fun toy.........and - it will definitely NOT be replacing the Ape.

\BitSar

MT........Oh My!