Setup & Shakedown: Solo suspension & Tyres

Time to get busy setting up the Yammy.

It's no secret the stock suspension on the MT09 leaves most riders wanting, however it is adjustable - both front and back - so before a final assessment can be made, some tweaking is required.

As always, the first step is to record the default setup.
As per my previous post Setup: Solo Suspension my shorthand is as such:

R - Rings visible on suspension crown for preload
C - Clicks closed from fully open on rebound.

For the uninitiated, here is a very simplistic explanation of preload and rebound:

Preload
The suspension spring is statically compressed to increase preload tension, thereby requiring more force to further dynamically compress the spring. End result - stiffer suspension.

Rebound
Suspension rebound refers to the rate at which the suspension oil returns to 'rest'
The rebound adjustment manipulates a valve aperture which increases or reduces the rate at which the suspension oil can flow.

Open the aperture and you reduce rebound damping, thereby providing less resistance to oscillation.
Close the aperture and you increase rebound damping, thereby proving more resistance to oscillation.

The stock MT09 front-end settings were:
R = 6.5
C = 7

There is no doubt in my mind that I need to add preload and increase rebound damping.

After some adjusting, measuring and static tests I arrive at the following settings.
R = 4
C = 13

14mm Spanner - Preload adjustment (required evenly on both fork legs)

Flathead screwdriver - Rebound adjustment

Time to dial in the rear. Again first step is to record stock settings:

The rear shock has stepped notches ranging from 1 - 7 and a rebound screw without clicked internals. As such, my shorthand is as follows:

N = Notches from setting 1 preload

T = One full revolution of the screw head from fully closed

The stock MT09 rear-end settings were:
N = 4
T = 4.5

Again, after some fettling I arrived at:
N = 6
T = 1.5

Using the supplied C-Spanner to add preload

The rebound screw can be accessed via the left side of the bike through the frame

Finally I checked the tyre pressure - oh dear!

(F/R) - (38/40) psi

That won't do - especially if I'm going to kill these Dunlops. 

I reduce the cold pressure to:

(F/R) - (30/31) psi

After completing my setup and rechecking my work to ensure everything was cinched down I set off for a shakedown. Let the fun begin.

Day 2 - photo roll.

I stopped mid way through the ride to readjust the rear-end. She was chattering about.

I reduced preload and rebound to the following:

N = 5

T = 3.5

I think there is still room for improvement. I will let things bed down for a week or so of daily use and adjust as necessary. 

That said, the chassis is much more compliant after these changes. She is still a little misbehaved in the Hills, however in the Urban environment the adjustments have improved stability dramatically. 

\BitSar

Preloading the Yam whilst on the Rebound from the Ape......

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!