The YZF-R9, which was unveiled for the first time in the world at the Jerez Circuit, the final round of the World Superbike Series, has already made its first appearance in Japan, at the Suzuka Circuit, where the final round of the All Japan Road Race Series, the MFJ Grand Prix, is being held.
Photo/Article: Hiroshi Nakamura
Unveiled at Suzuka Circuit with a view to participating in races!
In recent years, the theory for new models from manufacturers is to debut in Europe and then exhibit at EICMA in the fall, but after the Jerez WSBK, the actual motorcycle was shown in Japan. It was a pleasant surprise for us Japanese fans.
"In the past, new models have often been unveiled for the first time at a European show or Southeast Asia before being introduced in Japan, but the R9 is also a model that shows us that we haven't forgotten about Japanese sports motorcycle enthusiasts," said Usada Junichi, a member of Yamaha Motor's YZF-R9 development staff who attended the press conference that day.
Chief developer Koji Tsuya (Left) and developer Junichi Usada were in charge of product planning for the YZF-R7.
The Japanese version of the YZF-R9 [YAMAHA], which was unveiled for the first time, will be available in three color variations.
The YZF-R9 was exhibited at Suzuka Circuit in Icon Blue.
Intensity white x red line reminiscent of the original YZF-R1.
Tech Black.
We want you to enjoy the fun of super sports without the discomfort
The YZF-R9 is equipped with a 4-stroke in-line 3-cylinder engine with a displacement of 890cc. This is based on the "CP3" engine installed in the current MT-09 series, and while the engine itself remains the same, the settings of the control system, mapping, ignition timing, etc. have been specially set.
The maximum output is 119ps/10,000rpm, and the maximum torque is 9.5kg-m/7,000rpm, the same figures as the MT-09 and XSR900GP, but the power feeling is said to be specially set for super sports. There are also four power modes, 1/2/3/4 (Sport/Street/Rain/User Setting), but the output characteristics are specially set.
Yamaha has announced the YZF-R9 as a "super sports" bike. When it comes to Yamaha super sports, the YZF-R1 is of course at the top, followed by the YZF-R6, which is the top model, but the direction they are taking is to let people experience the fun of the R1/R6 super sports without the harshness of super sports.
"For example, let's say you hear that there's a nice winding road far from your home. You want to ride the R1 or R6, but the journey there is tough (laughs).
So, even though it's a super sports motorcycle, the handlebars are mounted under the top bridge, but not too low like the YZF-R7, and the footpegs are lower than the R1 or R6, making it suitable for touring as well.
A quick shifter is a mechanism that is naturally found on a supersport motorcycle, but we also made the cruise control standard equipment, which is not a normal feature on a supersport motorcycle. It can also be linked to a smartphone, so it's like an R1 that can be used for touring." (Usada)
The riding position of the YZF-R9 is low, with the handlebars close to the seating position.
The power feeling of the three-cylinder engine is specially designed for super sports motorcycles.
The meter uses a 5-inch TFT display. Settings can also be made via a smartphone app.
The front forks, which are equivalent to those on the YZF-R1, are new from KYB and are set up specifically for the R9.
The quick shifter is likely the third generation type, capable of handling up/down shifts even during acceleration/deceleration.
A new switch also used on the MT-09. The cruise control is located in an easy-to-operate position.
Special Deltabox frame for hard braking
The biggest change from the MT-09 series is the specially designed aluminum Deltabox frame. This was the first thing they did when creating a super sports model based on the MT-09 series.
"At first we tested adding a cowling to the MT-09, but the front end settings were different. The MT has a front end that is comfortable to ride and has good movement, but as a super sports motorcycle, we wanted the R9 to first be a chassis that could handle hard braking.
Of course, the aim is different from the R1 and R6, so it is the lightest frame in Yamaha's Deltabox lineup. The frame is designed to be both highly rigid and flexible, without sacrificing ease of riding, and is still able to handle heavy loads," said Koji Tsuya, head of development for the YZF-R9.
Yamaha said the R9 is a model they want riders whose riding skills are still growing to ride. The R1 and R6 are positioned almost exclusively for racing, but the R9 has the utility to handle sports riding and touring as well.
The YZF-R7 is a model with a similar aim, but the target demographic is different from the R7, and the R9 is geared towards those who want to enjoy riding more.
Deltabox has developed a new aluminium frame that is the lightest in its class, weighing just 9.7kg.
The YZF-R7, which is based on the MT-07, shared the same pipe frame, but the aim was to keep the price down.
We want to provide high performance that can be used in races at an affordable price.
What's more, the R9 will be eligible to compete in the World Supersport 600 from 2025, and will also be sold as the base motorcycle for that series.
"Of course, it's not a model that has circuit potential right out of the box like the R1 or R6, but we've prepared kit parts for circuit runs and have considered racing from the design stage. In other words, if you take the R9 to the circuit on track days, and as you get better and better, you may gradually start to feel like it's not enough."
So, instead of switching to the R1 or R6, we designed the R9 so that it could be modified. That's the kind of model we want to make," says Usada.
Tsuya looks back on the racer replica boom from the mid-1980s to the 1990s.
"In those days, we were constantly chasing performance, and as we got more and more high-performance bikes, I think we left ordinary riders behind. There were a lot of models that were super high-performance, but only a handful of riders could handle them.
It's fast, it's fun, but it's tough, and I don't want people to move away from supersports because of that. I want the R9 to be a supersport that is high-performance, but that everyone can enjoy. It's not the R1 or the R6, it's a supersport with a new direction.
Although it uses an MT-09 engine, the newly designed Deltabox frame, front and rear suspension, and brakes are the same parts as the R1 and R6. It is a supersport that can move like a supersport but is not uncontrollable in power.
"It will be released around spring 2025, so I don't think you'll have to wait that long. We'll do our best with the price! The price for the overseas model has been announced now (Note: The North American model is $12,499, but we are working hard to make it more affordable. It's important that it's easy to ride and easy to get, so the price is important too." (Usada)
High performance that is accessible to everyone - Yamaha's creation of super sports bikes may have entered a new phase.
The YZF-R9 racer (left) was unveiled at the Jerez Circuit. The rear suspension has been replaced with Ohlins.
With racing in mind, the cowling is equipped with winglets from the standard model, giving it aerodynamic performance that exceeds that of the R6.
Even when viewed from above, you can see that the winglets protrude quite far.
The front calipers are Brembo Stylema, and the discs are larger at 320mm compared to the MT's 298mm.
The rear disc diameter has been reduced from 245mm on the MT-09 to 220mm, and a Nissin caliper different from the MT is used.
The fuel tank is the same as the MT-09 at 14L. It is 1L more than the YZF-R7's 13L but less than the YZF-R1's 17L.
Unlike other YZF-R series models, the seat cowling has a compact shape with no duct at the rear.
YAMAHA YZF-R9 European Specifications
Overall Length x Width x Height: 2070 x 705 x 1180 mm
Wheelbase: 1420mm
Seat Height: 830mm
Vehicle Weight: 195kg
Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, in-line 3-cylinder DOHC 4-valve 890cc
Maximum Output: 119PS/10000rpm
Maximum Torque: 9.5kg-m/7000rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14L
Transmission: 6-speed return
Brakes: F = W disc, R = disc
Tire: F=120/70ZR17, R=180/505R17
Price: $12,499 (North America/$12188.29)
