New Yamaha MT-09 ABS launched in Japan

- New Yamaha MT-09 ABS and MT-09 SP ABS to arrive soon in Japan

- Gets a new cross-plane three-cylinder engine concept

- Unlikely to enter the Indian market anytime soon

Yamaha has launched the updated MT-09 ABS and MT-09 SP ABS in the Japanese market. The naked roadster motorcycles have been updated both in terms of cosmetics as well as mechanicals. The changes include a new engine, a new frame, new wheels, revised exhaust note, a new Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and revised styling. The Japanese automaker is planning to retail 1400 units of both these motorcycles annually in its domestic market. 

The new MT-09 is a sharp, aggressive and muscular looking motorcycle. It comes with tank extensions on both sides with graphics on it, an underbelly exhaust, a single-piece seat, a sleek tail section, a sharp 14-litre fuel tank and an alien-ish design for its headlamp. It is further offered with features like a bi-function LED headlamp, LED position lamp, 3.5-inch coloured instrument cluster, four riding modes, cruise control, quick shifter, traction control, slipper clutch and a new Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). 

The naked roadster is powered by an 888cc inline three-cylinder water-cooled engine that produces 118bhp at 10,000rpm and 93Nm at 7,000rpm. All this power and torque is taken to its wheels using a six-speed gearbox. The suspension duty is handled by telescopic forks at the front and a swingarm at the rear. Meanwhile, for braking, it employs a dual disc at the front and a single disc at the rear.

The MT-09 SP ABS will arrive in the Japanese market on 28 July 2021, followed by the MT-09 ABS on 26 August 2021. The latter is available in three colour options: Pastel Dark Gray, Deep Purplish Blue Metallic C and Matte Dark Grey Metallic 6, and is priced at Yen 1,100,000 (Rs 7.36 lakh). Meanwhile, the MT-09 SP ABS is available in only Black Metallic X colour option and is priced at Yen 1,265,000 (Rs 8.46 lakh). The MT-09 used to be sold in the Indian market at a price tag of Rs 10.2 lakh ex-showroom and was brought here via the CBU route, which was further discontinued. The company doesn't seem to have any plans of relaunching the bike in the country anytime soon.