Summary
- Yamaha is replacing the R6 with the R9 for the SSP Championship due to stricter emission norms and changing competition preferences.
- The R9 will be based on the MT-09 platform, featuring CP3 inline-triple power, fresh design, and an aggressive riding triangle.
- Expected to be unveiled in 2024, the Yamaha R9 will come in two variants, Standard and SP, with the possibility of winglets on the SP model.
The inline-four breed is dying, and the latest prey is the Yamaha YZF-R1, a legendary superbike and easily one of the most influential ones. It's a beast that didn't bow to convention — agile handling, bonkers performance, and drool-worthy design. RIP, R1, you will be missed. But don’t lose hope yet.
Yamaha sports bikes are special, but you won’t have to settle for the R7 just yet. Don’t get us wrong, the R7 is a terrific motorcycle, but it won’t appease everyone. Fortunately, Yamaha is busy working on the R9, and we’ve known this since 2021, when the company started filling in for patents. Alas, it was busy with other motorcycles at hand, so the R9 took a while to arrive. It’s not here yet, but it’s just around the corner. We’re expecting the Yamaha R9 to be unveiled during the last quarter of 2024. But we can’t hold our excitement in. The new flagship Yamaha sports bike — need we say more? So let’s take a look at what’s confirmed about the Yamaha R9 and what’s expected of the bike.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Yamaha and other authoritative sources, including Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Online, and Young Machine (a Japanese publication with a history of bang-on insider information).
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Yamaha R9 Replaces The R6 For SSP Championship
This one is official, coming from Kevin Bos, Team Manager at Yamaha Ten Kate Racing. His team has won two World Supersport Championships (2021 and 2022), and according to him, the current SSP R6 will be replaced by the Yamaha R9. While he hasn’t revealed much about the R9 production model, he has confirmed that the SSP Championship will see the switch to R9 in 2025.
So, what’s the need to replace the legendary R6 screamer with an inline-triple supersport? Emission norms. Emissions are getting stricter by the year, and inline-four engines are the biggest victim here. Currently, the R6 is a track-only motorcycle. The upcoming Euro 5+ norms will make it even more difficult for the four-pot screamers to survive, leaving Yamaha without a middleweight supersport.
That’s not the only reason, though. In the SSP Championship, Yamaha’s rivals have moved away from inline-four 600 supersports to other engine layouts. For example, Triumph uses the Street Triple 765 RS, MV Agusta uses the F3 800, and Ducati uses the Panigale V2. A CP3-powered R9 will solve both problems for Yamaha.
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Based On The MT-09 Platform, Powered By CP3 Inline-Triple
Power Output: 117 HP @ 10,000 RPM (On MT-09)
Usually, companies produce sports bikes and then make naked derivatives of them, but Yamaha probably never got the memo. First, the MT-07 was turned into the YZF-R7, and now, the MT-09 will be turned into the YZF-R9. While this new supersport will be based on the same platform, it will come with some changes and additions that should make it sweeter on the track.
Not much is confirmed when it comes to what the upcoming Yamaha R9 will be equipped with or how it will differ from the MT-09, but we know a couple of things for sure. First, it will use the same Deltabox perimeter frame that’s on the MT-09 but expect the R9 to have a revised subframe and steeper rake for improved agility.
Next, the R9 will use the same CP3 inline-triple engine with a crossplane crankshaft. This powerful engine produces 117 horsepower on the MT-09, slotting the R9 between the R7 and the R1. But unlike the screamer R6, this engine has a punchier mid-range and doesn’t need to be wrung to the redline to squeeze out the power. It is also Euro 5+ emission compliant.
Unlike the MT-07, the MT-09 comes with a comprehensive electronics suite, so the same will be carried over just like the XSR900GP. However, according to Young Machine, the electronics may be revised to suit a more aggressive riding style. The R9 may also get slightly revised suspension and braking systems, but no information is available in that regard.
Yamaha MT-09 Specifications
Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, DOHC, CP3 inline-triple |
Displacement | 889cc |
Frame | CF die-cast aluminum |
Compression Ratio | 11.5:1 |
Max Torque | 68.5 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
(Specs sourced from Yamaha)
A Fresh New Design And An Aggressive Riding Triangle
The Yamaha R9 could replace the R6 supersport road bike, so it probably won’t be a relaxed sports tourer. According to Young Machine, the motorcycle will get clip-on handlebars, rear-set footpegs, and an aggressive riding triangle. For reference, the MT-09 gets a single-piece handlebar, mid-set pegs, and a neural riding triangle. According to the same publication, this new Yamaha middleweight will also get 17-inch spin-forged wheels and a new subframe.
Finally, the Yamaha R9 will get a fresh set of fairings. It will be a fully-faired motorcycle, retaining some cues from the outgoing R1 and R6 models. However, according to Young Machine, the bike will be clad in a new generation YZF-R design and get winglets (perhaps only the SP variant).
Available In Two Variants, Standard And SP
Thanks to Young Machine’s source, the Yamaha R9 will come in two variants, Standard and SP — like the MT-09. Essentially, the SP variant will have premium underpinnings and a different livery. For reference, the MT-09 SP gets fully adjustable KYB/Ohlins suspension and Brembo Stylema calipers whereas the MT-09 standard gets Nissin calipers and low-spec suspension. As mentioned, the SP will also get winglets, making it the first Yamaha with proper winglets. Not even the outgoing Yamaha R1 has winglets.
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We Expect The Launch At EICMA 2024
With the R6 and R1 bidding farewell, the Yamaha R9 will be the flagship Yamaha sports bike in the American (and European) market. And thanks to Bos’ statement, the Yamaha R9 is set to become a reality. We’ll be seeing it in action at the SSP Championship in 2025, but when will we see it on the road? That’s a difficult question to answer because no one knows for sure.
Yamaha started filing patent applications for the R9 back in the first week of August 2021, but that’s about it. So far, all we have are patent applications for the YZF-R9 tag. According to Motorcycle News’ sources in Japan, the production-ready R9 is already ready and waiting. It shouldn’t be long before we start seeing spy shots floating around.
Since Yamaha has already revealed its entire 2024 lineup, it’s unlikely that the R9 will see the light of day as a 2024 model. However, Motorcycle News and Young Machine suggest that the bike will likely appear in the coming Autumn at EICMA 2024. Fingers crossed because the R9 has many rivals waiting to pounce on it.
Yamaha YZF-R9 Rivals
- Ducati Panigale V2
- Suzuki GSX-R750
- MV Agusta F3 800
- Kawasaki ZX-6R
- Upcoming KTM RC 990
