MyMoto Comparison
Yamaha MT-07 vs MT-09: Which Should You Buy?
These two share a name and a family look, but they are very different machines: the MT-07 is a light, friendly 689cc twin, and the MT-09 is a 117hp 890cc triple aimed at experienced riders. So the real question for most people is not "which is better" but "am I ready to size up?" Here is the honest answer.
Photo: PackMecEng, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The friendly one. A light, torquey CP2 twin that is endlessly fun without being intimidating, and A2-restrictable in many markets. The better choice for newer riders and anyone who values approachable, flickable fun over outright power.
Photo: Chanokchon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The serious one. A howling 890cc triple with 117hp and a full electronics suite (cornering ABS, traction control, quickshifter, ride modes). Thrilling, but full A-licence only and genuinely too much for a beginner. An experienced rider's bike.
Specs head to head
| Yamaha MT-07 | Yamaha MT-09 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 689cc parallel twin (CP2) | 890cc triple (CP3) |
| Power | ~73 hp | ~117 hp |
| Wet weight | ~184 kg | ~193 kg |
| Seat height | 805 mm | 825 mm |
| Price (new) | ~$8,599 | ~$10,899 |
| Electronics | ABS; minimal, analog feel | Cornering ABS, traction, quickshifter, modes, TFT |
| Licence | A2-restrictable in many markets | Full A only (not A2) |
| Character | Light, torquey, friendly | Fast, aggressive, electronic |
| Best for | Newer riders, approachable fun | Experienced riders, serious pace |
Figures are catalog approximations and vary by model year and market; always verify the exact spec and price for your region.
Where the MT-07 wins
Approachability and value. It is lighter, cheaper, and far friendlier to ride at real-world speeds, with a torquey twin that is fun from low revs without ever feeling like it is trying to get away from you. It is A2-restrictable in many markets, so newer riders can legally start on it and derestrict later. For most riders, most of the time, the MT-07 delivers 90 percent of the grin for less money and less intimidation.
Where the MT-09 wins
Outright performance and tech. The 890cc triple is a different league: more power, a addictive howl, and a genuinely fast bike, backed by a full electronics suite (cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes, quickshifter, colour TFT) that the MT-07 simply does not have. For an experienced rider who has the skill to use it, the MT-09 is one of the best-value performance nakeds on the market. It is the reward, not the starting point.
Which should you buy?
Buy the MT-07 if you are still building skill, want an A2-friendly option, or simply prefer a light, friendly bike you can enjoy without a licence to print speed. It is the right answer for the large majority of riders cross-shopping these two.
Buy the MT-09 only if you are an experienced rider who genuinely wants and can handle 117hp, the triple's character, and the electronics. It is a superb bike, but it is full A-licence only and not a first bike. If you are unsure whether you are ready, that uncertainty is your answer: start on the MT-07, and the MT-09 will still be there when you have grown into it.
Not sure if you are ready to size up?
The right call depends on your experience, confidence, licence, budget, and the roads you ride. Tell the MyMoto advisor about yourself in your own words - it weighs all of that, including the over-biking regret risk most comparisons skip, asks only what matters, and builds your free personal report in a few minutes of chat.
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MyMoto is an early beta. Always verify current specs, pricing, licence rules, insurance, and local availability before buying any motorcycle. Figures are sourced from our catalog and may vary by model year and market.
Comparing the MT-07 with the Z650? MT-07 vs Z650 →
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On an A2 licence? See the best A2 bikes →
Cross-shopping the MT-07 with the SV650? SV650 vs MT-07 →
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