Illustration (AI-generated) of a 2021 Yamaha MT-09 (FZ-09), not a photo of a specific motorcycle. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Yamaha MT-09 (FZ-09).
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2014 to 2026 models.
37owner complaints
5recalls
0%involved a crash, fire or injury
1,800typical miles at complaint
Yamaha MT-09 (FZ-09) years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.
201412 complaints
6 of 12 describe the cam chain tensioner rattling or failing.
Recall 14V550000 (exterior lighting): The affected motorcycles may have a headlight harness that is too short and when the handlebars are turned fully to the left or right the harness may break near the coupler or coupler may disconnect from the headlight bu…
201510 complaints
4 of 10 describe a cracked frame.
4 mention the clutch.
Recall 17V221000 (steering): The lower handlebar holder may loosen due to a painting issue and the inadequate application of the thread-locking agent.
Recall 15V176000 (power train): The affected motorcycles may have an incorrectly manufactured shift cam segment stopper, having a sharp edge on the inside of the bend instead of a smooth radius.
After 2015, no model year drew more than 3.
Fewest complaints on file: 2016 (1), 2018 (1), 2021 (1). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.
What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.
Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.
What owners complain about. Share of complaints.
transmission & drivetrain35%
engine32%
frame & body16%
lights16%
brakes11%
Recalls 5
Vehicle Speed Control 2025
The brushes inside the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) may slide excessively due to improper ECU programming, possibly causing unstable idling or an engine stall.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2022
Improper electronic control unit (ECU) programming may limit the throttle response, cause an engine stall, or fail to illuminate the engine warning light when a system error occurs.
Steering 2017
The lower handlebar holder may loosen due to a painting issue and the inadequate application of the thread-locking agent.
Show all 5
Power Train 15V176000
The affected motorcycles may have an incorrectly manufactured shift cam segment stopper, having a sharp edge on the inside of the bend instead of a smooth radius.
Exterior Lighting 14V550000
The affected motorcycles may have a headlight harness that is too short and when the handlebars are turned fully to the left or right the harness may break near the coupler or coupler may disconnect from the headlight bu…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.
Yamaha MT-09 (FZ-09)
2014–now
117 hpClaimed crank figure
Engine
890 cc liquid-cooled inline-triple CP3 (847 cc before 2021)CP3 triple (MT-09, Tracer 9) family
Torque
69 lb-ftclaimed
Weight
~417 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height
32.5 in
Price new
~$9,399 (2021)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate
From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.
Filed as: FZ09, FZ-09, MT-09. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle