The Lemon Index

Motorcycles · Yamaha · Sport & naked

Yamaha MT-09 (FZ-09), illustration

Illustration

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.

Complaints by model year.

201412
201510
20161
20173
20181
20211
20221
20233
20242
20252
20261

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

Also counted in the Yamaha MT-07 / MT-09 family page.

More sport & naked: Suzuki GSX-R · Ducati Monster · Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R / ZX-10R · Yamaha YZF-R1 · Ducati Panigale · Buell 1125R / 1125CR · Honda CBR · Kawasaki Ninja 300/400/650 · Every motorcycle

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