Yamaha’s long-awaited YZF-R9 is finally here, putting an end to years of speculation and some recent teasers. For all those R6 fans left heartbroken when it disappeared from the market, Yamaha has cooked up something special. Is the R9 the replacement? Not officially, but with a middleweight, track-capable, street-sensible design, it sure feels like a spiritual successor to the legendary R6.
The 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9 Is Finally Here
Let’s dive in. Yamaha held a private press event to reveal the R9, and the first thing that stands out is the styling. It borrows heavily from its siblings: the sleek front end is unmistakably R6-inspired, while the headlight nods to the R7. Winglets? You bet. Functional, too. The tail section tips its hat to the R1, and Yamaha claims this is their most aerodynamic sportbike yet.
The riding position sits comfortably between the aggressive R1 and the street-friendly R7. Those clip-on handlebars mean business, resting below the triple clamp, signaling a rider triangle built for a sporty, forward-leaning posture. Footpegs are adjustable, so you can dial in your comfort or track aggression.
But don’t mistake the R9 for just an MT-09 in fancy clothes. Sure, it shares the 890cc triple with the MT-09, but Yamaha’s tweaked the frame, making it the lightest aluminum chassis in their sportbike lineup. Suspension comes courtesy of KYB, with fully adjustable forks and shocks, including high- and low-speed compression damping. That’s serious kit for a bike like this.
Then there’s the heart of the beast—the CP3 engine. A tried-and-true powerhouse, it’s not much different from the MT-09’s, aside from a few tweaks. With around 120 horses at the crank and torque that makes the old R6 look weak, this thing is built to thrill. A smaller rear sprocket means better top-end speed, and on the track, it’s bound to rip.
Braking has always been a weak spot for Yamaha sportbikes, but the R9 addresses that head-on with Brembo Stylema calipers, steel-braided lines, and larger 320mm discs—everything we’ve been asking for. Add a suite of electronics, including a 9-mode traction control system, slide control, lift control, and even cruise control, and you’re looking at a serious package.
At $12,499, it undercuts some big competitors like the Suzuki GSX-R750 and Triumph Street Triple RS. Come March 2025, the R9 will be on showroom floors, and Yamaha fans finally have something new to cheer for.
Take a closer look at the R9 on Yamaha’s website.
