Yamaha MT-09 2021 vs. Kawasaki Z900 2020

Yamaha MT-09 2021

Yamaha MT-09 2021

Kawasaki Z900 2020

Kawasaki Z900 2020

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Overview - Yamaha MT-09 2021 vs Kawasaki Z900 2020

When comparing the Yamaha MT-09 2021 and the Kawasaki Z900 2020, it is clear that both naked bikes have their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

Starting with the Yamaha MT-09 2021, it boasts an inline engine with 119 HP of power and 93 Nm of torque. The fuel system is injection-based, and it has a 3-cylinder configuration. The bike is cooled by a liquid cooling system and has a displacement of 889 ccm. The front suspension consists of an upside-down telescopic fork, while the rear suspension is a swing arm with a monoshock absorber. The frame is made of aluminum and has a twin tube design. The front brakes are double disk with a diameter of 298 mm. The bike also features advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, quickshifter, and traction control. The dimensions include a front tire width of 120 mm, a front tire diameter of 17 inches, a rear tire width of 180 mm, a rear tire diameter of 17 inches, a wheelbase of 1430 mm, a seat height of 825 mm, and a kerb weight of 189 kg (with ABS).

The strengths of the Yamaha MT-09 2021 include the elimination of load change reactions, increased pressure from the center, and an over-complete electronics package. The quickshifter is also highly praised for its performance. Additionally, the bike offers a comfortably integrated seating position, a successful chassis, lively handling, and enormous riding pleasure.

Yamaha MT-09 2021

Yamaha MT-09 2021

On the other hand, the Yamaha MT-09 2021 does have some weaknesses. The polarizing look may not appeal to everyone, and the small TFT display may be a drawback for some riders. Additionally, the front wheel feel is somewhat indirect, and the cruise control feature is only available in the SP variant.

Turning to the Kawasaki Z900 2020, it features an inline engine with a higher power output of 125.4 HP and torque of 98.6 Nm. The fuel system is injection-based, and it has a 4-cylinder configuration. Similar to the Yamaha, it is also cooled by a liquid cooling system and has a displacement of 948 ccm. The front suspension consists of an upside-down telescopic fork, while the rear suspension is a swing arm with a monoshock absorber. The frame is made of steel and has a double cradle design. The front brakes are double disk with a diameter of 300 mm. The bike also features advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, riding modes, ride by wire, and traction control. The dimensions include a front tire width of 120 mm, a front tire diameter of 17 inches, a rear tire width of 180 mm, a rear tire diameter of 17 inches, a wheelbase of 1450 mm, a seat height of 795 mm, and a kerb weight of 210 kg (with ABS).

Kawasaki Z900 2020

Kawasaki Z900 2020

The strengths of the Kawasaki Z900 2020 include its powerful four-cylinder engine, great handling, good equipment, and aggressive looks. It is also considered to offer good value for money.

However, the Kawasaki Z900 2020 does have some weaknesses as well. The menu navigation can be somewhat tiring, and it lacks the option for a quickshifter, which is available on the Yamaha MT-09 2021.

In conclusion, both the Yamaha MT-09 2021 and the Kawasaki Z900 2020 have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The Yamaha excels in terms of load change reactions, pressure from the center, electronics package, quickshifter, seating position, chassis, handling, and riding pleasure. On the other hand, the Kawasaki stands out with its powerful four-cylinder engine, great handling, good equipment, and aggressive looks. However, the Yamaha's weaknesses lie in its polarizing look, small TFT display, somewhat indirect front wheel feel, and limited cruise control availability. Meanwhile, the Kawasaki's weaknesses include tiring menu navigation and the absence of a quickshifter option. Ultimately, the choice between these two bikes will depend on the rider's preferences and priorities.

Technical Specifications Yamaha MT-09 2021 compared to Kawasaki Z900 2020

Yamaha MT-09 2021
Kawasaki Z900 2020

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore78 mmBore73.4 mm
StrokeStroke62.1 mmStroke56 mm
Engine powerEngine power119 HPEngine power125.4 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power10,000 rpmRpm at Max. Power9,500 rpm
TorqueTorque93 NmTorque98.6 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque7,000 rpmRpm at Torque7,700 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio11.5 Compression Ratio11.8
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
IgnitionIgnitionTransistorIgnitionDigital
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders3Cylinders4
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement889 ccmDisplacement948 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
TravelTravel130 mmTravel120 mm

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
Shock mountShock mountDeflectionShock mountDeflection
TravelTravel122 mmTravel140 mm

Chassis

FrameFrameAluminiumFrameSteel
Frame typeFrame typeTwin TubeFrame typeDouble cradle
RakeRake65 degreeRake65 degree
TrailTrail108 mmTrail105 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter298 mmDiameter300 mm

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter245 mmDiameter250 mm

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Quickshifter, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Ride by Wire, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter17 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width180 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height55 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
LengthLength2,090 mmLength2,070 mm
WidthWidth795 mmWidth820 mm
HeightHeight1,190 mmHeight1,065 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,430 mmWheelbase1,450 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height825 mmSeat Height795 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)189 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)210 kg
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Yamaha MT-09 2021

Yamaha MT-09 2021

The ingredients for the 2021 update are right: More power, more equipment, more electronics, less weight. If you take a look at the key data of the latest MT-09, including its over-complete standard equipment, "mid-range naked bike" almost sounds a bit pejorative. The Japanese engineers have made improvements exactly where they were needed. The swaying chassis is now a thing of the past and the load change reactions have also been eliminated from the revised three-cylinder engine. The additional power paired with a little more pressure in the mid-range gives a sovereign riding feeling. The MT-09 offers a lot of equipment and enormous riding pleasure at a very attractive price. If you like the look, you can buy it without hesitation.

No more load change reactions

even more pressure from the centre

over-complete electronics package

great working quickshifter

comfortably integrated seating position

successful chassis

lively handling

enormous riding pleasure.

Polarising look

small TFT display

somewhat indirect front wheel feel

cruise control only available in SP variant

Kawasaki Z900 2020

Kawasaki Z900 2020

In terms of price-performance, the Kawasaki Z900 is hard to beat at the moment. With the perfectly tuned engine, the high-quality chassis components and the electronics added for 2020, this naked bike offers everything that sporty riders will be looking for. There is really nothing to complain about, even if the option of a quickshifter would have been a nice extra. Apart from that: great shot, Kawasaki!

powerful four-cylinder

great handling

good equipment

aggressive looks

value for money

Menu navigation somewhat tiring

missing quickshifter option

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Yamaha MT-09 vs Kawasaki Z900

There are a few key differences between a Yamaha MT-09 2021 and a Kawasaki Z900 2020. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Yamaha MT-09 2021 is about 3% higher. Compared to Kawasaki Z900 2020 there are less Yamaha MT-09 2021 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 19 compared to 34. It takes less time to sell a Yamaha MT-09 with 112 days compared to 124 days for a Kawasaki Z900. Since model year 2013 1000PS.de editors have written 57 reviews for the Yamaha MT-09 and 46 reviews for the Kawasaki Z900 since model year 2017. The first review for the Yamaha MT-09 was published on 6/10/2013 and now has more than 39,900 views. This compares to more than 93,200 views for the first review on Kawasaki Z900 published on 11/11/2016.

Price Yamaha MT-09

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Kawasaki Z900

Model year
Current average market prices

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