for throttle-on downshifting and is reportedly slick as all hell . A good 5-inch colour TFT display is fitted and the controls , adjusters , and ride configs easily worked , and clear to navigate on the left hand . The SP has a high tech 6-axis IMU regarded as one of the best in the industry . Anti-locks , antiwheelie , and anti- slide are configurable , too , along with the normal engine config choices . Grunt-wise there is a bit more boot in the engine with an additional 42cc , taking the 09 to 890cc , and horsepower in both is around 117.4 , at weights of 193kg and 194 respectively . Price wise these are competitive too , the base at $ 18,045 ride away , and $ 20,769 , for the SP . Both have opted for fob keys , fair enough , but I dislike a key that can go flat , or get wet and fail . Personal preference - no biggie . One great new addition is cruise control comes as standard on the base 09 . Nice one , Mr Mountain-Blade .
AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE ? However , there were three new MT09 ’ s there and the new auto version is a bit of a mystery , as it ’ s embargoed from being ridden yet , however it is a full automatic . There is no clutch , and confusingly , no gear lever - and it looks damn weird and feels even stranger . I ’ ve spent time with auto ’ s before and this one has thumb and
forefinger quickshifters on the left bar , and two auto shift modes D and D +, one assumes one is just a trifle more aggressive than the other . The AT is offered on the base model bike , and I was told that the price will be the same as the base model . If that ’ s the case , they may get quite a bit of uptake from users who like such things . Personal experience would say – great - on the open road ; but this is supposedly configured for round town traffic commuting in snarl-ups and for tight snaky weaving . I will be very keen to try it out , to see if they ’ ve ironed out a quirk or two found elsewhere .
THE SKINNY All in all , the new bikes look aggressive , very attractive , superbly finished and presented , with quality componentry in a fast and fun naked package at the right price . A good night and one deserving a better turnout , with rain clearly deterring a few . Food and drink was excellent , and the free t-shirt printing machine was working overtime as a young lady hot-pressed the MT logo onto fabric , front or back . Black on white , or the reverse , or black on black . Most seemed to go for the ‘ Dark Side of Japan ’ feel with black on black . Look forward to a full test here with the KR crew .
106 KIWI RIDER