I've had the itch for a couple of years now and I'm ready to get back into riding at 45 years old. My entire family rode when I was in high school and when I left to join the US Coast Guard I gave up riding.

Grew up on a Honda Shadow and a CBR1000F, parents rode BMW's and my brother still rides Harley's.

After months of research I've decided on a 2021 Yamaha MT-09. I don't plan to do any long distance riding and will primarily use it as a commuter to and from work with the occasional ride out in the country.

I wanted a bike that I could grow into over the next several years and I wouldn't be bored with shortly after getting back into the saddle. I haven't ridden one yet as they are very hard to find in stock and you basically have to order one but everything I am reading says the bike is a torque monster but is very manageable. Especially in the lower rider settings.

ABS, traction control, lift control, etc.

I know myself well enough that I would never have recommended this bike for my young self as I rode that CBR like an idiot. As I've grown older I've learned self control and would never consider riding like that again. Other than the occasional spirited run down the on-ramp to the interstate I drive like an adult.

What does the Sigforum brain trust think of my decision?

I don't have any experience with them, but it looks like a fantastic bike on paper. I hope it's every bit as much fun to ride as it looks like it is.

Good choice. Most important decision you can make is to re-take an MSF rider training course.

Don’t know enough to comment on the specific bike, but three thoughts come to mind:

Life is short, scratch the itch.

Please watch out for morons texting and driving.

Have fun!

Lots more traffic and distracted drivers these days than there were 25 yrs ago. I got back into riding around 2006 and that was commuting in DC-area traffic. It ain't better than is used to be.

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
Good choice. Most important decision you can make is to re-take an MSF rider training course.

Yeah, will definitely take the safety course. A bonus to the course is it also satisfies your DMV riding test and a discount on my insurance.

Don’t forget to budget for gear. Tee shirts, shorts and flip flops are not considered gear.

Way to many hazards out on the open road these days to risk it. Other than short trips for me. I won't have one that would have me out on the road in traffic these days.

Best of luck.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Way to many hazards out on the open road these days to risk it. Other than short trips for me. I won't have one that would have me out on the road in traffic these days.

Best of luck.

I started riding when I was 15 and had a motorcycle continuously from then until 16 years ago. At that point I decided it had just gotten too crazy on the streets and I sold my last bike.

I still miss it though.

quote:

Originally posted by maddy345:
I've had the itch for a couple of years now and I'm ready to get back into riding at 45 years old. My entire family rode when I was in high school and when I left to join the US Coast Guard I gave up riding.

Grew up on a Honda Shadow and a CBR1000F, parents rode BMW's and my brother still rides Harley's.

After months of research I've decided on a 2021 Yamaha MT-09. I don't plan to do any long distance riding and will primarily use it as a commuter to and from work with the occasional ride out in the country.

I wanted a bike that I could grow into over the next several years and I wouldn't be bored with shortly after getting back into the saddle. I haven't ridden one yet as they are very hard to find in stock and you basically have to order one but everything I am reading says the bike is a torque monster but is very manageable. Especially in the lower rider settings.

ABS, traction control, lift control, etc.

I know myself well enough that I would never have recommended this bike for my young self as I rode that CBR like an idiot. As I've grown older I've learned self control and would never consider riding like that again. Other than the occasional spirited run down the on-ramp to the interstate I drive like an adult.

What does the Sigforum brain trust think of my decision?

Great choice on the 2021 Yamaha MT-09. That bad boy has some power in the right places so be careful.


I have a 2017 CBR1000rr. The weight of the bike feels like a 600cc motorcycle. It's extremely nimble. Back in the day, a 1000CC motorcycle didn't have traction control, ABS, etc.. These days pretty much all of them do. This is a great option for anyone that wishes to dial back the power until the time they choose.






Here is the FZ-07 with full stunt cage.
It's a lot of fun and a wheelie machine.

You chose well, Grasshopper!

I have the FJ09 which is it's more touring-oriented brother.

The 900 triple is an AMAZING engine, happy to dawdle along at 3000 RPM in any gear, or flat RIP into triple digits if you twist it's ear.

The upright riding position is back-friendly and the main reason I was interested in it to begin with.

I'd kill myself on that bike, I just know it. Whenever I ride my son's Triumph Daytona, I find the bike has difficulty doing the speed limit.

Like you, I had a bike as a youngster, and then took a decades-long break. Always had dirt bikes, racing quads, and four-wheelers, but nothing on road. When my teenager bought the Daytona, I decided to get back in the saddle so I could accompany him on rides. However, I went old school and bought old stuff.

So a few months later, I now own a 1977 Yamaha XS650, a 1980 Honda CB900C, a 1982 Honda CB450SC Nighthawk, and a 1984 Honda GL1200 Interstate. The Interstate is in pieces and was basically given to me. A project for the future. The other two Hondas are nearly perfect, with the Nighthawk being nearly museum ready, all original. The Yamaha is what I would describe as "rough and ready." Let's just say I'm not posting its pic over at xs650.com.

Of all those, the XS650 is the most fun to ride, and the one I'm using as a daily commuter. Vibrate you right off the bike, but so punchy and fun. Traction control? That is when the center stand starts to drag in corners.

In my two months of riding again, I'm finding that the number one way to get killed seems to be an intersection where a vehicle is getting ready to make a left turn yield in front of you. I just assume they don't see me and are going to make the turn in my path of travel. Most of the time they seem like they are going to anyway. This is especially true on a road with a high speed limit, but still with traffic lights. I'm also nervous when I'm stopped at a light all by myself. I keep an eye in my mirror to be sure I'm not going to get run over. I usually squeeze the brakes a couple times to flash my taillight until I see the car is going to stop.

Have fun and stay safe.

quote:

Originally posted by maddy345:


....After months of research I've decided on a 2021 Yamaha MT-09. I don't plan to do any long distance riding and will primarily use it as a commuter to and from work with the occasional ride out in the country.

I wanted a bike that I could grow into over the next several years and I wouldn't be bored with shortly after getting back into the saddle.

The MT-09 is a powerful, naked, bike. I had an FJ-09 which uses the same motor and my main gripe was the over sensitive throttle which made it sort of jerky at slow speed in 1st and 2nd gear. I have to think Yamaha has improved this. That bike is now called Tracer.
Have you considered an MT-07? For the type of riding you intend to do it could be a good option and maybe even more fun since it's lighter, the twin cylinder engine will make less heat, and it's a couple thousand dollars less. My Tenere' uses the same 700cc engine and it's a really nice one, very smooth, makes power everywhere, and has wonderful throttling.
Something to consider, and hopefully will be the case, is that you really enjoy riding and decide to ride more than you thought. Maybe an overnight ride to visit a friend, or getting up out of the Summer heat on the Blue Ridge Parkway which you're fairly close to and is one of the "must ride" motorcycle roads. For this, even for commuting for that matter, it's nice to have a set of soft saddlebags to carry things like a wind breaker, rain suit, hat, sun glasses, water, pick up something at the store on the way home, etc. Yamaha offers soft bags along with a stay that snaps on and off just for the MT's which is pretty slick. The stay keeps the bags from tucking in toward the wheel.
I hope you can locate an MT because motorcycles are in pretty short supply around here now.

quote:

I keep an eye in my mirror to be sure I'm not going to get run over. I usually squeeze the brakes a couple times to flash my taillight until I see the car is going to stop.

Have fun and stay safe.

Add one of these to your bike, it does it for you.

https://www.customdynamics.com...ight-flasher?cat=244

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by maddy345:


....After months of research I've decided on a 2021 Yamaha MT-09. I don't plan to do any long distance riding and will primarily use it as a commuter to and from work with the occasional ride out in the country.

I wanted a bike that I could grow into over the next several years and I wouldn't be bored with shortly after getting back into the saddle.

The MT-09 is a powerful, naked, bike. I had an FJ-09 which uses the same motor and my main gripe was the over sensitive throttle which made it sort of jerky at slow speed in 1st and 2nd gear. I have to think Yamaha has improved this. That bike is now called Tracer.
Have you considered an MT-07? For the type of riding you intend to do it could be a good option and maybe even more fun since it's lighter, the twin cylinder engine will make less heat, and it's a couple thousand dollars less. My Tenere' uses the same 700cc engine and it's a really nice one, very smooth, makes power everywhere, and has wonderful throttling.
Something to consider, and hopefully will be the case, is that you really enjoy riding and decide to ride more than you thought. Maybe an overnight ride to visit a friend, or getting up out of the Summer heat on the Blue Ridge Parkway which you're fairly close to and is one of the "must ride" motorcycle roads. For this, even for commuting for that matter, it's nice to have a set of soft saddlebags to carry things like a wind breaker, rain suit, hat, sun glasses, water, pick up something at the store on the way home, etc. Yamaha offers soft bags along with a stay that snaps on and off just for the MT's which is pretty slick. The stay keeps the bags from tucking in toward the wheel.
I hope you can locate an MT because motorcycles are in pretty short supply around here now.

I did entertain the MT-07 for a while but it is just too small for me. I'm 6' 3", 180lbs so tall but not heavy.

The MT-09 has been re-done for 2021 and now has a fly-by-wire system for the throttle that is supposed to make the bike very smooth under increasing throttle.

I will definitely add some soft saddle bags at some point for those longer cruises like to the Blue Ridge Parkway (one of my favorites places in NC by the way).

The MT's, especially the MT-09, are very hard to find right now. A dealer close to me has three on order that should be here in a few weeks, one in the particular color I'm looking for (Storm Fluo). I plan to go tomorrow to pay the deposit on it.

Good choice!
And definitely do the MSF Experienced Rider Course. It will be more relevant to your skill level.
Get some good gear. Armored motorcycle gear has improved amazingly, since you last rode.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

I keep an eye in my mirror to be sure I'm not going to get run over. I usually squeeze the brakes a couple times to flash my taillight until I see the car is going to stop.

Have fun and stay safe.

Add one of these to your bike, it does it for you.

https://www.customdynamics.com...ight-flasher?cat=244

Cool. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by maddy345:

I did entertain the MT-07 for a while but it is just too small for me. I'm 6' 3", 180lbs so tall but not heavy.

The MT-09 has been re-done for 2021 and now has a fly-by-wire system for the throttle that is supposed to make the bike very smooth under increasing throttle.

I will definitely add some soft saddle bags at some point for those longer cruises like to the Blue Ridge Parkway (one of my favorites places in NC by the way).

The MT's, especially the MT-09, are very hard to find right now. A dealer close to me has three on order that should be here in a few weeks, one in the particular color I'm looking for (Storm Fluo). I plan to go tomorrow to pay the deposit on it.

Makes sense go with the larger MT-09. I didn't realize how small the MT-07 is, WB is only 55". MT-09 is a bit over 56". The T700 with larger wheels and 63" WB is noticeably larger.
Yeah an MT-09 with a set of bags and maybe a small shield will make for a very versatile motorcycle.

Motorcycle safety riders course highly encouraged even for experienced riders. Proper endorcement on drivers liscene for motorcycle operation because some times depending on state law and insurance company policy any and all insurance coverages can be denied without the endorsement. Some insurance companies give a reduced rate for sucessfull completion of the rider saftey course. Proper riding gear required so as to protect you from the agravated dumb a-- drivers that will claim they did not see you or thought that you could get out of the way. The old saying about "loud pipes saves lives" can work for you as well as against you. In 2006 acquired my bike after a 35 year break in riding. Lost my 05 Honda VTX 1800F2 in 2016 due to flood waters over the top of the gas tank for several days. 10 years and 77,000 miles and yes I miss it but insurance made a reasonable offer so I let it go.... What ever you do ride safe and have fun. ................................... drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by phydough:
Don’t forget to budget for gear. Tee shirts, shorts and flip flops are not considered gear.

Only if it's a GSX-R, then that's normal squid-apparel.

I got rid of the bike a few months ago, made the wife too nervous with me riding in Houston traffic.
Now I have a replica Lotus 7 project in the garage , about as close to a motorcycle on 4 wheels as you can get.