Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT Review (2026): Specs, 119 PS & Automatic Test
Yamaha's revolutionary clutchless hyper-naked. Powered by the 890cc CP3 crossplane triple (119 PS / 93 Nm), dual electromechanical Y-AMT shift actuators, finger-trigger manual paddle shifters, 6-axis IMU electronics, and $11,200 USD MSRP.
The Strengths
- Electrifying 890cc CP3 crossplane inline-triple engine delivering explosive mid-range punch and sound
- Lightning-fast, clutchless gear shifts via tactile see-saw finger triggers on the left handlebar switchgear
- Negligible 2.8 kg weight penalty over the standard manual bike, preserving 196 kg lightweight agility
- Dual automatic profiles: 'D' mode for relaxed city stop-and-go commuting and 'D+' mode for high-RPM corner carving
- Full 6-axis IMU rider aid suite including lean-sensitive Traction Control, Slide Control, Lift Control, and Brake Control
The Compromises
- Purist riders who enjoy manual clutch slipping during low-speed maneuvers will miss the physical clutch lever
- Downshifts in 'D' automatic mode can occasionally feel stepped when braking abruptly into tight roundabouts
- Compact 14-liter fuel tank yields approximately 260 km range under spirited throttle usage
890cc Liquid-Cooled CP3 Crossplane Inline-Triple Engine
120-degree crankshaft firing interval providing linear torque, acoustic intake tuning, and ride-by-wire throttle.
Acceleration Telemetry, Top Speed Runs & Shift Actuator Benchmarks
Tested VBOX acceleration sprints, GPS top speed runs, and real-world fuel economy figures.
Dual Electromechanical Actuators & CF Die-Cast Aluminum Deltabox Frame
Clutch and shift-drum actuators integrated into the engine casing with zero external fluid lines.
Chassis & Transmission Engineering
- CF die-cast aluminum Deltabox frame optimized for high torsional rigidity and razor-sharp flickability
- Two high-speed electric motor actuators controlling the clutch pack and gear selector barrel via dedicated ECU logic
- Zero mechanical clutch lever on left handlebar and zero foot shift lever on left footpeg
- 41mm fully adjustable KYB inverted front forks with DLC coating and linked KYB rear shock absorber
- Twin 298mm front discs with radial-mount 4-piston calipers and Brembo radial master cylinder
- SpinForged 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels fitted with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tires
5-Inch Full-Color TFT Console, Garmin Navigation & Tactile Shift Switchgear
Smartphone connectivity, 4 customizable YRC riding modes, and ergonomic see-saw shift paddle.
Cockpit & Electronics Features
- 5-inch full-color TFT display with 4 selectable screen themes, turn-by-turn Garmin navigation, and call/music controls
- Left switchgear see-saw finger trigger: pull '+' with index finger to upshift, push '-' with thumb to downshift
- Yamaha Ride Control (YRC) modes: Sport, Street, Rain, plus two customizable Custom maps with launch control
- 6-axis IMU controlling Lean-Sensitive Traction Control (TCS), Slide Control (SCS), Front Wheel Lift Control (LIF), and Brake Control (BC)
- Cruise control system operable in both MT manual trigger and AT automatic modes for relaxed highway touring
Complete 30-Point Technical Specification Matrix
Comprehensive engineering data, mechanical parameters, and dimensions for the Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT.
1. Engine, Powertrain & Performance Architecture
Engine Specifications
Transmission & Electronics
2. Chassis, Suspension, Brakes & Dimensions
Chassis & Suspension
Brakes & Dimensions
3. Real-World Benchmarks, Pricing & Ownership
Performance Benchmarks
Commercial & Pricing
Is the Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT the Future of Hyper-Naked Sportbikes?
Buy If You Want
- Explosive 119 PS CP3 inline-triple engine with addictive crossplane intake sound
- Lightning-fast finger-trigger paddle shifting that keeps hands and feet firmly planted
- Stress-free stop-and-go commuting with zero hand fatigue in heavy city traffic
- Comprehensive 6-axis IMU electronic rider aids including slide control and lift control
Skip If You Need
- A traditional manual clutch lever for intentional low-speed clutch slipping and stunt riding
- A relaxed touring windscreen and luggage capacity for multi-week continent crossing
Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT: Actuator Telemetry, CP3 Dyno & Track Shifting Audit
Automated gearboxes in motorcycling have arrived in full force. Following Honda's E-Clutch and BMW's Automated Shift Assistant (ASA), Yamaha has introduced its own proprietary system: the Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT) on the flagship MT-09 hyper-naked. Read our comprehensive technical comparison in our BMW ASA vs Honda E-Clutch vs Yamaha Y-AMT guide, explore the technology in our clutchless motorcycles deep dive, check quarter-liter supersport sibling updates in the Yamaha YZF-R2 review, and see middleweight adventure capability in our Yamaha Tenere 700 review.
1. Y-AMT Actuator Mechanics & Finger-Trigger Shifting
Unlike Honda's Dual Clutch Transmission (which requires twin clutches and adds 10+ kg), Y-AMT retains the standard 6-speed constant-mesh gearbox. Two compact electromechanical actuators operate the multi-plate wet clutch and the shift drum. Weighing just 2.8 kg, the system executes gear shifts in under 100 milliseconds via the handlebar see-saw trigger. For superbike comparisons, explore the BMW S1000RR review, the parallel-twin Suzuki GSX-8R review, and high-performance electric superbikes in our Ola Roadster Pro review.
2. CP3 890cc Crossplane Powertrain & 6-Axis IMU Suite
The 890cc CP3 engine delivers 119 PS at 10,000 RPM and 93 Nm of torque at 7,000 RPM. Managed by Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) and a 6-axis IMU, the ECU regulates engine torque output during Y-AMT gear changes for seamless power transfer without chassis pitch. For single-cylinder naked alternatives, review the KTM Duke 390 Gen 3 review, the Duke 390 Gen 3 telemetry audit, and the KTM 250 Duke review.
3. Track Dyno Telemetry & Market Alternatives
On track and canyon roads, shifting with index fingers while hanging off allows riders to maintain firm tank grip with both feet, shaving tenths off lap times. Retailing at $11,200 USD (£10,660 UK), the MT-09 Y-AMT sets a new benchmark for accessible performance automation. For adventure touring comparisons, see our CFMoto 450MT review and the retro scrambler Royal Enfield Bear 650 review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT) uses two electromechanical actuators to operate the clutch and gear shift drum automatically. There is no hand clutch lever or foot shift lever; riders can select manual finger-trigger shifting (MT Mode) or fully automatic shifting (AT Mode with D and D+ profiles).
The MT-09 Y-AMT retails at an MSRP of $11,200 USD in North America, £10,660 in the United Kingdom, and approximately $18,099 AUD in Australia.
It is powered by the 890cc liquid-cooled DOHC CP3 inline 3-cylinder engine producing 119.0 PS (117.3 bhp) at 10,000 RPM and 93.0 Nm of torque at 7,000 RPM.
The entire dual-actuator system and ECU integration adds only 2.8 kg, resulting in a total wet curb weight of 196 kg.
It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.20 seconds and achieves a GPS-verified top speed of 225 km/h (electronically limited).
While Honda E-Clutch retains a physical foot lever, Yamaha Y-AMT eliminates both the clutch lever and foot shifter for true finger-paddle racing controls, while BMW ASA offers a similar automated architecture on larger boxer platforms.