2025 Yamaha R9 First Ride Review
The R9 is Yamaha's attempt to blend track-ready DNA with real-world street usability. It offers an aggressive R-series experience that is surprisingly manageable for the city.
- Top-tier Brakes: Brembo Stylema calipers, a Brembo master cylinder, and steel braided lines deliver incredible feel.
- Quick Shifter Perfection: Smooth with minimal power interruption and excellent feedback.
- Confidence-Inspiring Chassis: Adjustable KYB suspension and a balanced chassis feel light and planted in corners.
- Low-End Torque: Feels a bit lacking for city riding when you need a quick punch.
- Restricted Second Gear: Some sluggishness likely due to EPA tuning, which may need an aftermarket tune.
- Aggressive Ergonomics: Perched pegs and a committed position make long commutes less ideal.
Performance Highlights
The R9 is powered by the familiar 890cc CP3 triple, providing a thrilling pull once you wind it up. While it’s not a direct R6 replacement, it offers a punchy delivery that excels on the highway. The bike remains remarkably smooth at high speeds with almost no vibration, and the handling is precise enough to feel planted even when riding spiritedly.
Quick stats: 116 hp • 69 ft-lbs • 430 lbs wet
Rider Experience & Tech
The body position is aggressive—around an 8.5 or 9 on the scale—but fits well when you're tucked in. At 5'10" with a 32-inch inseam, it's possible to flat-foot the bike, though shorter riders will likely be on their tiptoes. The seat is on the firmer side but stays comfortable enough for a sport bike.
Yamaha has finally moved past their “garbage” screen era with a sharp 5-inch TFT display. It features multiple rider modes (Rain, Street, Sport, and Custom) and even includes cruise control, which is a massive win for a bike in this category. The controls are mostly intuitive, though the new turn signal placement takes some getting used to.
The Chase Score & Final Thoughts
With a Chase Score of 75/100, the Yamaha R9 is a phenomenal street-focused sport bike that doesn’t sacrifice its track soul. It’s significantly easier to live with than an R6 or R1, thanks to its lightweight feel and refined tech package. While it needs a little more grunt down low to be perfect, it’s one of the most confidence-inspiring motorcycles on the market today.
Who it’s for: riders who want the R-series look and performance but spend most of their time on the street rather than the track.
Who should skip: riders looking for a relaxed commuter or those who crave the high-revving scream of a traditional inline-four.