2021 MT-09 Drive Modes Explained For Beginners 

I’m brand new. I just bought this bike. The dealer said don’t bother with mode 4 just start on mode 3. And I started on mode 3. When I hit 4th gear 5000 rpm it scared me shitless. Went back to mode 4 lol.

When I bought the bike in the middle of December I drive it home in mode 4. I was a little nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I’m not a new rider but new again and only recently in the last yea or so gotten on my bros cbr 650f and lighter rides on his R6. I have my bike on mode 3 now but tried mode 2 by accident. Lol. The front wheel came up some when I opened it up but was more surprised than nervous. When I looked down I saw I must have hit the mode by accident. I still ride it on three but going to change that after my 600 mile service which I’m 3 miles away from. I have to say for me, mode 4 was like that cbr 650f but with more torque. I’ll be waiting a minute before drive mode 1 but I’ll get there. I’m smart enough to drive within my limits. Stay safe and great video.

Putting a deposit on a ‘22 MT09 as my first bike hopefully this week, thanks for explaining the new safety features, because a lot of past posts are like “do not get this bike if you’re new to bikes”

This video was super helpful, thank you. I have a good amount of experience with dirt bikes, fast electric motorcycles, fast cars etc and was looking at the 2022 XSR900 as my first bike. With all of the changes for 2022, it’s very similar to the 2022 MT09 and has all the same tech. A few people have suggested I get the MT07 instead, but this video pretty clearly shows that mode 3/4 are limited enough that I could easily use those to grow into the bike over the first year. Doesn’t make sense to me to buy a bike you know you’ll need to sell and replace in a year, when you can just drop your mode and basically ride a 600cc until you’re ready.

Great video as always. I moved from a scooter Honda ADV150 to the MT 09 and I felt so great. First motorbike ever. It's so much fun if ride safely. The 2021 model in Brazil riding at TCS2 and Mode2(D4) feels so safe even at high speeds. I got a steering damper from Matris for extra safe and I keep hitting the gas. NoFear! All the best mate!

Appreciate a detailed video about the modes, just bought my mt09sp and gotta wait for it to be imported

im riding a cbr fireblade 900 rr from '96 and i'm thinking to moving to an mt-09 great video helped me out alot!

My brother from another cycler! Thank you so much for this video you don't know how much it means to me. I was debating big time between mt7 and mt9 as future upgrade but i only have budget for 1 bike. I've been looking for a video of drive modes comparison for intermediate rider like me and this video saved me big time. I'll go with the mt-09 SP with mode 3 until i get comfortable with the twitchy throttle of the mt-09 Thank you and please ride safe brotha!

Thanks for making this video I have some experience riding a kawasaki klr 650, and wanted to pick this up and your explanation made me more comfortable purchasing this bike thanks again.

Such a good video, straight to the point and well explained. Thanks man. Was indecisive between street triple 675/765, mt09 and mt07 and I think I’ll have to go for the 09. I’ve owned a cb500 and mt03 before so not a complete noob.

Thakx for the video. Thinking between a few bikes, want this one most, this vid helped. Thanks

I just bought a 2021 Mt09 2 days ago but can’t ride yet cause there’s still snow and sandy roads. but learning a lot from your videos!

Thank you for this you’ve helped me make my decision on getting the Xsr900.

Excelente video, muy bien explicado, muy óptimo para motociclistas como yo que no hemos pasado de una 300 cc y querernos aventurarnos en las grandes ligas☺️☺️

Amazing video, will get a mt09 this year hopefully, keep up the good work mate

Thanks for this video. I'm new to riding and I had my eye on this bike because of the weaker mode 4. Definitely looking to pick it up as my first bike!

Thanks for the video. Great advice for me!

First off, cool side mirror! 2nd thanks for this now i’ve made up my mind that I will cop this bike 🏍😎 this was super helpful

Thank you very much for this valuable information about that bike, I will follow your advice with my new toy MT09. Blessings from Colombia bro👍👍

Awesome vid I'm new and about to do the class & after I get my license I want an MT O9. Thanks for sharing this info 👌🏽👍🏽💯

Great video well explained 👍 my 2021 Mt 09 is tamed on drive mode 4 and a beast on drive mode 1 it’s a bike you can grow with as you acquire more experience.

Great video! i bought your bike two weeks ago in the Orlando dealership. It is my first bike and i have to say that is really fun to ride!!! (it still has the sticker with your tag @!!!)

Thank you for this! I have to drive to home the new MT 09 I’m picking up tomorrow and was concerned because the dealer is in the city and was intimidated of how jerky the bike could be. Mode 4 looks smooth tho so that gave me peace of mind

Thanks so much for this video. I am stuck with R3 for the the past two years and wanting to upgrade. My eyes are on MT09 SP and there’s no dealer in my locale that had a demo bike for test the ride. I wanted to buy something that I can keep for 4-5 years without missing out on any fun. Not a big fan of having multiple bikes because I’m mostly a road rider. Now I’m going to buy the SP model. Subscribed, and thanks again

This is the video that anyone who thinks to buy this bike should watch, i haven’t find a video that explain it as clearly as this. I just bought a 2023 and a left the dealership in mode 2 that shit was crazy (fun, but scary as 💩 ) I think I would stay in mode 3 for a time. 💨🔥. Thanks for this excellent video 👊✊

Been riding for about 3 years and coming from a Honda Rebel 500. Just bought the MT09 last week & have slowly graduating from each power level lmaooo. Currently on Mode 2 / TCS 2. Bike is nuts coming from that 500.

Thanks for the clip ! This is the info I wanted to know . Everybody says the MT09 is not for the beginners , and I agree the 2014- 2020 was not beginner friendly , but the 2021 has better modes , and tech that allow you to drive safe . The MT07 does not have anything but ABS . The new Hornet CB750 is nice and have all the tech , but the price is pretty close to the MT09 . I can't find a dyno test with all the 4 modes , but test riding it is fine too . Thanks again !

This is def the move coming from an R3 I'm a little worried about how much power it has but those rider modes are nice that way I can ease into the power.

Really enjoyed it, nice

I bought a new gen '21 mt09 after having a '18 mt09 that had another $8k invested in it when I bought it. Yes, another $8k! Of course that included top of the line K-Tech suspension front and rear. In hindsight, I wish I would have spent the extra cash for the sp. Of course anything was going to be a step down after that spectacular '18 I had. I found a '18 mt10 with 1k on it, essentially new. I immediately put on a yosh 3/4 system and had David at Vcyclenut flash accordingly. All I can say is what a beast! The mt09 is still stock as I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it. Figure at least $1k for an exhaust, $300 for flash and I'd rather pay the guy that does it all day on the labor. So, you're close to $2k to make the new gen mt09 run "properly". Two very different bikes but love them both. Yamaha hit it out of the park with the whole mt line, mt07 FANTASTIC bike too but I can't justify 3 of them....lol.

I went from R3 to MT09, and I think maybe mode 2 is safe enough (was for me) when riding vigilant, but the bike is very intimidating. It's a beast! I'm 5'10, and not able to flat foot it. I'm still in the break in period, but I can't wait to hit the 1k mile marker to open it up. Then maybe I'll try mode 1 LOL! Great video covering very much details.🤙🏻

Hopefully this gets a bit of attention but for the Yamaha system, the higher the number the more tame the setting. The lowest setting is the most aggressive for everything whether it's 1 for drive mode or off for everything else. Drive mode 4 is the most tame, tcs, abs or lift control level 2 is the most tame.

Thanks for this video as I currently have a Harley Street 500 as my first bike and it’s been over a year and looking to upgrade and was looking at this bike. Feel like with the modes this can be ridden as a second bike and room to grow.

Dude, I liked the video a lot. I just got a little question. When you hit the gas I don’t see you pull the clutch in to change gear, how do you do that?? Or is it because when you edit it? Cause when you do the right turn and hit the gas I doesn’t feel like you doing the change but the bike. I might be wrong but I was just curious

What brand is your phone holder ? Everyone I've tried on y MT 09 blocks the instrument panel . Yours looks perfect !

You can actually hear the difference between the drive modes. This new technology is crazy. Still have yet to ride a newer bike. My 04 cbr1000rr doesn't even have abs. So have no clue how any of these new bikes feel.

What do you mean by the throttle is delayed or behind? Also is the on off throttle response at lower speeds snatchy or jerky? Are there flat spots in the throttle where you turn the throttle and nothing happens? Can’t get a test ride at local dealers. Trying to gather as much info as possible.

How effective is the lift control on the bike?

Hey Yari, have you thought of hand bar risers? I just ordered some Puig 3740N risers for my 2021 MT-09 SP. I want just a little more height on the hand bars. Would help my lower back. You should get some and do an install and review video.

Nice video, Thanks man

Awesome video! I saw your review of the strada carbon if it doesn't trouble you can you make a short or something of you wearing it and doing a 360 to get all angles I really want to see what I looks like on you with the blue tint! I plan on getting one exactly the same soon.

Picked one of these up yesterday as my first bike in the same colours. Need to sort a tail tidy and bar end mirrors etc. to make it look a bit better. Rode it mainly in 3 but tried 1 and 2 a few times. I love the handling of the thing and the quick shifter and auto blipper are an absolute joy. Don't think I would like to ride a bike without those now! What brand are your mirrors by the way and do they vibrate any? Thanks.

Nice video👌what bar ends do you use? 😁They look awsome with those mirrors👌

Nicely done Yama. If you haven't watched it, there's a video by TANKSLAPMOTO testing the "LIF Control". It's titled: Yamaha MT09 2021 - "LIF CONTROL" - Tested. Great to watch if you're just starting out to wheelie on the MT-09. Keep up the good work. Ride safe.

If you are in D1 and have lift control at 3 will it still wheelie?

Did you ever get a tune for the akrapovic exhaust? i bought the same exhaust just on a 2022 model and im not sure how i would go about getting the tune for the exhaust, do i just buy a power commander and find a tune hopefully for the same exhaust or is there other/ better options. Never tuned a bike before the is my 2nd bike and i heard it can run a little lean with an aftermarket exhaust and im just worried about damaging the motor potentially. Thanks!

isnt tcs and d mode 2 different selections? idk whats going on

Also drive modes 1-3 have the exact same power output, it’s just the throttle mapping is different between them

First like and first comment that would be a first for me. Keep up the great content

To me, it felt like modes 1-3 were the same power but had different levels of 'cable slackness'. Mode 4 I found a struggle to ride with. It was as if it ended up lugging the engine everywhere. Almost like letting the clutch out half a sec too early. You'd need to recalibrate your brain to rev half a sec early for it to sync up with the clutch. Or just use the quickshifter on every change, but I wouldn't recommend that between gears 1 & 2. Just my 2 cents.

Hey. Welche Griffe hast du verbaut? Sind die von Rizoma? Mit freundlichen Grüßen Marcel

nice review mate! what's your height? just for reference

I use D4 when in heavy traffic and D3 everywhere else unless i'm hitting twisties or cutting in between traffic. Then I go into D1.

Hi YamaYari . I likes your videos, can you make a video about how the lift control works? Is it possible to flip your motorcycle or can you just hold the throttle for full.

I am a real life new rider who got a ‘21 MT09… i can confirm drive mode 4 is super safe, I left the tcs in 2, but it’s not going to be “slow” to a new rider by any stretch. I ride in drive mode 2 on the highway and 3 on local roads now. I strongly vouch for a 21 MT09 being a safer bike than a MT07 given it’a safety features and won’t ever feel “slow”. Did not regret this move one bit and no, I still did not drop my bike.

I just swapped from MT07 to MT09 2022 for this season. Any comparison which mode is closest to MT07 power delivery? I guess its gonna be somewhere between 2 and 3. Im planning to start there... But I guess its gonna be mode 1 soon :D

Good Video! but ma dude you need a 4k camera ^^ 60fps or higher i reecommennd the Osmo 5 from DJI (comming out soon or you take the osmo 4) or the hero 11 or 12 gopro

I’m here on drive mode 4 thinking Shiet she’s got some guts !!! Well I have much to experience

What’s the max rpm in mode 4?

tbh i have a ninja 300 and a gsxr750, and i have more fun on the 300 but i like the ability to go fast in the 750. I kind of want this bike because i would like the comfy riding position, slap a puig touring adjustable windscreen on it and pin the throttle around in mode 4 while it being good on the highway with cruise control and wheelie control!

I think i'm gonna use D-MODE 4 for breaking in the engine. Looks the best way to control those rpm.

Drive mine in 1. Stay safe God bless ❤️

Is this with the Akra full exhaust pre-tune or post tune?

Where is the link for your mirrors??

Thank you soo much sir

Your exhaust sounds good! Probably not stock?

Thanks

What about the TCS? Did You test it on different levels?

I got mine on D-Mode 2, cause with D-Mode 1 my wrist starts cramping from being so careful/precise with the throttle..

Just bought a 2022 mt09 and did no research lol. Thanks for this video

Have you flashed the ecu yet??

I'm getting it

Excelente video, cuatro motos en una. Estoy pidiendola.

which power plant? do you work at vc summer power plant?

In your opinion what makes someone a new rider?

I'm buying a 2022 mt09 in 4 hours. I'm riding 2.5 hours home.....does it take premium fuel?

Coming from a Suzuki 600 bandit And then a cbr 600 f Zero electronics no abs Getting my mt 09sp 21’ in few days I’m not even bothering with 2,3,4 everything in 1 🤪

Do you hear rattling sound coming brim the back when ur riding

why you dont power wheelie the bike it limits it and you can shift into second gear with quick shifter and it puts it down smoothly but you take lift control off and its all bets off and you can do some dank nooners but i'm not brave enough for that lol turned it off once and almost looped it but had the rear brake covered and put it back down lol

Can you please provide the link for your cell phone holder ?

(I NEED HELP YAMAYARI!) i got some problems in the netherlands with my exhaust being to loud.... ofc... suppose to be 96-Db on 5k RPM not higher for this model.... so my question whas! do the sound (Db) get lower on mode 4 and higher on mode 1 ? if anyone know this info for this same bike PLEASE let me know! PS: love ur vids :)

this mod 1 , have an impact at your driving ? you know , 1 mod keep you on kind of train rails ?? ! Cause averybody said how playful is the Tracer 900 and Mt09 ,but when i ride it , i didnt find it playful at all . Now... this conclusion is falty cause the bike was set at mod 1 when i ride it ??????

Keep pressing the up button on TSC-mod to turn off TSC ✌️

I have the mt09. I dont know what it calls in english, the RPM bar? I dont know. Its First White then Green then Red/orange. How i Change it? My RPM ist Green all the way.

Oh yeah !

That 4Runner was sexy!!!

Your fork seals leak?

Bro what's the fuel range?

mirrors and gloves link please

Level 1 ecu flash and lets gooo

Hi, nice video, can you tell me your phone support name please? Thank you

Cue every newbie setting their bikes to drive mode 1. 🤣

slide me a link to ur mirrors homie

Dont know what that is you guys are having. Never heard anyone in germany talking about These modes. Use Mode one...done. Just take care. Where is the point in buying a bike with 120hp if you are afraid of it..Just get a smaller one and enjoy

Not for US roads bro

I see ruts in the road. Poorly maintained roads. Potholes. AlwYs pushing my bike. In some weird direction. And more seniors who don’t see me. That’s why I no longer ride

Hahaha that wheelie was incredibly underwhelming.it’s exactly what my wheelie will look like once I take delivery on mine