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AMT ends MT-09 manual work
20 March 2025
AMT ends MT-09 manual work
For some – indeed many of us – shifting through the gears is part of riding’s joy.
But, as Paul Browne found out, dropping an automatic transmission on Yamaha’s MT-09 doesn’t mean doing away with any of the fun.
A manual switch helped mind you.
I had my first spin on Yamaha’s new MT-09 with an automatic gear box last week.
As I sidle up to a bike which trades as the MT-09 Y-AMT, the first thing that I notice other than a lack of gear and clutch levers is the electronic ignition.
This is the first time I’ve seen keyless ignition used on a Yamaha.
Otherwise it’s as you were with the frame, chassis, wheels, engine and TFT screen all as per the original MT-09.
Twist and really go
Starting it necessitates putting the side stand up and pulling in the front brake.
Once it’s running at a low idle it’ll just sit there. It’s a simple ‘twist and go’ affair.
On the right hand bar there’s a selector button that allows me to choose between a manual transmission, displayed on the TFT screen as MT, or an automatic setting, AT.
The latter offers direct drive which can be chosen in either the softer D setting, which worked very well around the city, or D+ which waited until the bike was higher up in the rev range before it hooked the next gear.
These were easy to choose and change between on the move via the bike’s mode button.
Flicking through the manual
The manual changer, however, was where I found the real fun.
Beneath the left bar there’s a see-saw lever. I press the outside one to change up with my index finger and the inside one with my thumb to change down.
Adding a little bit of throttle blip at each down change makes it easier, but the upshift is like a quick shifter.
I didn’t need to back off in any way.
Sold secure
I usually park my bike up in first. When I did this with the AMT, as there’s no conventional gear lever to push it back into neutral, or a clutch lever to pull in, there’s also no way of getting it back into neutral without the fob.
It’s quite simply ‘stuck to the ground’ and cannot be rolled away. A very helpful default when it comes to motorcycle security, especially in our capital city.
Yamaha have made the space for the AMT system with a slightly larger casing on the right hand side of the engine.
It’s completely unobtrusive and takes nothing away from the bike’s looks.
The standard machine tips the scales at 193 kilos, the slightly heavier SP at 194. The AMT comes in at 196.
After riding the AMT I have to admit that I would have a hard time choosing between it and a standard machine. Incidentally, the transmission technology is also now available on the new Tracer 900.
The MT-09 Y-AMT costs €12,899, the SP is more expensive at €13,999. Both, though, are currently on offer meaning the standard machine will run you 12,399 and the SP €12,849 .
The AMT is available to take for a test ride from Yamaha dealers across Ireland.
