Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 vs. Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Overview - Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Technical Specifications Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 compared to Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	78 mm	Bore	92 mm
Stroke	Stroke	59.1 mm	Stroke	75.1 mm
Engine power	Engine power	115 HP	Engine power	95 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	10,000 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	87.5 Nm	Torque	98 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	8,500 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Ignition	Ignition	Transistor	Ignition	Transistor
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Chain
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Cylinders	Cylinders	3	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	847 ccm	Displacement	998 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Brand	Brand	Kayaba	Brand	Showa
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Shock mount	Shock mount	Deflection	Shock mount	Pro-Link
Brand	Brand	Öhlins	Brand	Showa
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Aluminium	Frame	Steel

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	298 mm	Diameter	310 mm

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	245 mm	Diameter	256 mm

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Quickshifter, Traction control	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	120 mm	Front tyre width	90 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	90 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	21 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	180 mm	Rear tyre width	150 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	55 %	Rear tyre height	70 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	18 inch
Length	Length	2,160 mm	Length	2,335 mm
Width	Width	850 mm	Width	875 mm
Height	Height	1,375 mm	Height	1,475 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,500 mm	Wheelbase	1,575 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	820 mm	Seat Height	850 mm
Seat Height up to	Seat Height up to	865 mm	Seat Height up to	870 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	193 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	232 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

The Yamaha MT-09 SP is the refinement of an already very good mid-range naked bike. With better suspension components from Öhlins and Kayaba, a nicer paint job and a justifiably higher price, the SP version is clearly the sportiest choice within the Yamaha MT-09 range. The brute power of the engine does not allow the MT-09 SP to be ridden comfortably, but that is not necessary on the "Special" - the fun is clearly in the foreground! The Yamaha MT-09 EVO with Wilbers suspension is now available as an interesting alternative, because it has no "war paint" and is very discreet. But unfortunately only for Switzerland...

incredibly powerful three-cylinder engine

good brakes

sporty and comfortable seating position

ABS

traction control

shift assistant

high saddle

shift assistant only for upshifting

instruments do not stand out strongly from the basic version

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

The new Africa Twin has come exactly as fans expected: Well controllable, unagitated and a wonderful travelling companion. The fact that it also looks extremely good was a pleasant bonus. So there is no reason to fundamentally change the Africa Twin, what was good remains good on the new one - and much has been improved. Thanks to Ride by Wire, you can now also enjoy performance modes on the Africa Twin, and the traction control can be adjusted 7-fold (instead of 3-fold previously) and switched off. The optional DCT is still a big hit and a lot of fun, but it also costs a lot.

Reliable engine

comfortable seating position

well-tuned chassis

good looks

good brakes

optional DCT

performance modes

not quite optimal wind protection

no cruise control

ABS on front wheel cannot be switched off