2025 Yamaha R9 First Ride: Supersport for the Real World

When Yamaha invites us to ride the all-new 2025 R9 at Sonoma Raceway, I jump at the opportunity. I know Yamaha’s reputation for performance motorcycles, and can’t wait to swing a leg over their new supersport. I also know it will be a blast to ride on this renowned track. But with rain falling steadily over Northern California’s rolling hills, the conditions are less than ideal. I shift my mindset from track riding to street riding for the morning.

It's always a bummer to head out for a track day under dark skies and torrential rain. But this time the rain forced us to take it down a few notches and experience the R9 as Yamaha promotes it, an “accessible supersport.”

The Yamaha R9 Rides the Rain Away at Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma Raceway, nestled in California’s wine country, is one of the most technical tracks in the U.S. with blind crests, tight corners, and dramatic elevation changes. The rain adds a layer of challenge, but Yamaha’s R9 handles it with confidence. From the moment I roll onto the wet track, I am impressed by how planted the bike feels. I quickly trust its electronics to help me focus on my line, body position, and braking. As the track dries out, the R9 reveals itself as a torquey, confidence-inspiring master of all conditions. After a day on the bike, I can say the R9 delivers on its promise of a superbike that is usable for any rider.

Although I didn’t get to ride the R9 on the street, riding at lower speeds on the wet track provided a real-world impression. The capable machine inspires confidence with enough comfort that I can imagine riding it on an all day sport-touring ride.

The bike’s ergonomics, for my 5-foot-4-inch stature, are comfortable and balanced, especially for a track-worthy motorcycle. The clip-on handlebars are rotated slightly forward for better upper-body mobility—think modern MotoGP body positioning—but they’re still comfortable enough for all-day street rides.

The Yamaha R9’s 32.7 inch seat height is tall but standard for a sportbike. The seat is lower than on the R6 and narrower at the tank junction. Ignore the ugly rainsuit for now. Just notice how the narrow seat allows your legs to go straight down, making it feel surprisingly low. I was able to get a very solid foot down on one side, even in full leathers.

High-Performance Thrills Without the High-end Price

The Yamaha R9 sits in a sweet spot between the popular R7 and the liter-class R1. It’s powered by Yamaha’s CP3 engine, the same 890cc inline triple that’s proven itself in the MT-09. But here, it’s retuned for smoother, more linear power that comes on early—meaning you don’t have to wring it out to have fun. And that low-end torque? The triple engine is quick off the line and powers exhilaratingly out of corners.

Yamaha’s decision to reuse existing components, like the CP3 engine and the R6’s wheels, keeps the price down without sacrificing performance. At $12,499, the R9 is competitively priced while delivering features usually found on much more expensive bikes. The R9 delivers high-performance thrills without the high-end price tag.

Street to Track: Built for Both Worlds

The R9 may not wear the “superbike” title officially, but with its 117-horsepower CP3 engine, race-bred chassis, premium Brembo brakes, MotoGP-derived electronics, and aerodynamic winglets that add real downforce at speed, it delivers the kind of performance, precision, and excitement you'd expect from a true liter-class machine—just in a more accessible, rider-friendly package.

You might have noticed the “winglets” jutting out of the lower front fairing on modern sportbikes. These are functional elements, channeling airflow to create real downforce at high speeds. This improves front-end grip and stability and is like having MotoGP tech in your own garage.

The R9 is designed to transform from an everyday street bike into a capable track machine. Integrated mirrors can be removed quickly and cleanly—no exposed brackets or awkward hardware.

Racers and track riders like to reverse the shift pattern to make it easier to shift up quickly. The R9 comes with a quick-shifter enabling the rider to shift without deploying the clutch. When taking the R9 to the track, the quick shifter is pre-threaded to allow for a fast conversion to race-style reverse shifting with the twist of an allen wrench.

Dial It In with Ride Modes

Yamaha’s R9 electronics package offers an impressive number of modes for street or track riding. Using the 6-axis IMU (an electronic device that measures a motorcycle's movement in three dimensions) from the R1, it reads lean angle, pitch, yaw. This enables the bike to manage traction control, slide control, wheelie control, and ABS.

For the street, there are five ride modes: Sport, Street, Rain, and two customizable modes where you can adjust each setting independently. On the track, you unlock four dedicated modes, including options with reduced ABS intervention and more aggressive throttle response.

Switching modes on the R9 is easy via the handlebar joystick, and with the Yamaha Rider Control (YRC) system, you can fine-tune the ride exactly how you want it. You can even control the modes from your phone using Yamaha’s app. Choose your adventure—ride modes for any condition, easily switchable on the fly.

Next-Level Suspension That Really Works

The R9 is the first Yamaha street bike to feature KYB’s separate function fork with a base valve—a design previously used in racing. This technology provides smoother, more predictable damping, especially over small bumps or mid-corner imperfections. On a rainy track day like ours, this made a noticeable difference in front-end confidence.

The rear shock has been updated too, with a new swing valve system for better control at low speeds (like the initial hit of a bump), which helps the tire stay planted—key when traction is limited.

State-of-the-art KYB suspension smooths out the ride, even on choppy pavement or wet track conditions. The forks offer several possible adjustments to fine tune the bike’s stability and reaction.

Well Planned, Down to the Wheels

Instead of using the newer MT-09’s lighter wheels, Yamaha opted for the proven R6 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels. Why? The slightly heavier setup offers better feedback and a more planted feeling at max lean angle. This subtle choice reflects Yamaha’s focus on real-world rideability and confidence over specs on paper.

Y-TRAC: MotoGP Tech in Your Pocket

One of the most exciting features of the R9 is Y-TRAC, a free app that lets you review data from your ride—just like the pros. It records up to 26 parameters including lean angle, brake pressure, throttle input, and more, then overlays that data onto a map of your ride or track session. You can use it to see where your traction control kicked in, adjust settings accordingly, and ultimately become a better rider.

Track day data nerds, rejoice! Yamaha’s Y-TRAC lets you analyze every apex, brake point, and lean angle. This level of rider feedback and connectivity at this price point is remarkable. Y-TRAC is an amazing tool for anyone looking to improve their skills.

Building on the R7 Legacy

Let’s not forget where this momentum started. The Yamaha R7, with its accessible price and confidence-inspiring performance, quickly became a favorite among newer riders and racers alike. The R7 even won two MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championships. The R9 builds on that legacy with more power, better suspension, and a tech package that makes it even more capable.

If you’ve outgrown the R7 or want something with more punch and refinement, the R9 is your natural next step.

Specs at a Glance: Yamaha YZF-R9

Engine size: 890cc
Seat Height: 32.7 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gallons
Wet Weight: 430 pounds
MSRP: $12,499
2025 Colors: Team Yamaha Blue, Matte Raven Black, Intensity White/Redline

WRN Recommendation

The R9 may not be a “superbike” by displacement definition, but it offers superbike-like performance in a simpler package that’s more inclusive for a broader range of riders—including women who want a powerful, modern machine that won’t punish on longer rides.

Yamaha’s 2025 R9 isn’t just a new model—it’s a new “philosophy.” Instead of chasing extreme performance numbers or catering only to elite racers, Yamaha has created a fun, fast, and functional bike that appeals to more riders. Whether you’re commuting, carving canyons, or doing your first track day, the R9 is a bike that makes you feel like a part of the sportbike world.

If you want the thrill of a superbike without the drama, the R9 is your sweet spot.

Confidence in the corners, calm in the cockpit. Whether twisting the torque up on the street or track, the R9 will be ready.