I picked up the Sharon’s because currently it’s the only option. The GYTR stuff is listed in a couple of places but it’s not ready to ship. The sharkskinz is what you would expect it to be. I’ll try to get it mounted this weekend and send off to paint next week.
I've seen several 21 up mt09 on Co part with the.entire steering head broken off of them right about the weld area for the tube. Had a guy on youtube vid reply to me that Yamaha Australia had sent him a letter stating they were designed this way for a crumple zone in frontal impact. Still sketchy looking as an owner.
Interesting, looking at my 24 (Gen 4) there isn't any weld at the neck, it's all one single casting? That said, the R9 is a different frame with a very different design and casting method, so what applies to the MT frame likely doesn't cross to the R9.
I just asked a salesman at Dreyer Yamaha in Indianapolis when I could get an R9 from them and the out the door price. Three of the sales guys all started laughing at the question, earliest possible delivery might be April 2026 or maybe summer and $15,000 out the door but could be more. Guess I am sticking with the old R6 for another season.
Picked mine up Friday afternoon and put a couple hundred miles on it over the weekend. Runs amazing, even bone stock. Not too comfortable compared to my ADV bike while cruising mellow on the bumpy back roads, but no surprise there. I had ordered a blue one, but ended up with white/red...and it's growing on me. Switched to GP shift this morning...had to tap the hole on the shift lever, it was drilled but not tapped. Quick shift up and down works super smoooooth!
I haven't ridden on the street since 1999. Took me a minute to remember LOL. I had to remind myself constantly about the normal shift since I kept taking off in second gear. Overall, it is a pretty cool bike.
After being able to play with all the functionality, this thing will be pretty sweet for what we plan to do. For example, the stock dash has the capability to be utilized as a lap timer and (with the app) the rider can receive short messages that will display on the screen from crew. It's been interesting sourcing parts as they come available. oddly enough we have kit parts already, but struggling to source a steering dampener that we don't have to do fab work for.
I'm working out the keyswitch elimination, will have my connector hopefully early next week to verify I ID'd it correctly.