Yamaha FZ-09 Insurance

The Yamaha FZ-09 — now known as the MT-09 in the USA — debuted in 2014 as a middleweight “sport naked” or “roadster motard.” The bike features a lightweight cast alloy frame and 847cc, 115-horsepower inline three with crossplane crankshaft and ride-by-wire throttle — Yamaha’s first “triple” since the XS850 of the early 1980s. The bike has been called a “roadster for all occasions,” and Cycle World selected the FZ-09 as the “Best Standard” of 2015, clocking the bike with a 1/4 mile time of 10.66 seconds at 125 mph.

Of course, this performance can lead to high insurance rates. The FZ-09/MT-09 isn’t nearly as expensive to insure as the race-bred Yamaha R1 or other liter-size superbikes, but rates can still be high — especially if you don’t do your homework and compare rates ahead of time.

Yamaha FZ-09 Insurance Rates

There’s a large amount of variance in motorcycle insurance rates, both from rider to rider and company to company. Different insurers categorize models differently. For instance, some may classify the FZ-09/MT-09 as a performance bike, while others as a standard. What’s more, rates vary depending on location, age, driving record, coverage limits, various riders, and even credit score. For this reason, it’s nearly impossible to estimate rates with getting quotes from various companies. Below, we surveyed various FZ-09 owners to find out how much they were paying for insurance.

• Male, 23, New York, Clean Record, Full Coverage, Progressive: $1356 / year
• Male, 28, Minnesota, Full Coverage, Acuity: $430 / year (Allstate was $2150)
• Male, 28, South Carolina, 1 ticket, Full Coverage, Progressive: $876 / year
• Male, 35, New York, Full Coverage ($500K/$1M/$300K), State Farm: $198 / year
• Male, 46, Georgia, Full Coverage, Foremost: $1400 / year
• Male, 47, Arizona, Full Coverage, Dairyland: $440 / year
• Male, 49, Texas, Clean Record, Full Coverage, Geico: $1800 / year

As evidenced above, rates vary widely from rider to rider, location to location, and company to company. Moreover, some riders reported the FZ-09 being categorized as a performance bike, which doubled their insurance costs. Another rider received quotes for $2150 and $1950 per year before finding a full coverage policy for less than $450 per month — a savings of 75%!

For this reason, it’s absolutely crucial to compare rates from multiple insurers before you buy. Fortunately, we’ve partnered with leading motorcycle insurers to help. Enter your zip code to begin

Yamaha FZ-09 / MT-09:  Model History

Some say the Yamaha FZ-09 was developed to restore the company’s reputation for street bike innovation. Whatever the reason, the FZ-09 has delivered in spades. It debuted in 2014 as the FZ-09 in North America and MT-09 in other markets — Yamaha’s first “triple” (three-cylinder) since the Yamaha XS750 and XS850 of the late 70s and early 80s.

The engine features a crossplane crankshaft and boasts 115 horsepower, capable of hurtling the naked bike through the quarter mile in less than 10.7 seconds. Cycle World named the bike 2015’s “Best Standard,” calling the FZ-09 an “up-to-the-minute streetfighter,” and the bike has compared well to rivals such as the Triumph Street Triple and Kawasaki Z900. In 2018, the bike was designated the MT-09 in the USA and Canada, and boasts fully adjustable suspension, traction control, a slipper clutch, and LED lighting.

In 2016, Yamaha introduced the XSR900, a “modern cafe racer” or “neo retro” machine that shares the same engine and underpinnings as the FZ-09. The XSR is designed to appeal to riders who wanted more of an old-school, nostalgic style that recalled the UJM machines of yesteryear.

Coverage Recommendations: Yamaha FZ / MT

In all but a handful of US states, you must carry a certain amount of liability coverage by law. Otherwise, your registration could be revoked. Some riders prefer to insure their bikes only to their state’s minimums, but these are typically insufficient for financial protection in the event of an accident.

What’s more, liability coverage only covers damages to third parties and their property in an accident — it will not cover you or your FZ. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to carry full coverage on your bike, including comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist, and a medical rider if applicable.

While this may sound like a complicated matter, an agent can walk you through the process if need be.  What’s more, you can enter your zip code below to compare rates and policies from popular motorcycle insurers in your area to make sure you get the best coverage for the price.