NHTSA Complaint #11719044 — 2024 YAMAHA MT-09

Purchased a new 2024 Yamaha MT-09 on 10/20/24. No test drive was allowed by the dealer prior to purchase. There is a safety-related defect affecting the motorcycle which appears to involve the engine control unit (ECU) programming and results in significant loss of engine power and throttle response in 2nd gear. The motorcycle hesitates when accelerating in 2nd gear between approximately 1,500–4,000 RPM, before regaining normal power at higher RPM or in other gears. This issue feels like a dead spot in the power delivery and restricted throttle response. This is not a normal riding experience and differs significantly from expected power delivery compared to other motorcycles. This lack of power in 2nd gear poses a huge safety risk when merging, avoiding hazards, navigating traffic, etc. 2nd gear should be the sweet spot to get out of potentially hazardous situations. A multitude of times now I have gone out to pass a vehicle on a 2 lane road with oncoming cars in the distance, and there is no power in 2nd gear to do so. This is a HUGE safety hazard! I have to UPSHIFT to 3rd gear to get any power in order to safely pass the vehicle in front of me and avoid a head on collision with the oncoming traffic. I have gone round and round with Yamaha for over a year now regarding this issue and they refuse to stand behind their product, take responsibility for this blatant defect, fix the issue under warranty, issue a recall, take the motorcycle back for a full refund or offer reimbursement to live with the flawed design, and has no regard for customer satisfaction. This matter needs to be fully investigated as a motorcycle safety defect, and Yamaha needs to be held accountable for their unscrupulous business practices. I’m requesting that Yamaha refund me $3,500 of the $12,000 purchase price to live with the defect for this long, and for compensation for my exorbitant inconvenience for having to point out the obvious, and be dragged through this corporate charade