FJ-09 Safety Alert: How and Why to Replace the Clutch Cable

The clutch cable on the 2015/16 Yamaha FJ-09 (MT-09 Tracer) is prone to breaking anywhere between 2,000 and 20,000 miles due to a faulty design. If the cable breaks while riding this could potentially result in loss of control of the motorcycle. Replace your clutch cable with the updated 2017 part number before you are stranded on the side of the road or involved in an accident.

[@keithwashman3023]

Thanks for the informative video. Just replaced mine as well. It was started to break. I still can't believe Yamaha never acknowledged this was an issue... Oh and by tying the old and new cable together, I was able to thread it right through. No binding . I did, however, wrap some painters tape around the sharp parts of the cable to avoid scratches and make it easier. It went right through. Didn't have to remove the tank. Thanks again !

[@Vickeviren]

What end did you pull from? :D thx

[@jacobmoyer8848]

Great video thanks! I’ve got a 15 FJ09, used electrical tape to tape the old cable to the new cable and fed it through. Didn’t have to remove anything else!

[@lorenbourassa1780]

Yamaha should really have offered to replace these garbage cables free of charge. I can't believe this garbage design slipped through the cracks. One of the first things I noticed on my FJ09 was the clutch cable drag from that obtuse ferrule.

[@blurglide]

Oh crap. Yeah- I can feel mine want to just barely creep forward, too. It's also tough to push the bike even with the clutch in. Glad I saw this.

[@tripl3rider]

Mine snapped around 14k miles. Didn’t realize there was a difference in cables when I bought the new one but glad it does! Thanks for your FJ videos. Been commuting on my ‘15 for almost three years.

[@pipeone8151]

Mine got snapped in the middle of the desert at 9pm by Grand Canyon in Arizona, rode 144 miles on 6th gear and was able to get to my destination, it has been the craziest

[@ronnie3568]

I was stranded on the road, luckily I wasn't going fast when it broke. And here I am watching this video after a pleasant bike push last night. It broke at 4300 miles.

[@hopsing72]

Yikes!, dude says cable lasts 30 thousand miles!? Nearly everyone here saying less than half that. Mine stretched instantly but still had enough threads to make it home. I paid $40.00 from Yamaha. How’d he pay $21? Glad for this thorough explanation.

[@hopsing72]

Instantly after 17,000 miles that is.

[@rbbach1945]

Science_Biker- Tks for a freat video/explanation.Photography was great.I have a '15 FJ-09 (love it) with only 700 mi.I'l be keeping a close watch on the cable and will replace it sometime in the future.Thanks again,keep up good work.Old biker in Seattle.

[@sciencebiker9519]

richard bach Welcome Richard! Thanks for the feedback!

[@intense0excellent]

You're the man. Thanks for doing the research for us

[@jackpistone8015]

Will this new cable part number work on a 2014 fz09?

[@mainelee977]

This is a nice and usefull video. Thank you for taking the time.

[@pilyomotoride7781]

Thanks for making this video!! I'm on the market looking for a fj09 ..

[@soulshinobi]

Great informative video, I just bought a high mileage XSR900 that needs a lot of little things

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I've read on fj-09.org of several clutch cable failures. I lubed mine a few times already and not had any problems, but I think it's worth the $21.54 to just change it, since a failure far from home would be a disaster. Pretty dumb of Yamaha to design a kink in the cable housing like that.

[@PawelB]

You're lucky you made it that far, mine nearly snapped and had to be changed under warranty at a lousy 3500 miles!!! Great video though!

[@warrenseiboth3466]

mine is gone after 9000klms

[@wuxianku]

over 77000 mile on the bike . how is the engine running . still great condition

[@TwoWheelObsession]

Good catch!

[@sciencebiker9519]

Thanks!

[@SuperGankBros]

Wish I came across this earlier. I swapped to clubman bars on my FZ09 and as a result I have to use the FJ 09 clutch cable for the extra length. Mine snapped on me in traffic yesterday with only 5k miles on the cable.

[@sciencebiker9519]

SuperGankBros Sorry to hear. Hope you managed to get home safely.

[@FleevinHoovin]

Had to change mine at 6000km! Snapped right where the hard angle is on the clutch holder. The new design is much nicer. Can't believe how bad the old one was!

[@joseescobar9505]

My 2016 XSR 900 uses the same crappy cable. It snapped on me yesterday at only 5000 km! Yamaha has taken the 2016 reference off the market but refuses to accept any responsibility. They've made me pay 39,50€ for the new (2018) cable. Unacceptable...

[@arthercasillas2755]

What is the part number?

[@wowaddict112233]

where did you buy the new cable?

[@chiquitodaviii2913]

Cable just snapped on me LUCKILY around the corner of my house. 2014 Yamaha FZ09 9k miles!

[@AA-re7oc]

I have the same problem with the MT 09 on a 2019 at 7400km

[@SpeedResearchLabs]

Mine just broke smh. 13k miles

[@demetriospapavasiliou8167]

ya mine snapped at just under 15000km (9000 miles)... trash

[@WhoAteAllPies]

mine pops every 13k miles