The three-cylinder Yamaha MT-09 (like the 2022 model seen here) is now allowed in the horsepower-limited Canadian Sport Bike National Championship. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

It's no secret that India is one of the biggest motorcycle markets in the world. With more than 1.4 billion, yes, with a B, people in the country, it's easily one of the most densely populated countries in the world. As such, it's no surprise that motorcycles are a quick and easy way to get around.

Indeed, India's motorcycle market is a microcosm of models the rest of the world has never seen before. While the market is indeed home to some premium models available in the global market, a vast majority of motorcycles sold in India are smaller, with displacements typically smaller than 200cc. That being said, the premium segment is pretty much the same as the rest of the world. However, it's interesting that some of the most popular models in the global market aren't even sold in India – or at least not yet.

For example, the Yamaha MT-09, or previously the FZ-09 in the U.S. was never sold in India. Its smaller, albeit equally popular sibling, the MT-07 has also never been sold in the Indian market. This could soon be about to change, however, as the MT-09 was recently showcased to India's Yamaha dealers. According to multiple Indian motorcycling publications, it seems that the MT-09's launch in the Indian market is pretty much a certainty. It's expected to hit the roads by the second half of 2023.