All Tests – MT-09 Tracer Test: Yamaha traces to success! – The change is now !

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Test MT-09 Tracer: Yamaha traces to success !

All Tests - MT-09 Tracer Test: Yamaha traces to success! - The change is now !

In 1991, Yamaha set foot in the dish with TDM, a multi-genre and multitasking motorcycle. 23 years later, the MT-09 Tracer reinterprets this popular recipe by adding two irresistible ingredients: a 3-legged and tasty equipment. Test.

The change is now !

After a few kilometers in the wet, the relevance of the ergonomics of the MT-09 Tracer hits the mark: it borrows its secure elevated position from the trail genre, while its general compactness and its set back footrests give it the dynamism of a roadster-GT. Either more or less the same mixture of genres released before her by the !

But if the venerable TDM was an excellent motorcycle because it was incredibly versatile, it lacked character and a particular physique, at the origin of its reputation "utility-flawless-but-tasteless". Forget all that with the one that succeeds it 23 years later: even calmer compared to the MT-09, the mechanics of the Tracer retain a sacred temperament !

Extremely flexible, the 3-legged has an incredible trunk at all revs, a characteristic which allows it for example able to negotiate a pin uphill in third at 20 km / h at 1500 rpm without a hiccup. An operating smoothness barely disturbed by a few crackling felt in the boots past 5000 rpm.

Very energetic, the "CP3" pulls hard regardless of the gear engaged, thus avoiding having to downshift to overtake or negotiate a curve. A doubly valuable asset insofar as the selection remains – as on the MT-09 – rather rough, especially cold.

The acceleration is constant and very vigorous up to 6,000 rpm, from which the thrust increases significantly up to the 11,500 rpm of the breaker. Due to the smoothing operated by Yamaha on the power distribution, acceleration is less explosive than on the MT-09, brutal limit in the turns. A logical choice, in line with the more road-going ambitions of the Tracer.

The low hum generated by the airbox when accelerating is also muted compared to the roadster, which also helps to make the revs less spectacular..

However, even civilized, the "CP3" is far from causing melancholy on the Tracer: whatever the speed, its revivals are enough to mess up a bald man and the wide handlebars pull hard on the arms when wringing the ride. -by-wire! Unfortunately, despite the changes made to the injection, it can still be improved on the gas stream where slight jolts are still noticeable

The phenomenon, markedly improved compared to the first generation MT-09, is especially noticeable with the "A" injection mapping, with which the power flows instantly. The "Standard" mode reports more progressiveness on the go-around, while the "B" mode offers the finest management, in line with driving in duo and / or in difficult grip conditions..

Better equipped and more dynamic TDM

Regularly used during the first part of our test on slippery roads, the ABS and the traction control proved to be finely calibrated and responsive. And between the 87.5 Nm of torque balanced without downtime at the rear wheel and the powerful and biting braking summoned at the slightest pressure on the right lever, this is no small feat. !

Not to mention the passable grip of the original Dunlop D222, which takes a long time to heat up and is stingy when it comes to feedback, including in the dry. The MT-09 Tracer deserved better in terms of tires, in order to take full advantage of its impressive dynamic potential….

Fearsome agile, the Tracer has retained much of the dynamism of the standard MT-09, despite weighing nearly 20 kg more. Healthy, it dives in a curve without resisting or amplifying the order given and remains riveted on its trajectory. When a bump invites itself full angle or during a change of angle, it does not manifest that directional liveliness sometimes exacerbated felt on the MT-09.

There are several reasons for this stability, which is greater than that of the roadster: thanks to the semi-fairing, there is first of all more weight on the front. Handling loses – a little – what the driver gains – a lot – in confidence. The upper protection is also one of the positive impacts associated with this transplant, since the bubble in the high position preserves half of the helmet of a 1.75 m pilot and his shoulders despite its hardly promising narrowness when stationary..

On the other hand, Yamaha has strengthened the suspensions of the Tracer, giving it a relevant balance because it is more efficient in terms of absorption of mass transfers. Also helped by the "smooth" distribution of power, the rear shock no longer has the tendency to sag under full load encountered on the MT-09.

Same thing at the front, where the fork’s plunge is better controlled at the start of the race during strong braking, for the benefit of precision. Rigorous damping but without excessive firmness, effective on bumpy and not overtaken in the winding: it is simply flawless, even during bloody arches thanks to convincing ground clearance and traction !

Verdict: sacred relief in CT !

Clearly, Yamaha has given itself the means to cast a wide net with the Tracer, a motorcycle to be considered as a real novelty and not an accessorized version like the previous ones and the .

Looked, well finished and endowed with a standard endowment of rare richness, the Tracer drives home the point thanks to the qualities drawn from its sharing of platform with the MT-09. Its behavior – more dynamic and therefore less "padded" than on the CT – is of the first order, while its 3-legged offers torque and vigor in all circumstances..

It is therefore a real success, hardly marred by a go-around certainly better than before but still perfectible and a sliding mechanism of 30 mm of the screen laborious to handle. Reassembling the windshield first requires unlocking two screws and then pulling firmly on the screen: in other words, it is impractical while driving.

But at 9,999 euros, only 1,500 euros more than the MT-09 ABS despite the additional equipment, MNC’s little finger suggests that his many future buyers will easily forgive him, allowing Yamaha Mortor France to reach his !

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