All Tests – MT-09 Tracer Test: Yamaha traces to success! – On the road to success

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Test MT-09 Tracer: Yamaha traces to success !

All Tests - MT-09 Tracer Test: Yamaha traces to success! - On the road to success

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.

On the road to success

Only 7 ° C in the air according to the on-board computer, wet and greasy roads under the 17-inch wheels and a hazy sky above the helmet: Yamaha hoped for much better conditions by choosing the south of the ‘Spain to organize the press launch of its new …

Test of the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer in video
In addition to this first full test of the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer, also discover our !

Despite this far from ideal environment for discovering a new motorcycle, the morale of the troops is high. Because even under a "leaden" sky, the landscapes are absolutely magnificent, as are the roads winding the hillsides between Marbella and Antequera..

It changes the grayish scenery of the Paris region and the lifts in "survival" mode on the outskirts, bones frozen by the cold and eyes irritated by pollution !

And if MNC is able to fully appreciate the diversity of the scenery and the route, it is also thanks to the MT-09 Tracer, a "trail-roadster-sport-GT" "70% identical"to the MT-09, particularly in terms of mechanics, chassis and running gear (read our Technical point on page 3).

First of all because the "Tracer" immediately puts you at ease thanks to its handlebars raised and widened by 45 mm (read our). High and wide like that of a trail, this adjustable handlebar over 10 mm long (with Allen key) is well designed and comes standard with hand guards.

And when the mercury plays the timid like today, these equipments make appreciate their effective "windproof" function! On the other hand, the width at the ends is quite substantial (950 mm), a penalizing aspect when space is limited as often in town. Be careful not to "hang up" a pedestrian on pain of spitting, as these hand guards are angular !

This "manga" style design goes perfectly with the fork crown, whose profile evokes the old Fazers. Seen from the front, the Tracer however has its own identity thanks to the stretched shapes of its double optic, the beam of which is adjustable in height via knobs in the cockpit..

Not to spoil anything, the whole gives off a feeling of modernity due to the entirely LED lighting, technology also chosen for the minimalist rear light. This first positive approach is reinforced by a neat finish, highlighted by beautiful parts such as the curved swingarm or the upper triple tree with a robust and qualitative appearance..

The attention to certain details is remarkable, like this profiled cover covering the ABS sensor located on the front right caliper, of the 4-piston type with radial mounting like its left counterpart. The only aspect that could be improved: the passage a bit "mess" of cables and electrical ducts in the cockpit. But this is really for quibbling !

A real new motorcycle

Controlled from the handlebars, the instrumentation composed of a very large digital keypad identical to that of the Super Tenere is provided and readable. This real on-board computer provides information in particular on the gear engaged, the level and fuel consumption, as well as the time and temperature of the air and the engine (complete list in our Technical sheet on the last page).

And, as the ad for a telephone company says: "It’s not over"! To our greatest pleasure, a 12 V socket is in fact installed as standard on the left edge of the cockpit, while a central stand and an adjustable windshield are also part of the original equipment! for a motorcycle less than 10,000 euros (9999 €), no ?

And that’s not all: the Tracer also benefits from three specific driving modes, from a reparameterization of the injection modeled on that provided to the 2015 MT-09 in order to improve their improvement in gas management (see our Point technical), ABS and even a disconnectable anti-skid! Many "premium" oriented motorcycles – therefore more expensive – do not offer as many, including at Yamaha…

The rear aluminum buckle is also lengthened and reinforced in order to increase the space on board but also to accommodate optional saddlebags and top case. This transformation allows the installation of accessible grab handles and saddles much more spacious than on the MT-09.

Longer by 19.4 mm, the rider saddle is less dug on its sides and its height can vary – without tools – from 845 to 860 mm. Better padded, it offers a softness and a much better support than those of the MT-09, whose hard and narrow saddle on the front quickly forces to move back to improve its lot..

Despite the progress made, the seat of the Tracer does not, however, compete with the "sofa" reception of a Super Tenere over long distances. Logical, given the difference in philosophy and … size: 55 kg separate the svelte "Tracer" (210 kg all full) from its heavy cousin !

The higher saddle of 30 mm (815 mm on the MT-09), as well as the enlargement of the tank (from 14 liters to 18 on the Tracer), somewhat penalize accessibility. Fortunately, the compactness of the 847 cc 3-cylinder makes it possible to keep the dimensions contained, in particular the distance between the thighs: a 1.75 m pilot puts his feet perfectly flat on each side..

The others will have to go through the low saddle option at 815 mm, with the key to shortening the shock absorber stroke synonymous with loss of comfort. The position of the footrests has not changed and therefore remains located at the rear, as on the sporty roadster from which they come. However, the legs are less bent thanks to the increased saddle height.

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