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Driving report Yamaha Tracer 900 GT (2018)

More suitable touring tracers

In order to improve the touring qualities of the Tracer 900, Yamaha is now adding the Tracer 900 in the GT version – it can do sport and touring, emotions and utility are included as standard. Test editor Thomas Schmieder drove it.

Tea Yamaha Tracer 900 has optimized its touring qualities, now promises, for example, a larger, manually adjustable windshield as well as more comfortably positioned notches and handles for the passenger, significantly improved touring suitability.

Driving impressions

The three-cylinder of the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT is wide awake and very elastic even in the lowest rev range, strong in the middle and with turbine-like revving. Turning out up to a full 10,000 turns? Never has to be with so much midrange power. The first few meters on this long-legged tourer with 17-inch wheels (crossover bike means something in New German) make it clear what a fantastic drive this is!

Nevertheless, the new Yamaha Tracer 900 GT should not be reduced to its famous drive, powerful sound and emotional. Because it is also available in the naked, even more fiery, lighter Yamaha MT-09. No, the combination of sport and touring in the best sense, the overall package makes the fascination here.

The driver’s seat is height adjustable and has a new contour as well as the interior. Elevated results in a more active sitting position, more front-wheel oriented. Despite a clearance of at least 850 millimeters (factory specification), you can get both soles of your feet safely on the ground at just 1.71 meters. Conversely, even tall guys sit extremely relaxed.

The new Yamaha Tracer 900 GT is equipped with cases, cruise control and heated grips. A two-stage traction control that can be switched off is also on board. She straddled in between at the first roundabout (!). Hm, is that due to the high torque or the somewhat woody rolling Dunlop D 222 with special code F? You can hardly qualify as the grip world champion. The swingarm, which is six centimeters longer, should guarantee plenty of mechanical traction and stability. It is made of aluminum and is banana-shaped.

In fact, the straight-line stability is beyond any doubt: With the speedometer reading 222 and with empty cases, the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT runs straight ahead like an arrow. In urban traffic, on the other hand, the cable coupling made a positive impression. It runs smoothly – and can be finely dosed. The only point of criticism: the lever is not adjustable.

In return, the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT comes with a perfectly functioning shift assistant and a servo-assisted anti-hopping clutch ("Assist Slip Clutch"), the gearbox acts inconspicuously in the best sense of the word. The electronically controlled throttle valves (ride-by-wire) are familiar with three mappings. A, Standard and B. In A, the throttle response is most jagged. However, the load change reactions are then also greatest. B works softer in every respect, standard usually fits quite well. You can tell the modifications: The Yamaha Tracer 900 GT drives agile, but never nervous. Handy, yet serious and at the same time very reliable. A light motorcycle, but not a lightweight brother. In a good sense, the Tracer GT is not a “heavy motorcycle”. She should weigh 215 kilograms with a full tank, 227 kilograms including suitcases and all the trimmings. Not much for an agile tourer of the first order. The shock absorber keeps contact with the road surface surprisingly tight. The rear offers ample reserves not only in view of the lush 142 millimeters of suspension travel.

Braking with the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT

The front dips a long way when you grip the snappy, but never nasty brake. The upside-down fork on the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT is fully adjustable. The front section does not remain completely neutral when you enter the curve on the brakes and then let go; conversely, there is also a slight tendency to pitch up when braking in an inclined position. Okay, the crisp brakes, radial four-piston stoppers with different sized brake pistons, were once super sports goods. But to be honest, the tire is more of a suspect here.

Few points of criticism

Real criticisms are practically in short supply. The permissible total weight should be greater. Yamaha promises a payload of 179 kilograms for both versions – Tracer 900 and Tracer 900 GT. Very little for a full-fledged tourer in two-person operation – the suitcases alone weigh 12 kilos. Anyone looking for a motorcycle for everything for a good 12,000 euros should buy it now.

What’s new?

Plot 900:

  • Front fairing with revised design, new color combinations
  • Fairing screen new, with one-hand height adjustment mechanism (by 50 mm)
  • Handlebars 16.5 millimeters narrower, including modified hand protectors 100 mm narrower
  • Swing arm 60 millimeters longer (592 instead of the previous 532 mm)
  • The wheelbase is therefore 1500 instead of the previous 1440 mm
  • Modified strut; Suspension travel now 142 instead of 130 mm
  • Rear frame (steel) new, with integrated attachment points for cases
  • Bench (two-part) with a new shape and multi-zone foam inside
  • Ergonomically improved pillion passenger grab rails, longer footrest arm
  • Throttle body modified
  • Extended mirror boom
  • License plate carrier changed

Tracer 900 GT additionally:

  • Cruise control and heated grips as standard
  • Case with 22 liters each and lacquered lids included
  • Fully adjustable fork
  • Suspension strut with hydraulic remote adjustment of the suspension base without tools
  • Shift assistant as standard
  • TFT color cockpit with day / night display
  • Weight 215 instead of 214 kilograms with a full tank (plus 12 kg suitcase)

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