Yamaha Tracer 700 GT motorcycle test

Menus

• Joys of possibilities
• Twin-cylinder in-line, 689 cm3, 74.8 hp, 68 Nm, 200 kg all full, available in A2, 8,999 euros.
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• In the city
• Departmental
• Highway
• Part-cycle
• Braking
• Comfort
• Consumption
• Video test of the Tracer 700 GT
• Conclusion

Joys of possibilities

Twin-cylinder in-line, 689 cm3, 74.8 hp, 68 Nm, 200 kg all full, available in A2, 8,999 euros.

The Yamaha Tracer 700 Gt! Here is a motorbike that promises a blissful everyday life and happy holidays. The twin of the sparkling MT-07 in a "trailing" road version equipped with suitcases, a high bubble and a comfort saddle, it looks like the squaring of the circle.

Available in a 35 kW version for A2 license holders

Among the competitors of the Tracer 700 GT, we find the Suzuki DL 650, the Kawasaki Versys 650 or the Honda CB 500 X and NC 750 X (available only version A2, like the Tracer). All can of course be equipped with the same accessories as the Yamaha GT, but the price suffers (all the accessories are worth around 900 euros taken separately, while the Tracer GT is sold 600 euros more than the standard version, i.e. 8,999 euros). And little advantage to the Tracer 700, its engine, which we know is tasty and its playful part-cycle. However, if the enthusiast biker has a crush on hairy roadsters, such as Ducati Monster 1200 or KTM 1290 Super Duke, the reason (also called wallet) often directs him to other more small roadsters. , of the MT-07 or Kawa Z 650 type. So why not go as far as a semi-streamlined version, where the duo is better experienced, or even a version with suitcases and a high screen? Bah for the look…. The Tracer GT is more “old bike” than the MT-07. When you’re young, you’re ready to suffer so as not to appear out of date. So he / they do not make you dream of the photos of instagramers who have gone to the other side of the world or even if the image would not pay more, on the handlebars of small simple trails ?

Yamaha Tracer 700 GT Special Series

Discovery

The Tracer largely takes the essential elements of the MT-07, including the frame. Only the column angle varies slightly, open 0.3 ° more than on the roadster. The aluminum swingarm, on the other hand, is unique to the Tracer and lengthens its wheelbase to 1450 mm, against 1400 mm for the MT. This is both a guarantee of stability and a necessity since the rear loop of the tracer has been designed to support more weight (more regular passenger and luggage).

Double optics and high screen

Its saddle height of 835 mm makes it suitable for all sizes, my meter sixty-six managing to reach the ground on tiptoes. As for the weight (196 kg for the Tracer 700 to which we add the suitcases, or about 4 kg, for a total therefore, you guessed it … of 200 kg), we can estimate it high if we compare it to the best sports 1000 on the market, but their price is more than double that of the Yamaha. Low weight costs at least as much to aim for as high horsepower. If, on the other hand, we reduce this weight to that of a few competitors, the 200 kg all full made of the Tracer GT do well against the 201 kg dry of a Triumph Tiger 800 XRx (3,100 euros more expensive), at 217 kg all full made of a Kawasaki Versys 650 (without suitcases) or the 213 kg of a Suzuki DL 650 (also without suitcases). Beyond the gross weight announced by Yamaha, the balance of the bike determines how heavy (or not) it feels. But when we tried the Tracer 700, we already know that the GT succeeded on this point.

74.8 hp (55 kW) at 9,000 rpm, 68 N.m (6.9 kgm) 6,500 rpm

On the equipment side, it’s a bit light. No traction control, no engine modes, but we still do without…. We can especially regret the lack of a central stand and socket to charge a GPS or other modern accessory. No possibility either to scroll the information on the dashboard from the control unit. And of course no heated grips as standard…. The finish is quite basic, with a lot of plastic covers placed there without too much concern for aesthetic consistency. Overall, the Tracer GT is still a cute motorcycle, if you don’t care about the details. Despite everything, it has a "plastic toy" side. The suitcases fit well. Unfortunately, they are too narrow to accommodate a helmet, even a jet.

LED rear light

It will then be necessary to choose a top case sold among Yamaha accessories at 166 euros (39 liters), but which then asks to remove the suitcases! And yes, on the 700 GT, it is officially according to Yamaha either the suitcases or the top case, but not both at the same time. This does not prevent us from seeing an equipment at Shad with suitcase and top-case as well as at Kappa and a possible adaptation also at Yamaha (even if this is not recommended at Yamaha).

Shad suitcases and top case on Yamaha Tracer 700
Suitcases and top-case kit at Kappa

In the saddle

Promise kept, the saddle height is not excessive. The finesse in the crotch makes it possible to catch up with a delicate situation and quite simply to live comfortably. The driving position seems at first glance comfortable, natural, the back straight, the legs little bent. The small dashboard is easy to read, the fuel gauge is displayed clearly, the rest of the information remaining sketchy (two trips, the gear engaged and of course the counters and tachometers). We are quickly home.

LED dashboard

The engine’s understated sound matches the Tracer’s bonhomme line. It is different as soon as I confidently attack the engine in first gear. The 700 gets up easy, playful, unexpected on this terrain. The genes of MT-07 are alive and well! I know, I know, the Tracer GT isn’t made for that. This is why I appreciate his ardor, out of a spirit of contradiction. The “comfort” gel saddle does not really pamper my delicate buttocks but promises constant firmness: saddles that are too soft always end up becoming uncomfortable..

The feeling of lightness is real, the masses have been judiciously distributed, the small height of the motorcycle favors its sway to the right or to the left, despite the 180 wide rear tire, useless for a 75 hp motorcycle..

Available in black, blue, gray

In the city

Upright position, height of view, maneuverability, what more could you ask for in town? Certainly nothing. The contained width of the suitcases does not deprive me of the happiness of squeezing between the lines of cars, the mirrors pass above those of the said cars, the handlebars are not very wide…. Kind of ideal motorcycle to escape the urban constraints. Fuel consumption is a maximum of 6.2 liters per 100 km (well, my maximum), which augurs well for a range of over 250 km if I spent my life in the city. The only downside is the lug of the side stand that is misplaced when you are short on legs, it goes behind the footrest. Not very terrible but painful in everyday life, especially when stopping on a slope on the right side. Ok, ok i’m focusing on the motorcycle part.

Hard side cases with a capacity of 20 liters each

Departmental

Sun at its highest, wheat at its lowest (even ratibois since harvested), deserted asphalt coils, small valleys, this is an ideal field of action for the Tracer GT. I peaceful country (doesn’t that verb exist?), Gently led by the courageous couple of this little road "trail". I deliberately put "trail" in quotes, because it only has the riding position. Its roadster rims, its suspensions with travel very close to those of the MT-07 (only 12 mm more on the rear suspension for the Tracer), its wide-size road tires, it is not more capable of everything- terrain than any roadster. So the Tracer is not a trail in the true sense of the word, with narrow tires, long travel etc. It belongs to the hybrid genre into which we classify the Ducati Multistrada, the old Yamaha TDM, the Kawasaki Versys and many others. But to tie the comfortable riding position of the trail to the driving skills of a roadster by adding a few protective elements is no less a great idea. We just haven’t found the right name to name these bikes. If some feel inspired ….

Small prodigious engine

In short, I frolic while conversing like this, proof that the Tracer is being forgotten. Which could be a weakness, a sign of a lack of character. This is not the case. She adapts and knows how to be discreet. When called upon in the hope of a little life, she awakens. This little engine is stupendous. It barely cubs 700 cm3 and yet manages to show an immense speed range, from 2,000 rpm to 9,000 rpm, without any drop in intensity. On the contrary, at around 5,500 rpm, his lungs swell and the liveliness of his revs is impressive. The health of the twin is absolutely brilliant, smoother than on the Kawasaki Versys but also, paradoxically, more lively, because it is sparkling and vigorous. The 270 ° engine timing, introduced on the Yamaha TDM and TRX twenty years ago, is not for nothing. More than the so-called Crossplane (CP2) rigging, mostly operating on multicylinders beyond the bi.

Trail riding position

So I decide to pick up the pace. The suspensions, rather comfortable in cushy mode, remain effective up to a certain limit. The fork sometimes complains of trapping braking and would like to have its settings tightened up, but Yamaha did not provide this option. The shock absorber does its job seriously, never "pumping". Overall, the quality of the suspensions, which is the right compromise between comfort and efficiency in fast driving, is not to be questioned. The natural balance of the Tracer saves them from too severe constraints, like those experienced by the old MT-09, which was poorly provided at this level. The braking lacked a little power at the end of the race, but we must remember the road vocation of the Tracer. All that to say that attacking with this bike is nothing impossible, quite the contrary and I would not be reluctant to enter a rally with an original Tracer, without racing suitcases.

Natural balance

Highway

Back to more serious considerations. The dreary environment of the freeway leaves no gaps for the roadways, because you focus on them since there is nothing else to do (unless you are thinking about redoing your bathroom). The moderately high bubble causes some turbulence at 140 km / h meter, I have a thought for the tall ones (say over six feet tall), who would suffer more than me. The saddle remains comfortable, well designed. A few things in the suitcases, waterproof (I suffered a nice downpour), the twin stalled at just over 6,000 rpm in sixth gear (140 km / h, therefore), I don’t tire. Only the screen deserves to be both wider and a little higher, aesthetic considerations have probably guided Yamaha in this choice. Going to the pump, this time I consumed 4.7 l per 100 km.

Long-distance trail, protection with the medium-high bubble

Part-cycle

I’ve spoken quite a bit about it already, the balance of the Tracer attracts no criticism. Judicious wheelbase, correct suspensions, efficient Michelin Pilot Road 4 tires, intelligent weight distribution, there is nothing wrong with the Yamaha on this point, unless you are in bad faith or like very specific geometries. The Tracer combines stability and maneuverability brilliantly, in perfect harmony with its playful and pleasant engine. Which makes it a very homogeneous motorcycle. We can blame him for a slightly flexible suspension on the attack.

Diamond frame, 2.138 mm long and 806 mm wide

Braking

The front brake is progressive and dosed very well, it just lacks a bit of power at the end of the attack. That’s really to say something because this good level of braking was never designed for said attack. I do, however, know the picky contemporary biker. The rear brake shows less progressiveness. A little quick and intense pressure on the pedal quickly causes ABS. It is still very useful for slowing down, especially when entering a slightly optimistic turn..

Dual 282mm disc and ABS

Comfort

The gel saddle offers a good base, its design does not affect the thighs or the buttocks, the lower back does not suffer, despite the riding position which rests for the most part on this lower part. The suspensions contribute to the general comfort of the Tracer. Only the screen, manually adjustable by two knobs, a little higher than on the Tracer, fishing a little by its lack of protection at high speed (we will say beyond 110 km / h….). The duo consider themselves otherwise very seriously on the GT, thanks to the passenger position. Finally, the small riders will feel better there than the bigger ones, because it remains a "small" motorcycle..

Comfort seat compared to the Tracer 700

Consumption

The overall test average showed a reasonable consumption of 5.3 liters per 100 km. I have to admit that I have a lot of times to wring the right grip, carried away by the fiery character of the engine. We must be able to go under 5 l per 100 km, but each his style…. The 17-liter tank therefore allows a range of around 300 km, easy.

17 liter tank
The Tracer 700 GT is one of the best motorcycles on the market

Video test of the Tracer 700 GT

Conclusion

In my opinion, the Tracer 700 GT is one of the best motorcycles on the market. Given its price, 9,000 euros, it deserves a better finish and a little richer equipment. Otherwise, dynamically, we can not blame it. She has fun on the small roads, she laughs at the cities, she delights in the expeditions, always with the mischievous smile of her petulant engine. His overall balance, his homogeneity and his joie de vivre count more, in my eyes, than the few criticisms leveled at him regarding his standing. The benefits of suitcases and the comfort saddle are real, even if it sounds "cushy", it remains to add a bubble a little more protective and nothing will stop you. !

Strong points

• engine health
• part-cycle balance
• comfort
• maneuverability
• versatility

Weak points

• finishing details
• bubble protection on motorway
• limited capacity of suitcases (a jet helmet does not fit)
• suitcase or top-case but not both at the same time

The technical sheet of the Yamaha Tracer GT

Test conditions

• Itinerary: 700 km in daily use and Norman walk
• Motorcycle mileage: 1700 km on the odometer

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