yamaha tracer 900 gt tft display quotation

2023-01-03 12:32:11

Now in its third generation, Yamaha’s middleweight sport-tourer — now called the Tracer 9 GT — is new from the ground up. It has a larger, more powerful engine, a new frame, and a state-of-the-art electronics package that includes semi-active suspension. With these updates comes a higher price, and MSRP is now $14,899.

As the platform has evolved so has its name, starting with the original FJ-09 in 2015 and continuing with the Tracer 900 GT in 2019. For the latest update, the Tracer 9 GT gets a lightweight aluminum frame made using the latest casting technology to strategically reduce bulk. Like its predecessors, the new Tracer uses the inline triple from the MT-09, which is lighter, more fuel-efficient, and complies with Euro 5 emissions standards. An increase in displacement (890cc, up from 847cc) should yield more power and torque, though Yamaha does not quote figures. D-Mode now offers four presets for varying throttle response and power. The 6-speed transmission has an assist-and-slipper clutch and a new quickshifter.

The use of new technology wasn’t limited to design and development. The new Tracer 9 GT is fitted with an integrated electronic control package, enabling Yamaha to incorporate a number of new features. This includes a 6-axis IMU that continually feeds data to the new KYB semi-active suspension, which electronically adjusts rebound and compression damping in the fork and rebound in the rear shock in real-time to suit the terrain and conditions. It also stabilizes the chassis under braking and acceleration and offers two modes (Sport and Comfort).

The IMU also feeds data to the new rider aids which can be adjusted to preference or completely turned off, these include lean angle-sensitive traction control, slide control, wheelie control, and cornering lights. The ABS is newly equipped with a brake control system, and riders can choose between two levels of intervention. Yamaha’s YCC-T throttle-by-wire system now includes Accelerator Position Sensor Grip (ASPG), which uses a sensor and a magnet to detect throttle opening and send corresponding signals to the throttle valves. ASPG uses a spring, slider, and gear to produce variable resistance to the grip creating a natural throttle feel. An additional D-Mode has been added providing four preset running modes that adjust throttle response and power. Cruise control and heated grips are standard.

Riders of various sizes will appreciate the Tracer 9 GT’s new adjustable footpegs, which along with the dual-height seat and adjustable handlebar on the previous model allow ergonomics to be customized.

With cruise control, a large windscreen, and standard hard saddlebags, the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is ready to hit the road. It’s available in Liquid Metal or Redline for $14,899, and it’s in dealerships now.

yamaha tracer 900 gt tft display quotation

SIX-AXIS IMU: The Tracer 9 GT features a developed six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that retains the base performance of proven IMU in the YZF-R1 but is 50% smaller and 40% lighter due to a thorough review of the sensor layout. The engine control unit (ECU) that receives and reflects the data from the IMU is equipped with three rider aids: a Traction Control System (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS) and the front-wheel LIFt control system (LIF). The Brake Control System is controlled by the Hydraulic Control Unit (separate unit from ECU) which modulates front and rear brake pressure based on data from the IMU as well as the front and rear wheel speed sensors. All three systems work together to help the rider concentrate on better extracting the machine’s potential. Each of the systems can also be turned on or off and have their levels of intervention adjusted to preference.

LEAN ANGLE-SENSITIVE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM: The Traction Control System (TCS) detects the difference in speed between the front and rear wheels and helps to efficiently extract drive force from the rear tire during acceleration. The TCS on the Tracer 9 GT uses this data for the lean angle, estimated by the IMU to adjust the degree of intervention by the TCS. As the lean angle increases, so does the amount of TCS intervention (1 = little intervention; 2 = moderate intervention; 3 = strong intervention).

LIFT CONTROL SYSTEM (LIF): The LIFt Control System (LIF) intervenes when the IMU predicts front-wheel lift to adjust the engine"s output to compensate and assist the rider. On the Tracer 9 GT, the system settings are focused on providing smooth behavior once the intervention ceases. The LIFt system’s intervention is set up to work together with the other rider aids, and with Mode M, the level of intervention can be chosen manually by the rider.

MOTOGP®-DEVELOPED SLIDE CONTROL SYSTEM (SCS): The Tracer 9 GT features the Slide Control System (SCS), just like the one on the acclaimed YZF-R1. When the IMU predicts that a sideward slide is occurring at the rear tire, the SCS responds by adjusting the power output to help the rider focus on riding. The degree of intervention is pre-set for the TCS with Mode 1 and Mode 2, but Mode M allows for the level of intervention to be selected or for the system to be turned off.

QUICK SHIFT SYSTEM FOR CLUTCHLESS UPSHIFTS & DOWNSHIFTS: The QSS on the Tracer 9 GT provides both clutchless upshifts and downshifts. When the sensor on the shift rod detects movement in the gearshift pedal, adjustments are made in the engine output according to ECU calculations to instantly cancel out the drive torque of the engaged gear to promote swifter shifting of gears.

RIDE-BY-WIRE YCC-T THROTTLE SYSTEM WITH APSG: The Tracer 9 GT"s Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) electronically governs the throttle valves, but unlike the system on former models that use a cable to relay throttle inputs via a pulley, the Tracer 9 GT features the Accelerator Position Sensor Grip (ASPG) ride-by-wire unit that provides excellent throttle feel. With the APSG, the degree of throttle opening is detected by a sensor and magnet and reflected with signals to the throttle valve motor. For good operational feel, the APSG is comprised of a spring, slider and gear and produces varying degrees of friction (resistance) to recreate a natural throttle feel during use. The construction of the APSG for the Tracer 9 GT is the same as the one on the 2020 YZF-R1/R1M but has model-specific settings for the degree of friction and throttle opening.

TWIN 3.5-INCH FULL-COLOR TFT INSTRUMENT DISPLAYS: The Tracer 9 GT features twin 3.5-inch full-color TFT displays. The left-hand display includes a bar-type tachometer that changes colors as rpm rises or falls, the fuel gauge, average mileage indicator, water temperature, air temperature and a gearshift indicator while the right-hand screen enables the selection of four different types of information or indicators to allow more information to be displayed at once. Switching between displays and information can be performed with the handlebar switches.

YAMAHA D-MODE: The running modes available on the D-Mode system have been increased from the three on the current model to four. Riders can select between Mode 1 for enjoying direct, sharper response, Mode 2 to accommodate a variety of conditions, Mode 3 for a gentler character and Mode 4 that moderates maximum power for a milder riding experience.

CRUISE CONTROL: The Tracer 9 GT features a cruise control system for easy riding. Cruise control can be set when going at least 31 mph (or 50 kph) and in 4th gear or higher. After the cruise speed is set, the speed can be increased or decreased in increments of 1 mph (or 2 kph) with single pushes of the switch or by continuously holding down the switch. Cancel the cruise control by braking or by using the clutch or the throttle. The “Resume” function reengages the system and returns the bike to its previous set speed.

yamaha tracer 900 gt tft display quotation

Do expectations always deliver? And just what is the true potential of the new Yamaha Tracer 900GT? Keith Yallop reports on his bike purchase of May 2018. After over 9,000 miles he asks, “Is this the ultimate jack-of-all-trades?”

So what fitted these requirements? I started to look at a range of bikes all in the upright adventure touring position. During December 2017/January 2018 I visited BMW, Triumph, Honda, Ducati, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha. All the dealers offered great sports tourers, all with good points and some not so good. However at The Motorbike Shop in Farnborough I was invited to take out a Yamaha MT-09 Tracer. This bike was not on my list but I thought why not give it a try? After an extended 50 mile ride I felt that this machine and I could have a long and happy relationship. It all seemed to gel for me, this was probably helped by the fact that I have owned a number of Yamahas.

The throttle response was very lively, especially when in sports (A) mode, where with its short wheelbase it would easily lift its front wheel if you left traffic lights too energetically. On my return to the shop I was informed that a brand new model called the Tracer 900GT would be launched in early summer 2018. It would have an extended swing arm to reduce front wheel lift and make the bike more stable with panniers fitted. It would have a host of extras as standard, including panniers, touring screen, narrower bars, better seat, quick-shifter, updated suspension, cruise control and the list went on. It would be sub £11k. They offered me an excellent part-exchange price for my Z1000SX so I made an instant decision to place an order, one I hoped I would not regret.

I spent a nervous 5 months wondering if I had made the right decision and found myself asking if it was going to be anywhere near as much fun as the demo MT-09 on which I had ridden. Or had the practical additions to the GT changed this new model for the worse?

On the 21st of May I was the first rider in the UK to take delivery of the Tracer 900GT, or so I was told. The first thing that struck me was just how impressive the bike feels. It has the same grand presence as an adventure bike, but obviously with the road-focused bias. Sitting on the machine allows for a good view over the traffic ahead and the large screen appears to provide good protection (more on that later).

It’s all well and good babbling on about the GT’s finer details but unless it rides well on the roads and operates well in real situations then it doesn’t mean diddly squat. So how does it ride?

Well the suspension was not one of the best points of the MT-09 based models of old. I was therefore pleased to discover that the revised suspension immediately puts to rest any previous questions over the earlier model. The suspension has been uprated using Kayaba units featuring dual springs and adjustability of both high and low speed compression damping, as well as preload and rebound damping. The rear shock preload is easily changed thanks to a side-mounted adjuster, perfect for those who are looking to travel with a pillion and/or lots of luggage. Yamaha have obviously been listening carefully to their customers, which is certainly refreshing in the motorcycle industry. Through corners it is probably one of the most ‘flickable’ bikes I have had the pleasure to ride.

Yamaha have also gone to town on reprogramming the MT-09 ECU mapping. Renowned for being a little snatchy on the power, the old map has been updated to give a much smoother delivery and also make the bike much more manageable when sat at a higher revs.

It would be pretty easy to think of these rather significant updates being the end of the story, but it is in fact just the beginning. Yamaha have seemingly thrown most of their accessories catalogue at the GT to make it into a machine that you could pick up tomorrow and set straight off on a European tour.

Alongside the panniers the GT also comes with a centre stand, hand guards and heated grips where all 3 settings can be programmed individually to allow 10 different heat choices for each setting (30 in total), this makes winter riding a far less disconcerting prospect.

The rest of the electronics package is also very impressive with three selectable engine modes and traction control settings. There’s also cruise control, which definitely makes long range touring much more pleasurable. The coloured TFT instrument panel is from the R1 dash and although it is a bit on the small size it can be programmed with just about any information you would like the bike to give you, including gear indicator.

Impressively, the Tracer 900GT also comes with a slipper clutch down and quick-shifter up. The quick-shifter certainly makes for a smooth and simple affair when kicking up through the gearbox, it’s very easy to get used to clutchless upshifting. However I have to say that I still often prefer to use the old way and change gear with the clutch. But the choice is yours.

However it is not all honey and roses – I do have a few gripes. The first is with the original tyres. The Tracer 900GT came with Dunlop Sportsmax D222 as standard and I was not at all impressed with them. I think Yamaha must have got a bulk cheap deal from Dunlop! Driving hard out of bends the back end seemed to be a little skittish and lively which took me back to my old days of scrambling. It also seemed to grab at every crack or seam in the tarmac. Not quite what I wanted on my new touring bike. So at sub 2,000 miles I visited Mel and he advised fitting a pair of Bridgestone Battlax T31’s. The difference in handling was amazing, the skittish feel had gone and the line grabbing was vastly reduced. What a difference a good tyre can make!

Secondly, I don’t personally like the fuel gauge. It only starts reducing after you’ve dropped to lower than half of the tank’s 18 litre capacity, then it shoots down and hangs around for a long time at 1/8 of a tank. It’s not a big deal and to most of you it won’t make any big difference at all, it’s just what I prefer. So I have set the TFT screen to show how much fuel I am consuming. When it gets near 4 gallons (18 litres) I know I need to look for a petrol station pretty quickly. The fuel consumption indicator is showing 55mpg and on tours I have managed to push a full tank to over 200 miles, the warning light comes on at around 185 miles. That makes it one of the most economical bikes I have owned, other than a BSA Bantam and a Triumph Tiger Cub!

My other major gripe is the screen. I seem to be in good company with this moan as nearly all magazine and online testers say the same. At higher speeds the wind coming around the screen is noisy and seems to buffer me around, especially on motorways travelling behind vehicles. Before my tour to Europe I purchased an MRA touring screen with an aerofoil on top and that has made a lot of difference. The screen is manually pinch and adjust with one hand which was useful in Alps when we came out of a tunnel straight into a tremendous rainstorm. Yamaha do offer their own larger touring screen but it costs a lot more and I am not sure how good it is.

I have to be honest though, what I’m most impressed with is the price. While on paper the £10,649 price tag may seem like quite a lot, what you get for the money is nothing short of incredible value. I could not find another comparable motorcycle in this price bracket that even comes close to the specification of the GT as standard and it really makes this motorcycle very hard to fault.

So what extras have I deemed necessary apart from the MRA screen (£108)? Well I have fitted a radiator guard (£40) along with a front mudguard extender (£22). I have also fitted twin horns (£15), a Yamaha larger side-stand foot (£48), a pair of R&G bar ends (£23) and Givi engine crash bars (£126) – just in case I feel the need to gently lay the bike down.

So did the Tracer 900GT tick all my boxes from my Christmas 2017 ‘nice to have’ list? I think it has and probably more. I believe the hard fact about the Tracer 900GT is that you’ll grin like a Cheshire cat whenever you ride it, despite the weather, season or journey. Cold or hot, rain or shine, commuting or charging; the GT will be everything you could ever need and be lots of fun whilst doing it. It’s definitely a bike that has been designed to be a little easier to live with and, importantly, you don’t need to remortgage the house to buy it. The Tracer 900GT is definitely going to appeal to those who want just one bike that will comfortably do a bit of everything and do it well. And finally, to quote MCN, ‘a seriously good bike at a seriously great price’.

yamaha tracer 900 gt tft display quotation

“Adventure sport touring” motorcycles have taken the place of most of the “sport touring” class of the 1990s/2000s. There has been a recent resurgence, like with the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (and others), but bikes like the Yamaha Tracer 900 / GT and Yamaha Tracer 9 / GT are much more common, as are their competitors like the Triumph Tiger 900 range, BMW F 900 XR, and Ducati Multistrada 950 and V2.

I always liked the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT (in particular the GT). In fact, my only criticism of it was that it was a bit too easy to ride. I found it a bit unexciting, because it is so capable — there’s no difficulty in taking it to 100+ km/h on winding roads and riding non-stop between refills without ever getting tired.

So I’ve kept my eye on it. At some point I’ll get tired of trying to make the wrong bikes work and settle into an adventure sport tourer like the Tracer 900.

Now, from 2021, Tracer updated their line of CP3-driven motorcycles. The Yamaha Tracer 900 GT (along with the MT-09 and XSR900) was updated, and replaced by the Tracer 9. Suddenly the bike in its topmost spec is significantly more expensive.

There are very few manufacturers who use inline three-cylinder engines (triples) in motorcycles. The three main ones are: Triumph, MV Agusta, and more recently, Yamaha.

Finally, there’s Yamaha. Yamaha has done a wide range of motorcycle engines in the past. They’ve also done some things that few others have done at scale, like their “Crossplane” inline four in the Yamaha YZF-R1 (2009-onward), or muscle cruisers with V4 engines (the Yamaha V-Max 1200 and VMAX 1700). Like Honda, Yamaha tries some interesting stuff.

The Yamaha FZ8 is a great bike (and a great used buy, these days a bit of an unsung hero). But the FZ-09 is more powerful and lighter. It is, in the words of most owners, a wheelie machine.

The Yamaha Tracer used (and still uses today) the exact same engine as its FZ-09 stablemate. It’s the same 847 cc triple, code-named the “CP3”, tuned for the same power and same torque. I note this repeatedly because in nearly every other upright adventure sport tourer, manufacturers change the power delivery, opting for mid-range torque over top-end power.

Triumph had been making the Triumph Tiger 800 since 2010. The Triumph Tiger 800 is based on a long-stroke 799 cc triple, a longer-stroke version of the original 675 engine. The original Tiger 800 also came in a standard model and an XC, which came with more protection, 21-inch spoked rim, tubed tires, and longer travel suspension (just mentioning this as Yamaha never did this with the Tracer).

MV Agusta had announced their Turismo Veloce 800 in 2013… though it didn’t make it to the market until 2015 (slightly after the arrival of the Yamaha Tracer 900 / FJ-09). The MVATV is also powered by a triple and has roughly the same power specs as the Tracer, but generally has higher-end equipment (higher end suspension, brakes, standard cruise control, etc.). MV Agusta never went the “adventure” route.

Anyway, enough about other bikes. The first Tracer 900 (a.k.a FJ-09 in the US and MT-09 Tracer in Australia) is basically a Yamaha FZ-09 but more… all-day.

Since the first Tracer 900, Yamaha has changed the name (standardising it worldwide, eventually), released a GT version, revised internal and external bits, and changed the engine once. More on this evolution of the Yamaha Tracer below.

For 2018, Yamaha standardised the naming worldwide, calling it the Yamaha Tracer 900. At the same time, they released the Tracer 900 GT — again, with the same name worldwide. They kept this naming convention through 2020.

For 2021, Yamaha released the Yamaha Tracer 9, which is based on the updated 890 cc triple engine. The Tracer 9 and Tracer 9 GT have the same name everywhere.

Spec2015-2020 FJ-09 / MT-09 Tracer / Tracer 900 (including GT)2021+ Yamaha Tracer 9 (including GT and GT+)EngineGen 1 CP3 — 847cc inline-3 (triple), DOHC, 12-valveGen 2 CP3 — 889cc inline-3 (triple), DOHC, 12-valve

Second, we’ll look specifically at the extra things you get in Yamaha Tracer base spec vs GT of each model. This includes 2023+ Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+, which gets radar-assisted adaptive cruise control, putting it among a select few motorcycles with adaptive cruise for 2023.

SpecTracer 900 / FJ-09 / MT-09 TracerTracer 900 GT (2019-2020)Tracer 92021+ Tracer 9 GT2023+ Tracer 9 GT+Curb / Wet weight210 kg (463 lb)215 kg (474 lb)213 kg (470 lb)220 kg (485 lb)223 kg (492 lb)

Added accessoriesn/aHeated grips, side cases, center standn/aHeated grips, side cases, centre stand, protectionHeated grips, side cases, centre stand, protectionTracer 900 GT vs Tracer 9 GT and GT+ — Core changes

The headline feature (for some, anyway) in the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is the new engine. Like its predecessor, it’s a “nearly 900 cc” inline 3-cylinder 12-valve engine with dual overhead cams, liquid cooling, and a revvy character.

Yamaha calls the Yamaha Tracer 900 / 9’s motor the “CP3” engine, meaning “crossplane three-cylinder”. The word “crossplane” is borrowed from their marketing for the 2009+ Yamaha YZF-R1 engine (also seen in the MT-10). In the inline-four engine, it denotes a different firing order to the conventional one seen in other inline fours. But the CP3 engine has an even firing order — 240-240-240 degrees between each cylinder top-dead centre, giving a firing order of bang-pause-bang-pause-bang-pause.

By contrast, the 2020+ Triumph Tiger 900 uses a more unusual, unevenly spaced firing order for their engine, which they call the “T-plane”. They say the firing order is “1-3-2”, with 180-270-270 degrees between each cylinder firing, giving a bang-short pause-bang-longer pause-bang-longer-pause.

Also like its predecessor, the engine in the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is exactly like the one in the revised 2021 Yamaha MT-09 and 2022 Yamaha XSR900. Same engine, same power spec, same everything.

This is a different approach for Yamaha compared to other manufacturers, who usually re-tune the engine for their larger sport tourers. For example, Kawasaki re-tuned the engine in the Versys 1000, making it more torque-forward compared to the Kawasaki Ninja 1000.

Yamaha chose path three, lengthening the stroke by 3 mm, increasing the displacement, and letting Yamaha tune the motor for marginally more power and overall, much improved torque.

So overall, which is the better motor? The fact is, they’re both great. Both generations of the CP3 engine have really flat torque curves with just a bit of sport bike spunk between 6-9000 rpm if you feel like playing.

Here’s what they all look like (click through). Personally, I don’t mind the LCD, but the twin TFT is also cool, a bit like looking at the sunglasses of a fighter pilot.

The dual TFT is a pretty unique configuration in motorcycles in general as well as in the class. It gives me the feeling of looking at something other than a phone screen, which I enjoy.

The display on the Tracer 9 GT+ brings with it a couple of new tricks, like smartphone connectivity, that can let you take calls or listen to music, and integration with Garmin navigation when you have the Motorise app.

The original Yamaha Tracer 900 already had upgraded suspension compared to the MT-09 that it replaced, with increased damping, and adjustable preload and rebound damping on both the fork and rear shock. The Tracer 900 GT has higher-spec suspension again, with adjustable compression damping on top.

Like its stablemates the 2021 MT-09 SP and the 2022 XSR900, the new Yamaha Tracer 9 GT gets a six-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), which means it gets cornering ABS and traction control.

But Yamaha has been slow to add an IMU to other bikes. Others in the CP3 class have it (like the 2021+ Yamaha MT-09 and 2022+ Yamaha XSR900), but few others do.

More importantly, the other premium middleweight adventure motorcycles that are alternatives to the Tracer 9 all are equipped with an IMU. So Yamaha is in line with the competition here — and ahead in a few other aspects.

The 2023+ Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ also gets radar-assisted adaptive cruise control, which helps you set a following distance to avoid having to constantly tweak cruising speed. See below on this.

Finally, the Tracer 9 GT+ gets radar-linked assisted unified braking (UBS, for Unified Brake System). If you turn it on, you get a some pretty nifty new safety technology.

So the Tracer 9 GT+ brakes have active systems not just for the throttle but also for the brakes. This is taking motorcycle safety to another level — though some might be wary of that level of intervention.

I always liked the Tracer 900 for being one of the more affordable middleweight sport tourers with cruise control. (See other affordable/mid-range motorcycles with cruise control.)

The 2019 model Tracer 900 GT had cruise control, though the standard model did not. But the 2021+ Tracer 9 base model (where available… not everywhere gets it) has cruise control, as does the GT, obviously.

The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+’s new 7-inch TFT (replacing the twin TFT meters on the standard GT) has new functionality to show the status of the ACC system.

You can shift gears when using Yamaha’s ACC, as long as you use the quick shifter (which is a new-generation on the GT+). You can also do this on most other adaptive cruise control-equipped motorcycles, as long as they have a quick shifter (not all of them have one, e.g. the R 18 B / Transcontinental, and if you can do a shift while holding the clutch in for only 1.5 seconds on the R 18 B / Transcontinental, good for you!)

The adaptive cruise control system’s radars feeds as an input not just to the throttle, but also to the unified brake system (UBS). When UBS is switched on, the Tracer 9 GT+ will automatically apply brakes to avoid collisions. Next-level safety!

To keep things simple, I’m comparing the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT spec (which is the only spec available in the US and Australia — though Europe gets both) with the higher spec equivalents from other brands, and the most recent models, otherwise this would be a massive matrix.

If you’re persnickety you’ll notice I didn’t include the Kawasaki Versys 1000. It’s just a bit too big and heavy. This is despite the fact that I think of the Yamaha Tracer 9 (and other triples) as an alternative to the Versys 1000 — because the Versys 1000 is kind of unique with its four-cylinder engine.

ModelYamaha Tracer 9 (2021+)Triumph Tiger 900 GTDucati Multistrada 950 / V2BMW F 900 XRMV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800Engine890 cc triple, “CP3”888 cc triple, “T3 crank”937 cc V-twin “Testastretta”895 cc parallel twin798 cc triple

Peak power87.5 kW (119 PS / 117.4 bhp) @ 10000 rpm70 kW (95 PS / 94 bhp) @ 8750 rpm83 kW / 113 CV / 111 bhp @ 9000 rpm77 kW (105 PS / 103 bhp)81 kW / 110 CV / 108 bhp @ 10150 rpm

Special features* GT spec has standard luggage, protection, center stand, heated grips, cornering lightsS version has electronically adjustable suspension and QS* S version has Skyhook suspension, cornering lights, cruise control, quick shifter* Premium package includes active suspension, ABS Pro* Lusso for all premium features

Right away, looking at the above, what stands out is that the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is still the value pick of adventure sport touring motorcycles. You get a LOT of features for your dollars!

The Triumph Tiger 900 GT is the first motorcycle I think of when thinking of alternatives to the Yamaha Tracer 9 — mostly because of its engine. After all, the Tiger 800 was the most obvious alternative to the Tracer 900.

The Tiger 900 motorcycles are all based around the same engine — an 888 cc triple. It’s very similar to the CP3 motor in the Yamaha Tracer 9, but with one difference — the unusual 1-3-2 (compared to the Yamaha 1-2-3) firing order, with 180 degrees between crankpins 1 and 3, then 270 degrees to pin 2, then 270 degrees back to 1. Triumph calls this “T-Plane”.

The stated goal of T-Plane is to give the bike more low-end torque without sacrificing top-end power. But you can’t forget that it just gives the Triumph motor a unique character which makes it harder to directly compare the Tiger 900 with other bikes.

The Tiger 900 GT is the road-going version of the Tiger range — the off-road/adventure version being the Tiger 900 Rally. And the GT Pro is the higher-rated version of the same bike with a few features that bring it nearly on par with the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT.

The Triumph Tiger 900 is a wonderful bike, but you can’t ignore that even though it’s higher-priced, it’s significantly down on power, and doesn’t come with active suspension. If those are important to you, give it a miss.

The Multistrada V2 is a very capable bike in base form. But the one most people would really want is the V2 S, which comes with a few basics I’m a bit miffed aren’t on the V2, like a TFT display and cruise control, or even cornering lights.

An upgrade that I’m less surprised only comes on the S version is “Skyhook” suspension, which aims to keep the Ducati Multistrada always upright, as if hanging from a hook in the sky above it. (It’s completely the opposite of the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT’s “Ground-hook” suspension, by the way.)

Anyway, the F 900 XR was also very interesting. This is BMW’s “do-all” middleweight. It has a very lively 895 cc parallel twin in a road-goading package with simple good looks and just enough spec for a wide variety of things.

I like the BMW, and it’s very easy to ride, and I’m a BMW fan. But even with the premium packages it falls a little short on spec compared to the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT. Besides which, I didn’t find the ride that thrilling — just functional.

I really like the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce for its style, but the riding experience is very similar to that of a Tracer, in part because of the triple engine. Dyno runs show them working very similarly – a wide plateau of torque from 3000 rpm to the redline.

Like I said, I’m constantly drawn back to the Yamaha Tracer. Out of all of them, now that there are a few on the used market, I’d look at a 1-2 year old Tracer 9 GT that someone bought intending to ride around the country until sense got the better of them. A bike like that would only have a few thousand Ks or miles on it and would look new, but the owners would sell it at a big discount.

A few things that make the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT a uniquely good bike to ride are the active suspension, the unique display layout (it’s what you look at all day!) and acclaimed Yamaha reliability with extremely wide service intervals to boot (42000 km / 26600 mile between valve services).

The only part where I feel a bit let down by the Tracer 9 is in style. Not in an objective sense — I mean, it’s not ugly — it just doesn’t have a style that screams at me with uniqueness or inspiration.

The best part is that the Tracer looks pretty good. It’s not going to rock your world like the latest superbike or shiny cruiser, but it looks pretty good. Anyway, enough about this.

yamaha tracer 900 gt tft display quotation

This is a stunning looking GT model in one of the best colour schemes. As standard it comes with power modes, traction control, ABS, quickshifter, TFT screen, heated grips, cruise, adjustable screen, panniers and the GT comes with fully adjustable suspension. These are a fantastic bike and represent great value for money. This particular bike comes with some engine bars, and a radiator guard. Don"t delay on this one.

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yamaha tracer 900 gt tft display quotation

Yamaha’s focus on its MT-derived machines in 2018 continues with the bike formerly known as the MT-09 Tracer. While it’s now the Tracer 900 it’s still got the MT’s bloodline and has proved similarly successful. The latest version marks its first major upgrade since the model was launched.

Changes include reshaped bodywork and an improved chassis, while there’s a new addition to the range in the form of the Tracer 900GT that adds more equipment and luxury.

Technically, the Tracer 900 gets a new, longer swingarm and revised rear shock, new passenger grab bars and footrests, and narrower handlebars with redesigned hand guards. It reaches dealers in March.

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WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT THIS STUNNING YAMAHA TRACER 900 GT MODEL, COMES WITH 12 MONTHS NATIONAL WARRANTY, FINANCE AVAILABLE, 1 owner bike with full dealer service history, just had a oil and filter change, new rear tyre 300 miles ago, 3 keys inc red key, comes in Matt blue, extras include puig light smoked touring screen(no turbulence) + puig spoiler, comes with the original screen too, genuine Yamaha led indicators front 2021 model, radiator guard, being a GT model the bike comes with quick release colour coded panniers, cruise control, heated grips, colour TFT display, 3 ridding modes, adjustable traction control, ABS, quick shifter, slipper clutch, quick preload adjustable suspension and head lights, led headlights, day time running lights, 12v socket, and a very handy centre stand, ALL MAJOR CREDIT, DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED

FULLY-ADJUSTABLE FORK: The Tracer 900 GT uses a fully-adjustable front fork derived from the MT-09. The 41mm inverted fork now features compression damping adjustability in addition to the rebound damping and spring preload adjustments. Not only does this allow riders greater flexibility in tuning their Tracer, the fork design separates compression and rebound damping into separate fork legs, making it easier to fine-tune for the perfect setup across all 5.4 inches of fork travel.

ADJUSTABLE MONOSHOCK: The rear suspension features a linked-type Monocross® shock, positioned below the seat with an almost horizontal alignment. This unique positioning contributes to mass centralization and a slimmer body design. Already adjustable for rebound damping and spring preload, the Tracer 900 GT also features a remote preload adjuster, allowing easy, tool-less adjustment for various loads.

POWRERFUL, CONTROLLABLE BRAKES: Front brakes consist of paired floating 298mm discs with 4-piston calipers. The calipers are radial mounted for improved feel just like Yamaha’s race-winning supersport machines. Yamaha’s anti-lock brake system (ABS) works to help prevent wheel lock during hard deceleration for additional braking security.

UPDATED ALUMINUM CHASSIS: The Tracer 900 GT aluminum frame utilizes Yamaha’s Controlled Fill vacuum casting technology to create a strong, compact chassis with the engine as a stressed member for balanced rigidity. A longer swingarm improves the feeling of drive from the rear tire.

ADJUSTABLE ERGONOMICS: The tapered aluminum handlebar is narrower and features lighter, sleeker handlebar guards to match, along with adjustable heated grips controlled through the TFT dashboard. The handlebar mounts are adjustable laterally between two positions to accommodate different rider preferences, while the rider’s seat can be easily adjusted 0.6 inches up or down for additional legroom. Passenger legroom is also improved for 2019 thanks to revised passenger footpeg positioning.

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6-AXIS IMU: The 2021 Tracer 9 GT features a developed 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that retains the base performance of proven IMU in the YZF-R1 but is 50% smaller and 40% lighter due to a thorough review of the sensor layout. The engine control unit (ECU) that receives and reflects the data from the IMU is equipped with three rider aids: a Traction Control System (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS) and the front-wheel LIFt control system (LIF). The Brake Control System is controlled by the Hydraulic Control Unit (separate unit from ECU) which modulates front and rear brake pressure based on data from the IMU as well as the front and rear wheel speed sensors. All three systems work together to help the rider concentrate on better extracting the machine’s potential. Each of the systems can also be turned on or off and have their levels of intervention adjusted to preference.

LEAN ANGLE-SENSITIVE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM: The Traction Control System (TCS) detects the difference in speed between the front and rear wheels and helps to efficiently extract drive force from the rear tire during acceleration. The TCS on the 2021 Tracer 9 GT uses this data for the lean angle, estimated by the IMU to adjust the degree of intervention by the TCS. As the lean angle increases, so does the amount of TCS intervention (1 = little intervention; 2 = moderate intervention; 3 = strong intervention).

LIFT CONTROL SYSTEM (LIF): The LIFt Control System (LIF) intervenes when the IMU predicts front-wheel lift to adjust the engine"s output to compensate and assist the rider. On the 2021 Tracer 9 GT, the system settings are focused on providing smooth behavior once the intervention ceases. The LIFt system’s intervention is set up to work together with the other rider aids, and with Mode M, the level of intervention can be chosen manually by the rider.

MOTOGP®-DEVELOPED SLIDE CONTROL SYSTEM (SCS): The 2021 Tracer 9 GT features the Slide Control System (SCS), just like the one on the acclaimed YZF-R1. When the IMU predicts that a sideward slide is occurring at the rear tire, the SCS responds by adjusting the power output to help the rider focus on riding. The degree of intervention is pre-set for the TCS with Mode 1 and Mode 2, but Mode M allows for the level of intervention to be selected or for the system to be turned off.

QUICK SHIFT SYSTEM FOR CLUTCHLESS UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS: The QSS on the Tracer 9 GT provides both clutchless upshifts and downshifts. When the sensor on the shift rod detects movement in the gearshift pedal, adjustments are made in the engine output according to ECU calculations to instantly cancel out the drive torque of the engaged gear to promote swifter shifting of gears.

RIDE-BY-WIRE YCC-T THROTTLE SYSTEM WITH APSG: The Tracer 9 GT"s Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) electronically governs the throttle valves, but unlike the system on former models that use a cable to relay throttle inputs via a pulley, the 2021 Tracer 9 GT features the Accelerator Position Sensor Grip (ASPG) ride-by-wire unit that provides excellent throttle feel. With the APSG, the degree of throttle opening is detected by a sensor and magnet and reflected with signals to the throttle valve motor. For good operational feel, the APSG is comprised of a spring, slider and gear and produces varying degrees of friction (resistance) to recreate a natural throttle feel during use. The construction of the APSG for the 2021 Tracer 9 GT is the same as the one on the 2020 YZF-R1/R1M but has model-specific settings for the degree of friction and throttle opening.

CRUISE CONTROL: The Tracer 9 GT features a cruise control system for easy riding. Cruise control can be set when going at least 31 mph (or 50 kmh) and in 4th gear or higher. After the cruise speed is set, the speed can be increased or decreased in increments of 1 mph (or 2 kmh) with single pushes of the switch or by continuously holding down the switch. Cancel the cruise control by braking or by using the clutch or the throttle. The “Resume” function reengages the system and returns the bike to its previous set speed.

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