2019 Tracer 900 GT Test Ride

[Grumpy Goat]

Sorry no video ... just some thoughts on a bike presently listed at one of the dealerships here.

   
   
   

Bike is in excellent condition, only has 2600 miles, and they want $11k. Has the TFT dash, and obligatory (for me) cruise control, quickshifter (up only), 3 ride modes, multiple levels of TC, 3 levels of customizable heated grips, adjustable windshield, etc. Even comes with the god-awful lollipop turn signals - that would be the first to go! Otherwise, aesthetically it is a very good looking bike to these eyes. Mirrors work well and you can actually use them at 75 mph and below.

Took a test ride on the freeway nearby, and then in stop and go traffic in brilliant 95 deg.F Texas noon-day BS. It passed my 75 mph cruising test as wind blast / noise, vibration and engine rpm were acceptable. Fail that test and any potential sale is gone. AAMOF, the wind noise is quieter than the RS even with my MRA screen at one of its quieter (summer positions) That is a plus. I could not note the rpms at 75 mph due to the heavy traffic but the feel was fine.

The triple-cylinder engine is a gem - lots of torque and a revvy nature. Smoother bike than the S1000R but not as smooth as the RS, whose vibration is different. The brakes are probably the weak point of this bike - front is OK and the rear is underwhelming. With my 30" inseam I am on my tiptoes both sides but that was OK. Seating and leg position were comfortable and the seat did not cup my butt so I couldn't move (hate that!). Side to side transitions were quite easy - between the RS and the S1000R and this promises to be a more manoeuverable bike than even the RS. The S1000R is crap in that regard.

The quickshifter was better than the RS from 1st to 2nd but not beyond that - RS was better overall. RS wins on downshifts since it has an autoblipper and the Tracer GT does not. The S1000R beats them both in upshifts. and mine has the same shortcoming as the Tracer GT on the way down. On the Tracer GT I was unable to shift down with the clutch a couple of times ... maybe it needs adjustment or maybe it was because I had just tried to change down without a clutch just before and it as confused. Speaking of the clutch - even though it is not hydraulic it is just as light as the RS's clutch - excellent feel. Neutral was nice and easy to find unlike the sidestand, but at least the footpegs don't poke me in the calf muscle when stopped.

Turn signal throws are irritatingly long - love my BMW switchgear! - but at least they are in the same place w.r.t the horn as BMW unlike Hondas.

Panniers are quite nice and have as much volume as the RS panniers. Neither fit my XL helmet. There are no pannier racks like with the RS so with the panniers off it doesn't look as bad. The ignition key is in a position only a fool could contrive. On top of the triple tree between the handlebar and the TFT dash. Even with smaller hands it is a PITA to reach.

Overall a nice bike that could conceivably displace the S1000R since it is a better fit for my riding style. I want a bike that I could bring offroad very occasionally to reach nice camping spots, nothing too gnarly and I have no need for a dedicated off-road bike that is not so good on the street. Of course the GS is probably the right bike but I can only afford one bike if the GS is involved, and am waiting for the 1300.

[Lee]

I think I would like a Tracer 9 GT.
The 2021 is 40 pounds less than the RS and at 117 HP the rear wheel HP is probably more than the RS.
I like the look but it would be better if they painted the nose fairing.
Windshield looks taller than I would like.

As for gravel roads I don't see how the Tracer would be any better than the S1000R.

Looking at the Yamaha site a new 2020 Tracer is $12,000 after rebate.

The updated 2021 must not be available in the US, it doesn't show on the Yamaha website.

[Grumpy Goat]

I think I would like a Tracer 9 GT.
The 2021 is 40 pounds less than the RS and at 117 HP the rear wheel HP is probably more than the RS.

You are probably right. And that triple revs higher than the RS and even though the torque is less it is still strong.

I like the look but it would be better if they painted the nose fairing.
Windshield looks taller than I would like.

I have seen a couple of reviews that complain a bit about the windshield, and there are many choices in the aftermarket. In the photos above the windshield is in the uppermost position and it can be lowered about 2 inches. It is not bad looking to me.

As for gravel roads I don't see how the Tracer would be any better than the S1000R.

I think it would be better than the S1000R for a few reasons -
# Wheelbase -
S1000R : Wheelbase: 56.7 in. Rake/Trail: 24 degrees/3.8 in.
Tracer 900GT : Wheelbase: 59.1 in. Rake/Trail: 24 degrees/3.9 in.
# Suspension travel -
S1000R : Front 4.7" / Rear 4.7"
Tracer GT : Front 5.4" / Rear 5.6"
# Tires -
S1000R - Performance Street w/ 190 mm rear tire
Tracer GT : Can put 80:20 tires on it and not make it look like a joke
# Seat height to peg - More on the Tracer GT than the S1000R. Should be able to stand on the Tracer GT.

That said, I just came back from a ride on the S1000R. I would not be giving it away, that is for sure.

[Liteitup]

I have a riding friend here that bought one. He couldn't make it fit him. I'm not sure what the problem was, but he sold the bike with very few miles and ended up with a R1250GS.

He does still have a brand new front and rear seat from Sargent if you proceed.

[Grumpy Goat]

I have a riding friend here that bought one. He couldn't make it fit him. I'm not sure what the problem was, but he sold the bike with very few miles and ended up with a R1250GS.

He does still have a brand new front and rear seat from Sargent if you proceed.

Good to know. Doesn't look too bad. Is the seat heated by any chance? [Sargent seats]

As for fit ... did he not thoroughly try it before buying? I see a few of these bikes on Cycle Trader with very low miles and can't help wondering why some people did not keep those bikes.

When I buy a bike I have to have 2 test rides (minimum) - first one is to see if it passes the minimum tests and I should even bother to continue to research. If the numbers are sounding good and I get closer to pulling the trigger, I take it for a more discriminating test ride, focusing on living with the bike. If it still passes then I buy, if not the sale is dead.

That said, the RS was the exception. Bought after one 2 hour test ride.

[Liteitup]

I have a riding friend here that bought one. He couldn't make it fit him. I'm not sure what the problem was, but he sold the bike with very few miles and ended up with a R1250GS.

He does still have a brand new front and rear seat from Sargent if you proceed.

Good to know. Doesn't look too bad. Is the seat heated by any chance? [Sargent seats]

As for fit ... did he not thoroughly try it before buying? I see a few of these bikes on Cycle Trader with very low miles and can't help wondering why some people did not keep those bikes.

When I buy a bike I have to have 2 test rides (minimum) - first one is to see if it passes the minimum tests and I should even bother to continue to research. If the numbers are sounding good and I get closer to pulling the trigger, I take it for a more discriminating test ride, focusing on living with the bike. If it still passes then I buy, if not the sale is dead.

That said, the RS was the exception. Bought after one 2 hour test ride.

I don't think they're heated, here's the ad...
https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/fs-...00.126848/

I don't know his buying procedure, but I bought both BMW's, the KTM. a Tenere, and my little Chinese scooter without a test ride. Several other bikes were bought with very limited rides, just long enough to know everything works(brakes, gearbox, etc).

[Grumpy Goat]

I don't think they're heated, here's the ad...
https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/fs-...00.126848/

I don't know his buying procedure, but I bought both BMW's, the KTM. a Tenere, and my little Chinese scooter without a test ride. Several other bikes were bought with very limited rides, just long enough to know everything works(brakes, gearbox, etc).

Thanks for the ad. That is a decent price. I will bear that in mind if this deal does not fall through.

You are more trusting than I when buying.

[runnerhiker]

   
   

I had a 2019 Tracer 900 GT that I kept for a year and traded it in on my 2019 S1000XR. I put 4,500 miles on the Tracer.

I agree with all you said about the Tracer, a very nice bike. I don't have a good rational explanation as to why I got tired of it after one year, but I did. The XR just gave me more of everything that was good. I think the short answer is that I wanted more engine power. And the XR delivers on that count.

Lee made a comment about the Tracer power should be similar to the RS, I didn't think so, by a long shot. You have to shift down a couple of gears and make that triple roar if you want power out of it. Your S1000 should be like my S1000, not torquey like the RS, but once you wind it up, 170 HP is a lot more than 117HP (or whatever the Tracer is). Remember I ride a lot of twisty canyon roads and pass on double yellow, when I twist the throttle, I gotta go!

The Tracer has a long list of positive of which you noted some good ones. And there are no hidden flaws, what you see during a test ride is what you'll get - no surprises. I enjoyed my Tracer, I like my XR better, I think the Tracer is a great bike.

The wind protection and panniers of the Tracer will serve you well.

[Lee]

Lee made a comment about the Tracer power should be similar to the RS, I didn't think so, by a long shot. You have to shift down a couple of gears and make that triple roar if you want power out of it.

I just looked up the torque and it's a lot less than the RS.
60 for the Tracer and 92 for the RS.
I don't think 60 would be enough for me, I use torque more than HP.

If Wayne want to use the Tracer as a adventure bike I would think more torque would be better.

[Duckbubbles]

I use torque more than HP.

I can ride my RS for months and hardly ever approach 6000 rpm.

Frank

[Grumpy Goat]

I just looked up the torque and it's a lot less than the RS.
60 for the Tracer and 92 for the RS.
I don't think 60 would be enough for me, I use torque more than HP.

If Wayne want to use the Tracer as a adventure bike I would think more torque would be better.

Point well taken, but on the other hand I look at Itchy Boots, On Her Bike, As the Magpie Flies (all on YT), and others and they haul a lot of gear with less torque than the Tracer 900GT. Of course they are all personally lighter than I and they drive mainly off-road so they travel slower and don't emphasize performance so that would likely be the limitation. I was looking at the 750 & 850 GSs and they are too pricey for a second bike for me. All just dreaming I guess ...

[TriangleRider]

I swapped my RS for a buddy's Tracer for 100 miles of mountain riding. The difference between the two bikes was stark. RS is happiest between 2.5K and 7K RPM, GT is happy between 7K and 9K RPM. If you like riding at high revs and shifting a lot, the GT can be super fun. As always, the BMW brakes were far superior.

[runnerhiker]

Lee made a comment about the Tracer power should be similar to the RS, I didn't think so, by a long shot. You have to shift down a couple of gears and make that triple roar if you want power out of it.

I just looked up the torque and it's a lot less than the RS.
60 for the Tracer and 92 for the RS.
I don't think 60 would be enough for me, I use torque more than HP.

"There is no replacement for displacement"
1200cc is a lot more than 850cc

[Lee]

[
"There is no replacement for displacement"
1200cc is a lot more than 850cc

True
When I was younger I liked the torque of big block car engines better than the high winding small blocks.
Small block could handle better but by then I was living in Iowa with straight roads.
You would have thought I would be a Harley rider but never got interested in them.

[Grumpy Goat]

[Lee]

Good looking bike.

[Grumpy Goat]

Good looking bike.

Thanks. Indeed it is. Looks even better in reality. Let’s see how it works out. Hopefully it earns a name.


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[Lee]

Will you add a rear rack?

I see the 39 liter top box is fairly inexpensive.

https://www.shopyamaha.com/product/detai...l-top-case

[Grumpy Goat]

Will you add a rear rack?

I see the 39 liter top box is fairly inexpensive.

https://www.shopyamaha.com/product/detai...l-top-case

A Givi rear rack is on the way, since I will use the 47 litre top box from the RS. I will also use the newer SW-Motech tank and tail bags from the S-1000R on this bike. That's luggage done.

[mspratz]

Congratulations GG, looks nice!