Picking up my new bike today

[Chicken Chaser]

Lovely bike and something I'd seriously consider when I change. Not quite sure on the colour schemes though, none of them have given me a WANT NOW feeling. Hopefully something different come the autumn.

[Chicken Chaser]

Incidentally, side by side with the Triumph 800 how did it compare?

[jaf01uk]

Have they stopped doing the free Akropovic exhaust or does the Tracer not qualify? Looking at one of these in red myself,
Gary

[AceOfHearts]

Chicken Chaser said:

Incidentally, side by side with the Triumph 800 how did it compare?

A lot faster and a lot more sporty. It feels a lot less grown up as well if that makes sense, I can't really imagine going on any hard rides with the Tiger but the Tracer definitely seems a lot more fun, and I would also consider taking it on a trackday. On the downsides the suspension is not as good (but the Tiger i rode was the XCX with WP suspension) and it was very impressive 2 up, and the engine in the Tiger was smoother and with a more gentle throttle. In 'A mode' the Tracer can be a bit snatchy on and off the throttle but there are a few well regarded cheap fixes which I will have a go at in the near future.

Also I prefer ergonomics of the Tracer, the footpegs are a lot further back than the Tiger and although it is still all day comfy the foot back position just suits me better. The dash I also found easier to read and navigate, with all the information needed right there at a glance, but i must admit I don't like the look of it (Just a big rectangular box right in front of you).

[AceOfHearts]

jaf01uk said:

Have they stopped doing the free Akropovic exhaust or does the Tracer not qualify? Looking at one of these in red myself,
Gary

No free Akropovic from the dealers I went to (was a £1000 option!)

Its annoying as I love the carbon Akropovic full system which can be found for around £550 but it requires the centre stand removing to fit it



It will get a louder exhaust at some point but I think I will wait until there are a few more options. The best so far I think is the Arrow system which still allows the centre stand to be fitted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQBXsjwS_o

(7:00 onwards)

Also on a separate note I am now up to 200 miles, and today have just fitted the front fender extender and an R&G tail tidy. I have also given it its first thorough coating of ACF50 which I will do quite regularly to keep any corrosion at bay

Edited by AceOfHearts on Wednesday 27th May 15:45

[J B L]

Very nice and congratulations on the new bike.

The Tracer is very high on the list for me too as I am looking at commuter/tourer tool with a bit of fun thrown in. Tried it several weeks ago and it ticked all the boxes.

Didn't know about the necessary removal of the centerstand to fit the Akrapovic. The dealer offered it at half price fitted at the first service.

Did you get any deal or discount?

[AceOfHearts]

The titanium Akropovic fits with the centre stand, but not the carbon one. Problem is I can stand the triple outlets on the titanium one

No deals apart from free fitting of accessories and no labour cost on first service. They are popular at the moment so i think deals are thin on the ground.

[AceOfHearts]

1 week / 350 mile Update

Got through my first full tank yesterday. 190 miles before reserve and took around 15 litres. That works out around 57mpg which I am very happy with over my commute (half dual carriageway and half sweeping a roads), and gives a theoretical tank range of about 250 miles if you wanted to run it dry. This is also only 3mpg different to what the trip computer said which is handy)

First complaint of though from riding it in to work today (first time out in the rain)

I got to work all ok but found the pillion seat, my back and laptop bag absolutely soaked with dirty road water

Ive never had a bike which has soaked my back before so not really sure how to go about fixing it. I have a hugger on order which should be here in the next week or so, but i don't know if it really needs one of those little guard things that hook round the back of the wheel? If not hopefully a top box will sort it as I will be getting one anyways but its not really ideal.

Edited by AceOfHearts on Sunday 31st May 07:09

[Liam876]

Thanks for the update. I'll be placing a deposit this week!

Unfortunately the best I could get regarding test rides was a 10-15 minute accompanied ride on a preplanned route.
Not ideal as most of my riding tends to be either town centre or major a roads and neither of these were included but overall the bike felt great and online feedback seems mainly positive.

[AceOfHearts]

Just treated the bike to a full set of Shad hard luggage including pillion backrest and pannier inner bags Should be here next week so I can start planning my summer euro trip

First service booked in for the 15th June so I will try not to overshoot the mileage too much (was the nearest date they could do!)

[J B L]

AceOfHearts said:

Just treated the bike to a full set of Shad hard luggage including pillion backrest and pannier inner bags Should be here next week so I can start planning my summer euro trip

First service booked in for the 15th June so I will try not to overshoot the mileage too much (was the nearest date they could do!)

Did you go for the Yamaha genuine adaptor plate for the top case or are there sufficient 3rd party supplier out there not to bother?

Mine would be coming with OEM heated grips as they are nicely integrated but I reckon that's all you'd need.

[3DP]

AceOfHearts said:

First complaint of though from riding it in to work today (first time out in the rain)

I got to work all ok but found the pillion seat, my back and laptop bag absolutely soaked with dirty road water

Ive never had a bike which has soaked my back before so not really sure how to go about fixing it. I have a hugger on order which should be here in the next week or so, but i don't know if it really needs one of those little guard things that hook round the back of the wheel? If not hopefully a top box will sort it as I will be getting one anyways but its not really ideal.

Edited by AceOfHearts on Sunday 31st May 07:09

That will be your tail tidy. If the rear tyre sticks out further than the back of the bike, water flicked up at low/medium speeds will go onto your back and the rear seat as it can come back beyond the vertical.

A hugger won't stop that - only putting on a longer rear mudguard will.

Glad you are enjoying it though!

[AceOfHearts]

J B L said:

AceOfHearts said:

Just treated the bike to a full set of Shad hard luggage including pillion backrest and pannier inner bags Should be here next week so I can start planning my summer euro trip

First service booked in for the 15th June so I will try not to overshoot the mileage too much (was the nearest date they could do!)

Did you go for the Yamaha genuine adaptor plate for the top case or are there sufficient 3rd party supplier out there not to bother?

Mine would be coming with OEM heated grips as they are nicely integrated but I reckon that's all you'd need.

Yes I have the heated grips ordered for mine too but apparently there is a bit of a lead time on them, the only other genuine accessory I got was the radiator guard.

All of the luggage bits were from Shad (The pdf's are quite useful):

http://www.shad.es/en/shad-world/products/fittings...

I decided against the Givi stuff due to the price and I much prefer the Shad 3 point mounting brackets as they look a lot less intrusive when the panniers are not on the bike.

[J B L]

AceOfHearts said:

J B L said:

AceOfHearts said:

Just treated the bike to a full set of Shad hard luggage including pillion backrest and pannier inner bags Should be here next week so I can start planning my summer euro trip

First service booked in for the 15th June so I will try not to overshoot the mileage too much (was the nearest date they could do!)

Did you go for the Yamaha genuine adaptor plate for the top case or are there sufficient 3rd party supplier out there not to bother?

Mine would be coming with OEM heated grips as they are nicely integrated but I reckon that's all you'd need.

Yes I have the heated grips ordered for mine too but apparently there is a bit of a lead time on them, the only other genuine accessory I got was the radiator guard.

All of the luggage bits were from Shad (The pdf's are quite useful):

http://www.shad.es/en/shad-world/products/fittings...

I decided against the Givi stuff due to the price and I much prefer the Shad 3 point mounting brackets as they look a lot less intrusive when the panniers are not on the bike.

Looks neat. Never heard of Shad before. That's me educated.

On a side note, I'm always surprised by the low weight capacity these boxes allow, yet they'll happily sell you a pillion pad for your passenger to lean on. any reason for that or are manufacturers overly cautious?

[CAPP0]

These do look like the perfect all-round bike, and at a great price. They are definitely on my radar if I do decide to go for a new bike again.

[Liam876]

Would be good to get your opinions on the shad set too. I'm intending to get their 3 piece set, I've seen some pictures and have been offered a good deal on it but would be good to hear some first hand experience of it actually in use.

Also whether you have experienced any front end lightness or wobble with or without luggage?

[jaf01uk]

Guess what I got home last week.......

[AceOfHearts]

Good man!

I am just at Hemel Yamaha waiting whilst it gets its 600mile service. Can't wait to get past the breaking in period and properly open it up

[AceOfHearts]

Look what turned up today





And pannier inner bags



The mounts also look very very and solid. I will get it all fitted up today

[AceOfHearts]

Well that was surprisingly easy!

The only issue was that with the tail tidy the original indicators hit of the pannier bars, so I have just ordered up some smaller rear indicators.