In love with a Tracer

In love with a Tracer

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Discussion

naka

314 posts

209 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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Picked up a tracer sept 1st and so far have put just over 3000 miles on it, from my experience the suspension is not as bad as people are making out, I was going to fit a hyperpro spring set but have now decided to just stick with the standard suspension. The seat is very hard and and uncomfortable after a while so will be having gel inserts fitted and the standard tyres are crap so they've been binned!

SteelerSE

1,885 posts

155 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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jcelee said:
Besides the Tracer, what do people rate as a reasonably lightweight, upright, moderately powered sports tourer with at least ABS in terms of modernity?
Don't know about lightweight but the Honda Crossrunner probably ticks all your boxes. In terms of tourer a Versys 1000 seems like good value too.

AceOfHearts

5,818 posts

190 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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SteelerSE said:
jcelee said:
Besides the Tracer, what do people rate as a reasonably lightweight, upright, moderately powered sports tourer with at least ABS in terms of modernity?
Don't know about lightweight but the Honda Crossrunner probably ticks all your boxes. In terms of tourer a Versys 1000 seems like good value too.
I looked at the Tiger 800 and Crossrunner before buying the Tracer. To be honest i liked the Tiger the best, but the marginal amount that I preferred the bike was outweighed by the price difference, price of accessories and crap finance deals that Triumph offered me. The Crossrunner felt a bit grown up and boring to me, plus the misses didn't like the pillion seat.

As above I dont actually find the suspension that bad, when I first got it the setup was very crashy (standard settings) but softening it up a bit (especially at the rear) has made a big difference. My biggest complaint with the suspension is that the front has always dived heavily under braking.

I might get it upgraded at some point but I have done 5500 miles now and still think its a blast to ride. At the top of my list is to get a new exhaust as they sound awesome with a bit more volume (and spit flames evil )

The OE heated grips are awesome and a very neat install, apart from that all i have fitted is the Yamaha radiator guard, a carbon fender extender, R&G hugger and full Shad luggage.

All of the niggles that people here have mentioned are easily sorted and each is down to personal opinion, but for the price I think it is a perfect all round package to tweak to your tastes smile

ETA picture whoring from Germany




Edited by AceOfHearts on Saturday 10th October 11:19

Alex@POD

6,133 posts

214 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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I have to say I am very impressed with it after this morning's short test ride. I was impressed at how it picks up speed, how flickable it is, yet it has great potential for touring. It made me feel a bit like riding a supermoto, but with a much greater ability for speed.

Time to crunch some numbers, I've never bought a brand new vehicle as I can never compare the pcp or hp models favourably against buying second hand, but this might have to change smile

Chicken Chaser

Original Poster:

7,744 posts

223 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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Well I need to change the thread title.

Up early doors as it took me 90 minutes to get to the dealers. Initial thoughts were how low and narrow the seat was. Could easily get a foot flat on the floor as I've only got short legs being 5' 8. Engine was so smooth and the power was great. Had it in standard mode to begin with. Loads of power easily beyond the NSL, and the bike felt very smooth and settled on the dual carriageway. Instruments nice and clear although I didn't find the indicator switch too easy to find without glancing at it. In sport mode, throttle seems shorter and more responsive.
Between closed throttle and small openings, felt it was a bit on off, and I found it a little jerky without feathering the clutch.
Then took it off onto some tight and twisty stty stuff. I then found it a bit stiff, and I didn't feel too confident about pushing it. I know its a demo and I'd been on it for less than 20 minutes but I didn't feel all that comfortable about it.
I didn't feel that there was a massive amount of wind protection, couldn't quite find a setting on the screen which didn't create turbulence around my helmet.
The engine was a peach but on the way back in, I just didn't get that 'want to buy it!' feeling.

So on the way home, thought it would be the best time to try the KTM 1050 ADV.
Stuck it in STD mode, and immediately felt more at home. Loved the power delivery which there was more than enough of, definitely more weather protection than the Tracer. On the dual carriageway, seat was wider and softer. Wind was still buffeting my head on this, so again a different screen would be required (this was a mid height screen from KTM).
Then I hit the rough stuff, worse roads than what I'd ridden on the Tracer, but felt much more at home on it, to the point where I needed to tell myself to slow down and be more careful as I didn't fancy paying the excess!
Suspension is night and day better and the brakes are very progressive. Clutch is so light that you could use it with one finger. Slipper clutch means any hamfistedness is ironed out and you just get a smoother ride.

I accept the KTM is more, but it definitely feels more expensive. I think it's still expensive but its marketed wrongly. Its more than quick enough for most of us mortals but its aimed at beginners! The power curve is the same as the 1190 up to about 6k revs, but I don't want to buy a twin and rev the nuts off it!

Now I need to wait and see how far these drop in price by. They've already had a grand knocked off,and they're giving free cases with them too. Alternatively, stick with KTM and buy one of the 990s, either the SM or the SMT.

Alex@POD

6,133 posts

214 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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Good write up, thanks. Nice to read the different opinions.

The 1000 off and free cases, is that on the 1050?

moto_traxport

4,235 posts

220 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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If you like the 1050 then go with it. The 990's are more old school KTM with their abrupt throttle response.

I get the idea the 1050 is detuned slightly from it's potential so it can be detuned even more to make it A2 compliant so the engine isn't particularly stressed and could probably be tweaked by an ex-VW employee if it feels flat after a few years!

In other news, I've been ragging a mate's BMW RnineT today and still have the grin! Twin cylinder bikes are great fun on the roads. cloud9

Chicken Chaser

Original Poster:

7,744 posts

223 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
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moto_traxport said:
If you like the 1050 then go with it. The 990's are more old school KTM with their abrupt throttle response.

I get the idea the 1050 is detuned slightly from it's potential so it can be detuned even more to make it A2 compliant so the engine isn't particularly stressed and could probably be tweaked by an ex-VW employee if it feels flat after a few years!

In other news, I've been ragging a mate's BMW RnineT today and still have the grin! Twin cylinder bikes are great fun on the roads. cloud9
Arent they just! I think the slipper clutch is what makes this bike so easy and compliant to ride. I argue that a 100hp bike is not something that is necessarily learner friendly but with the light slipper clutch, it makes an lc8 tame. If they're going to argue that this one is beginner friendly then they all are up to 1290 as its the use of the rev range which gives them their extra poke.

I'm still thinking how to justify one rather than afford it. £10k is far too much for someone who does less than 4k a year currently