Yamaha Tracer 700: PH2
Yamaha's lightweight sports tourer continues the brand's recent run of form
With the Tracer 700 Yamaha is following a well-trodden path of using the CP2 to make smaller and lighter versions of the CP3 models. The Tracer 900 was launched last year and the Tracer 700 is basically an MT-07 with a half fairing attached. Why the two models? Interestingly, Yamaha's stats show the Tracer 900 (which has sold amazingly well in the UK) is generally being bought by older riders (76 per cent of owners are over 40 years old) and so the Tracer 700 is targeted at the younger crowd. With a price tag of £6,299 it is significantly cheaper than the £8,149 Tracer 900 and it is also lighter and less aggressive thanks to the lovely parallel twin motor. So what are you getting for your money?
Engine-wise the Tracer 700 is identical to the MT-07, so you get the same 75hp and 50lb ft of torque. The frame is also the same and, aside from 50mm extra length in the swingarm, new damping in the forks and a new shock and linkage, so is the majority of the chassis. To help the Tracer fulfill its sports touring brief you get a half-fairing, manually adjustable screen with 64mm of up and down movement, higher bars, a deeply padded seat, more comfortable pegs and a 17-litre fuel tank.
Impressively, Yamaha claims this gives a tank range of nearly 170 miles. Have they missed anything off the list? While there is ABS, there is no traction control, and I'd have liked to see a center stand for easy chain lubing, although sadly the MT's frame design means this isn't possible. Other than that, and considering the price tag, it's hard to moan at the spec. And the ride is even better.
I know the Tracer is called a Tracer, but many riders will be secretly hoping this bike repeats the magic of the superb pre-R6 engined Fazer 600 model. Well it does. In fact, it is even better. What made the old Fazer so good was the fact it just did everything asked of it with total efficiency, something the Tracer 700 also achieves.
For a start the riding position is properly comfortable. It may be a (relatively) small bike, but the Tracer's new bars and seat make it a comfortable place to spend time, even for six-footers like myself. During the test ride we covered over 150 miles and not once did I feel the need to squirm, which is very impressive. The small screen isn't the most effective thing in the world (Yamaha sells a taller aftermarket item), but it does enough to make the Tracer far easer to cover miles on than the naked MT-07 and means the effect of the taller bars pushing you into a more upright stance isn't a pain. Staggeringly, the claimed fuel range actually appears realistic (I was on one bar showing on the gauge after 150 hard miles around hairpins in the Alps rather than constant cruising) and the clutch is lovely and light when it comes to town riding. And then there is the actual ride.
Yamaha has added a bit of length to the Tracer's swingarm and tweaked the suspension to make it more relaxed for touring, but I have to say it actually feels more planted on the road than the MT-07. The naked bike can feel a little twitchy and its soft suspension (especially the shock) very soft when you up the pace, but the Tracer has far less of this. The suspension is still pretty soft (you only get spring preload adjustment on the shock to play with) but in a sports touring context it works brilliantly, delivering a relaxed and comfortable ride that is still fairly sporty if required. And this is all backed up by a very agile chassis.
Tipping the scales at just 196kg ready to rock, the Tracer feels light and agile on the road. It's a very easy bike to get to grips with and is brilliant in bends as well as reassuringly light at low speed. Yamaha has aimed it at newer riders, commuters and those who want a lightweight tourer and it certainly hits this brief. The seat height of 835mm may seem tall on paper, but in reality it isn't as the bike is so narrow. The ABS, which I did have cut in a few times on downhill bumps, is certainly up to the task and the friendly nature of the parallel twin motor makes the Tracer's lack of traction control a redundant issue.
Sensibly, Yamaha hasn't touched the CP2 engine at all on the Tracer and it fits the sports touring brief perfectly. The throttle response is fluid and smooth, the midrange grunty and it will happily sit at 70mph all day with no vibrations and plenty of poke left to give. What more could you ask for?
The Tracer 700 is a perfect example of a thoroughly well thought-out package. The engine and chassis work together perfectly to deliver a lovely lightweight sports tourer and Yamaha has ensured the bike has all the required things, such as a decent tank range, comfortable riding position, fuel gauge and wide range of accessories including panniers to extend its usefulness.
If I had to pick out faults it would be the lack of center stand and slightly ineffective screen (I expect soft suspension on a bike such as this), but I'm clutching at straws here. When you look at the Tracer 700's price tag and consider the outdated or over-priced competition it is impossible to see this bike not becoming a massive seller for Yamaha. If it has sparked your interest, I'd recommend you head down to a dealer pretty quickly as Yamaha UK always seems to annoyingly under-order stock!
What next for the CP2? Spy shots of an adventure bike (XT700?) have been doing the rounds and if this appears for 2017 as expected, that number of 95,000 will soon be even higher.
YAMAHA TRACER 700
Engine: 689cc, parallel twin
Power (hp): 75@9,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 50@6,500rpm
Top speed: 130mph
Weight: 196kg (wet)
MPG: 60 (est)
Price: £6,299
Watch the video here
 |
 |
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff