MT09 Tracer or Crossrunner

[nobby c]

Hi,
I have decided to change my BMW F800R and can't decide between a pre reg. MT09 tracer and a 3 year old VFR800 Crossrunner,Any help please.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Some will say the Honda

Some will say the Yamaha

Most will tell you all about the bike they own and the reason you should own one.

[Shadow R1]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Most will tell you all about the bike they own and the reason you should own one.

You could answer every what bike thread with that.

[xeny]

If you're planning to do a lot of miles, the major services on the crossrunner for the VTEC may get a bit financially painful

[nobby c]

Not massive miles as it really is a weekend toy at the moment, forgot to say that I have been riding for 30yrs,various bikes,CBR 600,VFR750,800,Yammy 650,VTR1000.DT etc.
I like the riding position of the F800, but it is a little lacking in torque and the protection is minimal.

[ringsound]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Some will say the Honda

Some will say the Yamaha

Most will tell you all about the bike they own and the reason you should own one.

i used to own the VFR800, not crossrunner
and i do not suggest this bike for others
in this case i would prefer Tracer MT-09 over the VFR

[tjlazer]

Hired a tracer for a weekend around Norfolk, did 600 miles on it. Easy bike to ride, reasonably comfortable (crap screen) but tried to throw me off when I opened it up properly on a fast stretch. Head shake issue is very real. That said, the GT version looks like it might be nice if they have sorted this concern.

[Jazzy Jag]

xeny said:

If you're planning to do a lot of miles, the major services on the crossrunner for the VTEC may get a bit financially painful

I don't think that the VTEC needs any extra servicing.
Oil and filter and occasionally valve clearances, same as every other bike.

[tezzer]

Bought a brand new 900 Tracer last year, very capable bike, but after a diet of 1970's 2 strokes, it just left me cold. Seemed to be completely uninvolving, great at what it did, of course, but no "wonder if I'm going to get home" factor that I have with the old shonkers.........

[2wheelsjimmy]

tjlazer said:

. That said, the GT version looks like it might be nice if they have sorted this concern.

Only an 18L fuel tank, anything with GT in the name needs 24+L tank.

[Andy XRV]

I don’t own either of them but I do know that one of them is for men and the other one is for girls.

[Janluke]

Both bikes seem to have a decent following so I don't think there's a wrong choice.

The Honda 16k service is a bit steep https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=12...

Both have great engines

I think it really is a case of ride them both and pick which one you prefer

[nobby c]

Andy, I am probably being a little numb but which is which in your eyes?

[xeny]

Jazzy Jag said:

I don't think that the VTEC needs any extra servicing.
Oil and filter and occasionally valve clearances, same as every other bike.

The 16,000 mile service to do the valve clearances has a reputation for being particularly expensive on the VTEC VFR and Crossrunner, partly due to access issues, and partly (AIUI) due to special tool requirements.

See

https://www.honda-crossrunner.com/index.php?topic=... for example

[SteelerSE]

I bought the 2015 Crossrunner - I did a write up here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My main reasons for that over the Tracer were:
- Comfort
- Suspension quality
- Build quality
- Accessories

The 2015 CR came with Akro, heated grips, centre stand, topbox and quickshifter. I wanted to add all but the quickshifter to the Tracer and by that stage the price difference was negligible.

I believe that the new Tracer has had the suspension improved so that may be one of the criteria changed but I haven't ridden one.

Have a go on both and see what you think. Just make sure that you bin the standard CR tyres - they are downright dangerous in the wet.

One final thing - the 2015 Crossrunner is MUCH improved over the earlier ones. I would make sure that you are looking at 2015 onwards.

Good luck with whichever one you go for.

[Bob_Defly]

tezzer said:

Bought a brand new 900 Tracer last year, very capable bike, but after a diet of 1970's 2 strokes, it just left me cold. Seemed to be completely uninvolving, great at what it did, of course, but no "wonder if I'm going to get home" factor that I have with the old shonkers.........

I agree character is good in a bike, but why would you want reliability issues?

[moto_traxport]

SteelerSE said:

I bought the 2015 Crossrunner - I did a write up here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My main reasons for that over the Tracer were:
- Comfort
- Suspension quality
- Build quality
- Accessories

The 2015 CR came with Akro, heated grips, centre stand, topbox and quickshifter. I wanted to add all but the quickshifter to the Tracer and by that stage the price difference was negligible.

I believe that the new Tracer has had the suspension improved so that may be one of the criteria changed but I haven't ridden one.

I bought a 900 Tracer new in 2016.

I can well believe the Honda is comfier (I've sat on nicer toolboxes than the Tracer and the expensive comfort seat is no better) and suspension wise the Yamaha was comically rubbish - it actually needs it's ABS because the forks are so poorly controlled and I bought for pootling around on.

In it's favour the Tracer's engine is more interesting than the VFR800 type offering and in my opinion looks far better (but I assume this is one thing you can decide on yourself).

I also loved the genuine fit heated grips optional extra controlled (easily) through the clocks.

If you find it comfy and sort the suspension you might love it. I sold my Tracer after 6 months and annoyingly it's the only bike I've lost money on in 20 years.

[SteelerSE]

Have you had a chance to test ride any bikes OP?

[EvoBarry]

tjlazer said:

Hired a tracer for a weekend around Norfolk, did 600 miles on it. Easy bike to ride, reasonably comfortable (crap screen) but tried to throw me off when I opened it up properly on a fast stretch. Head shake issue is very real. That said, the GT version looks like it might be nice if they have sorted this concern.

They're very reliable, easy to ride at sensible speeds but as with any budget bike they do have issues:

Crap OEM screen
Seat is painful after an hours use
Speed wobble is a thing
Rear shock is not fit for anything other than solo cruising IMO - see above point
Givi rear rack mounting can cause the internal ally casting to fracture if over loaded.

I have a MY17 model btw. ALl that said, the above issues are fixable if you don't mind spending a little on it, and I still feel it has an honesty about how it goes about things. Cheap n cheerful etc.

It's a nice motor too, reasonable midrange, growls nicely, fairly smooth, and I get 55-58mpg without trying too hard, so a real 200mile range if required.