700 Tracer...how exciting?

[7w7]

I bought a Versys 650 as an emergency purchase last year, sold it after 6 months as it was so dull.

On paper the 700 tracer is quite similar, but has a much fruitier engine and is obviously much lighter, so should be a lot more fun. The 900 is another option but its fatter and heavier.

Has anyone ridden both?

Yes I need to test ride one.

[pessimal]

very exciting when you get the insurance quote!

Try a tiger 800, cheaper on the insurance for me, and its a quicker bike!

[J B L]

I had one as a loaner when my Tracer 900 was in for a service. "quick ish sewing machine" is the lasting impression I have of it. Characterless and cheap in many places.

I eventually got bored of the Tracer 900 too, mind.

Tiger 800 recommended here seems a good shout

[tezzer]

Can't comment on the 07, but bought an MT09Tracer new a8 months ago. I kept it 4 months, if that, as it just didn't involve me.

Best way to describe it was "like riding a washing machine". Push the button, go through the cycle and get your load out.

Perfectly capable, but lacking "soul".

[7w7]

tezzer said:

Can't comment on the 07, but bought an MT09Tracer new a8 months ago. I kept it 4 months, if that, as it just didn't involve me.

Best way to describe it was "like riding a washing machine". Push the button, go through the cycle and get your load out.

Perfectly capable, but lacking "soul".

That's exactly how I would describe the Versys as well.

[7w7]

Insurance for the Tiger is higher for me, but they are both pretty reasonable.

I didn't consider it, I'm slightly put off by the weight, but it is significantly more powerful I suppose. How is the engine?

[J B L]

tezzer said:

Can't comment on the 07, but bought an MT09Tracer new a8 months ago. I kept it 4 months, if that, as it just didn't involve me.

Best way to describe it was "like riding a washing machine". Push the button, go through the cycle and get your load out.

Perfectly capable, but lacking "soul".

I kept my 900 Tracer for a bit more than a year as I was commuting on it.

My best excuse for getting rid of it was "It's so perfect it's boring".

Odd.

[CousinDupree]

7w7 said:

Insurance for the Tiger is higher for me, but they are both pretty reasonable.

I didn't consider it, I'm slightly put off by the weight, but it is significantly more powerful I suppose. How is the engine?

Really dull. The only triple I've found that has zero character. Some people have put street triple cams, rev limit and a custom manifold to get the life back into them. Too much hassle.

[Kizmiaz]

Dull as hell. Had the Versys as a company bike and the best you can say is it always started. The Tracer is cut from the same cloth.
On paper the trumpet will be the better ride but it is like comparing different shades of magnolia.

[ozzuk]

I had a tracer 700 til it was stolen, fun bike, not very fast. I replaced her with a Mt09, and it is in a different league. Considerably faster, better engine tone, clutchless shift, different modes for power, much, much better handling - feels very nimble, upgraded levers, just all round better.

Downsides, tiny petrol tank, worse on petrol, tiny screen so lots of wind pushback (looking at options for this), much more expensive to insure.

I'd never go back to a 700 after this.

On the weight, its only 20lbs different, but the better suspension, handling and power makes it feel lighter than the tracer 700.

Just to add, I struggled to get the tracer to 100, stopping the Mt09 doing a 100 was the new issue!

Edited by ozzuk on Thursday 7th February 13:02

Edited by ozzuk on Thursday 7th February 13:03

[7w7]

Oh dear

Might need to broaden my search....

I have an awkward set of criteria:

-Needs to be reasonably light
-OK for occasional long pillion rides
-Fun engine
-Not too bad on fuel as it's also used for commuting 80 miles a day

[EvoBarry]

7w7 said:

Oh dear

Might need to broaden my search....

I have an awkward set of criteria:

-Needs to be reasonably light
-OK for occasional long pillion rides
-Fun engine
-Not too bad on fuel as it's also used for commuting 80 miles a day

I have MY17 Tracer900:

It's a light bike for its capacity, certainly feels light on the move.
Fine for occasional pillion use (MY18 onward is better suspended btw)
It is a fun engine if you want it to be, or it can potter about all day happily. A very good real world unit IMHO.
Mine claims 66mpg on the dash, and allowing for 10/15% inaccuracy that's still decent for an 850. It'll do two days commuting with plenty spare, in your case.

Latest model has heated grips, cruise, QS (up only) and side cases (GT model) And narrower bars than previous models, which helps filtering no end.

Try one, you might find it suits you well. If its a dry day put it in A mode and tell me it's not "fun"..

[7w7]

EvoBarry said:

I have MY17 Tracer900:

It's a light bike for its capacity, certainly feels light on the move.
Fine for occasional pillion use (MY18 onward is better suspended btw)
It is a fun engine if you want it to be, or it can potter about all day happily. A very good real world unit IMHO.
Mine claims 66mpg on the dash, and allowing for 10/15% inaccuracy that's still decent for an 850. It'll do two days commuting with plenty spare, in your case.

Latest model has heated grips, cruise, QS (up only) and side cases (GT model) And narrower bars than previous models, which helps filtering no end.

Try one, you might find it suits you well. If its a dry day put it in A mode and tell me it's not "fun"..

Thanks for the info!

[moto_traxport]

7w7 said:

Oh dear

Might need to broaden my search....

I have an awkward set of criteria:

-Needs to be reasonably light
-OK for occasional long pillion rides
-Fun engine
-Not too bad on fuel as it's also used for commuting 80 miles a day

Another one here who bought a Tracer 900 new and sold it after 4 months! Engine was nice enough but comfort and suspension were abysmal.

It’s not just me being glazed over after too many litre sportsbikes as I’ve ridden an early carby SV650 and found it great fun.

I’ve got a holiday end of this month in Gran Canaria (Yaaaaay!!) and I’ve hired a Tracer 700 for a few days with the wife on pillion so I’ll let you know.

[J B L]

7w7 said:

Oh dear

Might need to broaden my search....

I have an awkward set of criteria:

-Needs to be reasonably light
-OK for occasional long pillion rides
-Fun engine
-Not too bad on fuel as it's also used for commuting 80 miles a day

Budget?
Does it need to be upright?


Ducati Multi 950
(never tried one, but I think they look nice)

Triumph 1050 Excellent bike, fun engine. Might be on the heavy side.

[CousinDupree]

Coming back to the Tiger 800 idea, look here:

https://www.tiger800.co.uk/index.php/topic,3167.0....

You could get one, run it until the big 12k service and get them to chuck in street triple cams, as they have to come out anyway if adjustment is needed.

TuneECU is free and all you need to put that map on (earlier modes anyway). A louder can and a 12k rev limit should wake up the lazy boy

I think I would just get a stter with much better mpg for an 80 mile commute, something like an NC750. Also an early street triple with the shorter first gear and an arrow lowboy. More fun than the later ones.

[EvoBarry]

moto_traxport said:

Another one here who bought a Tracer 900 new and sold it after 4 months! Engine was nice enough but comfort and suspension were abysmal.

It’s not just me being glazed over after too many litre sportsbikes as I’ve ridden an early carby SV650 and found it great fun.

I'll readily admit the suspension on the Tracer900 is disgraceful, most owners upgrade the rear shock at the very least (I'm toying with that or just changing the bike in spring anyway). Seat comfort isn't great but I've ridden much worse.
It's fine for general sensible riding, the soft spring and poor damping are manageable, but if you push it hard it quickly gets in knots, pushing the front, struggling to control the rear etc. It can be "fun" managing that to be honest, if you've ridden older bikes you'll know the feeling well.

[7w7]

J B L said:

Budget?
Does it need to be upright?


Ducati Multi 950
(never tried one, but I think they look nice)

Triumph 1050 Excellent bike, fun engine. Might be on the heavy side.

The Multistrada looks great, but yeah my budget is around 5k, +/- a bit so not an option.

The 1050 Sport is a good shout.

[7w7]

CousinDupree said:

Coming back to the Tiger 800 idea, look here:

https://www.tiger800.co.uk/index.php/topic,3167.0....

You could get one, run it until the big 12k service and get them to chuck in street triple cams, as they have to come out anyway if adjustment is needed.

TuneECU is free and all you need to put that map on (earlier modes anyway). A louder can and a 12k rev limit should wake up the lazy boy

I think I would just get a stter with much better mpg for an 80 mile commute, something like an NC750. Also an early street triple with the shorter first gear and an arrow lowboy. More fun than the later ones.

Thanks, there is some good information on that page.

I'm not too fussed about mpg, as long it's above 50 mpg. I couldn't bring myself to get an NC750, I had one as a courtesy bike for a month and aged about 5 years.

[7w7]

I'm thinking an F800R could be a good compromise.