RE: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer: PH2 Review
Discussion
Tribal Chestnut said:
jaf01uk said:
I bought one, just returned to bikes after ages away but it is fantastic in all areas as far as I am concerned, I never considered a sports bike and as such this is ideal, loads of grunt, mischief with TC off if the mood takes you and very comfy, mine had 650 miles on and the 1st owner had changed to Michelin Pilot tyres so can't comment on the standard tyres but these way outgrip my novice ability, overall very pleased with it, I also considered the BMW S1000r and xr but the insurance was a killer for me...
Gary
How do you find it for cruising at speeds of 70/80/90+? The one big negative I read in a review was some instability once travelling in excess of the NSL, not much good for touring abroad if that's the case. Gary
I test rode a Tracer yesterday straight after riding an MT09 at the Yamaha MT tour event at Box hill, only for 30 minutes but gave me a idea what it's like.
I can now see the attraction of bikes like these, the S1000XR, Multistrada, etc. Dead comfy, easy for me to flat foot at 6ft 4, didn't feel big at all. I'd need a bigger screen but you could easily rattle off the motorway miles and then still have some (a lot of!) fun when you get to the twisty roads, it handled just as good as the MT09. Felt light and flickable through the turns and when moving it around. The throttle was slightly better on this vs the MT09, but still not perfect. Maybe coming from a carbed bike means an injected and fly by wire bike will need some getting used too, but again it ruined the whole bike for me a little, the rest of it was fantastic though - the suspension felt better damped and more firm at the from end, but that throttle would make me have second thoughts.
Put it this way, I can now see myself buying something like a 2010 Multistrada as a single do-it-all bike for commuting, weekend blasts around Kent and Sussex (and beyond) and longer European/UK touring.
I can now see the attraction of bikes like these, the S1000XR, Multistrada, etc. Dead comfy, easy for me to flat foot at 6ft 4, didn't feel big at all. I'd need a bigger screen but you could easily rattle off the motorway miles and then still have some (a lot of!) fun when you get to the twisty roads, it handled just as good as the MT09. Felt light and flickable through the turns and when moving it around. The throttle was slightly better on this vs the MT09, but still not perfect. Maybe coming from a carbed bike means an injected and fly by wire bike will need some getting used too, but again it ruined the whole bike for me a little, the rest of it was fantastic though - the suspension felt better damped and more firm at the from end, but that throttle would make me have second thoughts.
Put it this way, I can now see myself buying something like a 2010 Multistrada as a single do-it-all bike for commuting, weekend blasts around Kent and Sussex (and beyond) and longer European/UK touring.
Renn Sport said:
8 grand it isn't the bargain I thought it would be. Thats still a lot of money in my opinion.
It is when the more budget competitor Versys 650 is 7k with no traction control and a smaller engine, and the more upmarket bigger bikes S1000xr/ktmadv/multi are all 15k+.It's blog on for what it is, and not that short on performance compared to the bigger bikes.
I test road one and while I loved it to ride was put off by the cheapness of some of the plastics and the flappy screen and wind noise.
Glade said:
Has anyone bought a Tracer, or test ridden one?
I went on a 5 day tour of Ireland on my SV650S recently and it wasn't the right bike for the job. I'd like to head off into Europe, but want a more comfortable bike.
I've had the Sv 8 years, was my first bike feels like time for a change. I had always wanted a superduke, but don't fancy long trips on one.
So the reviews of the tracer are all positive and it's affordable... But if I change bikes I'll keep it for another 8 years.
I've been for a look at the S1000XR and the specs are very sexy... But my first impression was that it is a big bike... Might be fine on the move but slightly intimidating.
I guess the question is... Would the Tracer be "enough"... Exciting enough for the foreseeable future.
Sv650 - 70bhp, Tracer 115bhp fairly significant increase... S1000XR 160! >2x!!!
Ive got one - Love it I went on a 5 day tour of Ireland on my SV650S recently and it wasn't the right bike for the job. I'd like to head off into Europe, but want a more comfortable bike.
I've had the Sv 8 years, was my first bike feels like time for a change. I had always wanted a superduke, but don't fancy long trips on one.
So the reviews of the tracer are all positive and it's affordable... But if I change bikes I'll keep it for another 8 years.
I've been for a look at the S1000XR and the specs are very sexy... But my first impression was that it is a big bike... Might be fine on the move but slightly intimidating.
I guess the question is... Would the Tracer be "enough"... Exciting enough for the foreseeable future.
Sv650 - 70bhp, Tracer 115bhp fairly significant increase... S1000XR 160! >2x!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Agree the screen is not the best but I have mine in the lowest position so my head is still in clean air, and its great at cruising a 80+
There are bits to sort the snatchy throttle on the forums and now it is fine. I am 800 miles in now and it is not a problem.
Planning on doing a 10 day Euro trip at the end of the summer and have just bought some full hard luggage from Shad. The only other bits I have done is an R&G hugger and front fender extender to try and keep it in nice condition, and an R&G tail tidy
Next on the list is an Arrow exhaust. The engine is fantastic!
jackh707 said:
Renn Sport said:
8 grand it isn't the bargain I thought it would be. Thats still a lot of money in my opinion.
It is when the more budget competitor Versys 650 is 7k with no traction control and a smaller engine, and the more upmarket bigger bikes S1000xr/ktmadv/multi are all 15k+.It's blog on for what it is, and not that short on performance compared to the bigger bikes.
I test road one and while I loved it to ride was put off by the cheapness of some of the plastics and the flappy screen and wind noise.
Still I had a sit on one a couple of months back at Yamaha in Hammersmith. I thought it was priced at £7500? I thought is sounded a very nice bit of kit for that. I must have my wires crossed.
I had a demo one for Saturday pm till Monday morning, I'm looking for a replacement for my CB1300 and have already sold my VFR1200. Essentially I'm looking for something fun that does touring.
It's a blast.
I didn't find any instability at fairly high speed it's quite comfortable but I'd want a better seat.
Wind protection is ok but mot amazing, I got quite a bit of turbulence off the screen but it kept the wind blast off my body.
Handling is great, it's a light chuckable bike with enough power to lift the wheel over crests.
Overall I'm amazed. I didn't expect to like it, and have been comparing it to bikes costing £4k more.
When I got back on the Cb1300 it felt bloody heavy!
The only downsides for me were the revvy nature of the engine (I prefer fairly lazy power) and the seat. I think the turbulence could be solved with a better screen. I'm going to go for something bigger and more relaxed, but I have lingering doubts about my choice.
I think its quite telling that the demo has 4500 miles on it and looks like its never been washed! They're down to only being able to get the silver/blue bikes as the other colours have sold out.
It's a blast.
I didn't find any instability at fairly high speed it's quite comfortable but I'd want a better seat.
Wind protection is ok but mot amazing, I got quite a bit of turbulence off the screen but it kept the wind blast off my body.
Handling is great, it's a light chuckable bike with enough power to lift the wheel over crests.
Overall I'm amazed. I didn't expect to like it, and have been comparing it to bikes costing £4k more.
When I got back on the Cb1300 it felt bloody heavy!
The only downsides for me were the revvy nature of the engine (I prefer fairly lazy power) and the seat. I think the turbulence could be solved with a better screen. I'm going to go for something bigger and more relaxed, but I have lingering doubts about my choice.
I think its quite telling that the demo has 4500 miles on it and looks like its never been washed! They're down to only being able to get the silver/blue bikes as the other colours have sold out.
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