Reader rates his Tracer 700
When you work in the motorcycle trade, riding your own bikes can take a bit of a back seat. This is exactly what happened to MCN reader Nigel Cartwright, whose profession as a top technician for Yamaha dealership Alf England Motorcycles means he gets to take his pick of demonstrators. However, it was during one such demo ride that Nigel realised just what he’d been missing. “I’d given up riding on the road about five years ago,” says Nigel. “Due to modifications, my R1 was getting so track focused that it was frustrating to ride on the road.
I knew I could borrow bikes if I wanted to ride, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make. But early last year we had an open weekend for the new MT range. The weather was atrocious and I was leading the ride on the new Tracer 700 when two things struck me: firstly just how good the bike was in the appalling weather and secondly how it offered me everything I wanted from a road bike.”
Nigel got a good deal on his own Tracer 700, complete with touring kit. He said: “It’s the only new bike I’ve ever bought, as my R1 was a prize from Yamaha for winning a mechanics competition in 2005, but I’m so glad I took the plunge. Although I bought this Tracer with my head, my heart still very much enjoys it. I’m back in love with road riding again.”
0 miles
The first glimpse of my brand new bike came when I took it out of the crate. Not many new owners get to do that. Because it arrived late in the afternoon I only had time to put the numberplate on, connect the battery, add fuel and pump the tyres up. My first test ride was literally my commute home. Right away I was reminded of the good choice I’d made.
300 miles
A condition of the mega deal that I got from work when I bought the bike meant that I had to do the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) in my own time. It took a while, simply because I had to fit it in between tasks at home such as laying a patio. But anyway, I was finally able to finish it, so took both wheels out then performed a laser alignment check before introducing the bike to the Yamaha diagnostic system.
600 miles
Due to the fact that the PDI was so thorough, the first service was literally just the engine oil and filter and I managed to do it during my lunch break. I also added a few essential extras such as the Oxford heated grips (£79.99) because I’m riding all-year round. I also opted for an R&G radiator guard (£56.99), all-round R&G crash protection, front and rear mudguard extenders (£24.16) and an R&G Shocktube (£22.08). I added these because they’ll prevent damage to the shock and radiator caused by stones.
800 miles
Before I bought the Tracer, I’d been commuting in my Mercedes Vito van, which is a lovely thing to drive and own but it’s not frugal; I’d be lucky if it was getting 20mpg. But the Tracer does a realworld 60mpg and I was slicing 20 minutes off each leg of my journey to and from work, enjoying myself more in the process. I fill the Tracer up every 200 miles and the fuel light comes on at about 160 miles.
1500 miles
When the MT-07 (the bike the Tracer was based on) first came out some commented that the rear shock was a bit soft, but it seems that Yamaha have somewhat over-compensated with the Tracer. I never got round to measuring the sag but the suspension didn’t feel like it had any. Dropping the rear preload to minimum makes it a lot better.
2500 miles
It requires very little maintenance. I only wash it every couple of weeks, and clean and lube the chain at the same time. The chain requires very little adjustment, I think that’s probably down to the fact that I laser aligned the wheels when I first got it. Before I rode it into winter I gave it a liberal dose of ACF50 and it seems to have done the trick; everything’s still looking perfect.
3500 miles
The right-hand switchgear was starting to stick so I got it replaced under warranty. I also replaced the headlamp bulbs because one of them blew. I put a set of Osram Night Breaker bulbs (£13.99) in, because they were on offer at Euro Car Parts, and they’ve been really good; much brighter than standard, so great for winter commuting.
4500 miles
I’ve still not got round to fitting the rest of the touring pack that the bike came with; the panniers and fitting kit and I don’t know whether to sell them or whether I’ll get the urge to go on a touring holiday with them at some point this summer. I also quite fancy having a go at Dirtquake… but maybe the bike’s a little bit too new to subject it to that!
‘It does 200 miles to a tankful every time’