Decisions, decisions…
Farewell simple, straightforward MT-07; hello Tracer 900GT and a world of options
CHOICE. EVERYONE THINKS they want more but it quickly overwhelms. The problem’s summed up by a philosophical paradox known as ‘Buridan’s Ass’. It says that a donkey placed an equal distance between two identical piles of hay would be so unable to choose between them that it’d starve to death.
There’s a similar contrast between Yamaha’s two most important newfor-2018 models: the fun, frisky MT-07; and the upright, upmarket Tracer 900GT. Both are important enough that RIDE wanted to spend the year living with them, but it’s tricky to ride two bikes at once. So we’re taking turns — and having spent several months getting to grips with the updated MT-07, now it’s time to swap it for a new Tracer GT.
Besides all the obvious differences — the extra cylinder, additional 40bhp, wind protection, comfort and tank range — the Tracer offers an abundance of choice I never had on the MT. The 900GT has a multi-position adjustable screen. Two seat heights. Three throttle maps. Two traction control settings (plus off). Fully adjustable forks. And that’s before we get to the TFT dash.
Here you can define when you want the shift light to come on, how bright you want it to be and whether it lights up or flashes. You can set the point when the scrolling rev counter changes from black to green, and then again from green to orange. You can choose in what order you want eight pieces of trip information to appear on four scrollable screens. You can even customise how hot the heated grips get in their Low, Middle and High modes.
I could ignore it all but I’m a compulsive fiddler, haunted by the anxiety that I might be missing out on something better. As a result, much of my first fortnight with the GT has been spent experimenting. Screen height was decided first: in its tallest position there’s no turbulence, no buffeting, and maximum protection. Job done. Next was the throttle. The default ‘STD’ is too snatchy and unpredictable at low revs, so I prefer the softer ‘B’ mode – ‘A’ is just unpleasantly rampant. Using traction control mode 1 lets more of the Tracer’s energetic, playful character shine through, rather than super-cautious 2.
Seat? It lives in the high position — at 5ft 9in I can’t get both feet flat on the floor but my knackered knee likes the legroom. Suspension? I’ve checked all the adjusters are set to standard, and we’ll tweak from there. Dash? The rev counter now turns orange at peak torque (8500rpm) and the shift light flashes at peak power (10,000rpm). Heated grips? Don’t need them yet but I’ve set Low to the weakest setting (1 of 10) ready for the slightest chill.
I know I’m a Buridan’s Ass — I’ve been overwhelmed by the Tracer’s choices. But now I’m spending the rest of the year with a 900GT that’s optimised and personalised for me. It’s good for the relationship: this Tracer is different to everybody else’s. This one’s mine.
So, what’s it actually like? The engine is an absolute belter: it growls and howls with a rich, sharp-edged coarseness and immediate intent. I was sure I couldn’t use more than the MT-07’S snappy 74bhp in day-to-day riding; the Tracer’s surging 113bhp triple has blasted that idea out the water. Love the GT’S cruise control too, though I’d like it more if it worked in third gear. The quickshifter’s a mixed success – it’s not too slick at part-throttle, mid-rev changes and it lacks the downshifter of KTM’S and BMW’S midrange machines – but it’s nice to have all the same.
Bugbears are few, but look incurable. The Tracer leans way over on its short sidestand and doesn’t feel too solid parked on a slope or gravel. Riding on your toes means heels clatter the longer pillion-peg hangers, which can’t be unbolted from the subframe. And the 167kg payload limit is pathetic for a ‘Grand Tourer’ — I take up 90kg, so it’s a good thing I’ve no plans to take a pillion.
I adored my time with the riotous MT-07. It’s set a mighty high standard for the Tracer as far as raw fun and light-hearted laughs. But the 900GT has bigger ideas and looks further afield. A big trip on a middleweight naked never appealed but the Tracer begs for one. The only question is, where? Wales? Scotland? Yorkshire? Lakes? Europe? So much choice… MARTIN FITZ-GIBBONS