Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
Based on an upright naked, with the air of an adventure bike, looks only a mother could love and a silly name. But the Tracer defines the modern do-it-all motorbike
Every time I ride the Tracer it’s just wonderful,’ mutters Langy, addressing nobody in particular while fingering the controls like a kid at Motorcycle Live. ‘The power delivery, sound, handling, comfort… it’s just so good.’ In spring 2015, back when Yamaha’s upright-sports-touring-allrounder was launched, we took three identical examples of the new Tracer 900 on a 440-mile all-roads jolly. The idea was that we’d get wide-reaching opinions from a trio of different riders of varying age, size, taste and preference. It was grand day out and a very pleasant time was had by all. And the Tracer proved fabulous.
Fast forward eight years and a couple of updates, and the 900 is now the Tracer 9 with more cubes, improved handling, a higher base specification and questionable looks. It’s still fabulous. Not because of a standout engine, specific handling trait or exclusive tech feature, but because of how the bike works as a cohesive whole. Yamaha’s triple excels whether dawdling along Bala’s high street, striding across the rolling A470 to Betws-y-coed or deflecting early-morning chill. Especially when in GT form as here, with semi-active bouncy parts, two-way quickshifter, cornering lights, hard panniers (useful for Andy’s array of hair care products) and heated grips. This bike’s also got the accessory heated comfort seat (£422), controlled on the twin TFT screens using the switchgear. Snuggliness assured.
All this loveliness means the Tracer 9 GT is the most expensive bike here at £13,100. But as my sidekick has pointed out, each and every ride is rewarding, enjoyable, nearing perfection – it feels very much a thirteengrand bike. And one that leaves you frothing. ‘I got on the Yamaha for the first time after riding the Triumph, gave it a handful, and enjoyed a comedy moment as my head got flicked back as it charged forward,’ continues Langy. ‘I was like an Ewok on a speeder-bike in Star Wars. It feels so much faster than the others.’ It’s not just having more peak power that gives the Tracer its edge. Maximum torque arrives at similar revs to the twin-cylinder BMW and wannabe-twin Triumph but the triple has a couple of thousands extra revs to play with. It feels long-legged, adaptable, and needs less left-foot action on cascading unknown roads. (It also has smart electronics that know the difference between rear wheel slip and front wheel lift, and so allow subtle wheelies over crests.) And while noise is subjective, we all reckon the 890cc inline three emits the finest racket.
There’s not quite the sense of immovable roadholding that the F900XR supplies, however the Yam is never anything other than surefooted and gives greater confidence than the Tiger. Steering and handling are light, ride quality is great (that’ll be the posh semiactive), and its chassis is the one that feels most nimble at speed. Other things come to light when hopping from one bike to another as well. Ride the Triumph and its controls feel fine, but then you clamber onto the Yamaha and notice how much lighter to use things like the clutch and sidestand are. It has got the most spacious riding position. It’s also smoothest – the engine has plenty of character but its evenly-spaced firing and balance mean the Tracer is the creamiest on straight constant-speed roads such as the North Wales Expressway (the far cooler name for the coastal A55).
It ain’t flawless, mind. The easily-adjusted screen does a grand job of diverting windblast but, depending on your height and its setting, can be annoyingly noisy. More distracting is the twin-screen display. There’s oodles of data, but the information is all too small. The assorted modes and electronic settings are confusing (suspension A-1? Riding D-3?), and scrolling through, adjusting and setting everything with the multi-button switchgear is fiddly. ‘Next to the widescreen BMW the double screens and small digits on the Yamaha feel almost dangerous – you’re looking down and squinting and risk running into the back of something,’ says Andy.
But what’s important to remember is these are just niggles. When we turn towards home after many miles, several castles and excellent food Andy and I agree… the Tracer 9 GT is the best bike here.
‘More cubes, improved handling and questionable looks. It’s still fabulous’