Yamaha Tracer 900 GT takes on Venice adventure in fine style

KTM’s 790 Duke serves up simple pleasures

Tim Thompson, Head of Content Fast road and trackday rider with a love of sportsbikes and crazy nakeds

Q ‘Do you miss having adjustable suspension?’ Johnny Hinds

AIn a way, it’s liberating, particularly at trackdays. This is an uncluttered motorcycle with a heart of gold and a straightforward attack plan: get on with it; turn the throttle; have fun. Some days, though I do wish its WP suspension was less basic. On my fast, bumpy road to work there’s not enough support at the front or consistent control at the rear. The 790 overreacts to bumps, stands itself up in dips, wiggles its bars if I accelerate hard over a broken surface and occasionally threatens worse.

The 790 does things differently: it has a thorough package of electronics and several classy touches yet its suspension is basic. There is a refreshing plus-point to its non-adjustability, and for most roads it strikes a sweet balance between comfort, stability, grip and feel. But, out in the countryside, where the roads get rougher every year, its performance is limited by that budget-spec WP.

In all other respects it has over-delivered. I am constantly inspired by its fun-loving attitude.

Has anything fallen off Q or broken yet? Ed Willis

ANo, it has been faultless so far with no engine oil used either. A heavily oxidised exhaust recovered its finish after 30 minutes of rubbing with Autosol. One niggle is a strange, mousy-squeak from the drivetrain. Two other 790s I’ve ridden do it, too; lubing the chain quietens it a bit.

Do you feel uncomfortable, Q especially in this heat? Dan Sprowl

AA slightly squidgy seat makes for mild numbing after 150 miles, but the riding position leans you just-so against a 70mph breeze, especially with the bars set in their forward mounts. Barely any engine heat reaches your legs while the LC8c is liquid smooth for a parallel twin. So no real complaints. Mainly I feel poised.

Do you wish it was Q a V-twin? Josh Ash

AThe LC8c is the most flexible, free-revving parallel-twin I’ve ridden. It’s gruff and torquey at low rpm then seems to grow a third cylinder as it spins towards its redline. The fuelling’s abrupt when you pick up a closed throttle and spiky and Euro4-lean on a constant throttle, but you get used to it. It also gives me a constant 60mpg.