‘The Yamaha feels lighter and even easier to manage’
‘With heated grips, I don’t need extras’
James Enderby
Age 48
Height 6ft
Been riding 6 years
Bike Yamaha Tracer 700
Dream bike: No idea!
I bought my Tracer 700 because my Suzuki 600 Bandit was proving unreliable for my commute. The Tracer 700 was good value, light for traffic filtering and has plenty of go. I preferred the Yamaha’s looks and I mainly use the bike for a 56-mile round commute. I’ve not done any touring or weekends away but hope to next year. I looked at the GT, but it has the same tank capacity and I’ve fitted luggage, so all I’d gain is a larger screen. If I had a new GT it would be clean for a week, but then would soon look weathered. I’ll stick to the Tracer; with heated grips I don’t need anything extra. indicator and a digital speedo are simple and effective. There are no electronic riding modes, rider aids or gadgets to get used to, meaning I don’t need to read the owner’s manual before pressing the starter button. I spend 20 seconds positioning the manually adjustable screen, then jump on, tap it into first gear and pull away. Sometimes simplicity works.
As we leave Oundle the punchy eight-valve twin responds willingly to my input. It’s happy to grunt through its midrange, feeling tractable and strong, but doesn’t mind being revved either. Sharp overtakes require a tap or two on the gear lever, but the power is there. In fact, as we pulled into the Super Sausage café car park on the A5 after our first stint, I wondered why on earth you would want anymore than the Versys, especially in these tricky wintry conditions.
From the A5 to Silverstone, then onto the M40 and finally to Stratford-Upon-Avon, I’m still enjoying the Versys, even admiring its handsome reflections in the dimly lit shops of Stratford. But at coffee stop number two, co-tester Bruce wants to swap.
I thought it might take a while to feel the difference, but it’s as obvious as Cher’s plastic surgery (she is 72 you know). Immediately the Tracer feels smoother and more refined with much improved fuelling. I didn’t think the throttle response at low rpm was at all bad on the Kawasaki, but that was until I rode the Yamaha. On the Tracer the low speed response is nine out of ten, whereas now the Kawa feels like a seven. Around the busy city streets crammed with Christmas shoppers, the Yamaha feels lighter and even easier to manage. On paper there is around 20kg between the two bikes, and it’s instantly noticeable. Kawasaki have tried to disguise the Versys’s weight by giving it wide bars and running a narrower 160-section rear tyre, as opposed to the 180 section on the Yamaha, which should
‘We both prefer the overall set up of the Kawasaki’
encourage it to turn easier, but there’s no hiding the fact the aging Kawasaki is a heavier bike.
The Tracer only has 40cc more capacity, which equates to only
5bhp and 3ftlb extra torque, but on the road it feels more. There’s considerably more punch from the Yam, it pulls harder and cleaner through the midrange, whereas on the Kawasaki I was constantly downshifting in the hunt for power. On the Tracer it’s right there, which makes the Yamaha more fun and more eager. After blasting up the Fish Hill I reverted to the Kawasaki which, despite all I’ve said in its defence, felt a little dated; like someone had taken the wind out its sails. But it’s not all bad news for the 650 Versys, far from it. Both Bruce and I preferred the overall set-up of the Kawasaki, especially its quality suspension which has more control than the Yamaha’s. The front forks are adjustable and the side-mounted, single rear shock has an easy-toaccess remote preload adjuster, perfect for when you’re hauling fully loaded panniers or a pillion. Yamaha, meanwhile, have let the Tracer down with its suspension, which lacks the damping control of the Kawasaki, especially on the rebound stroke. Throw in some harsh bumps and it’s bad enough to jolt you out of the seat. The front suspension isn’t adjustable, and although the rear is you need the correct tools, and it’s a pain to get to. It’s a shame about the handling as the Yamaha comes on excellent Michelin Pilot Road rubber, far better than the Dunlop Sportmax D222 on the Kawasaki. The Yamaha even has better brakes, but the overall ride is not as good as the Kawasaki.