One month in the life of… Yamaha Tracer 900
The peppy triple is doing its best to seduce the rider
This is my kind of bike. I knew I would like it before I even sat on it. The only question was how much I would like it.
I had ridden the Tracer 700 and the MT-10 Touring Edition, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from the 900. Even so, it was a pleasant surprise.
The good vibes started when I first got my hands on the machine. For a big bike, it was easy to manoeuvre around. It tips the scales at over 200kg, but I have struggled much more with lighter bikes. This was a good start.
Getting comfy on the seat took no time at all. The perch is firm, but sculpted in a fashion that protects you from numb bum syndrome effectively. Wide handlebars are easy to reach, and foot pegs are low enough to make the overall riding position relaxed with a nice tall upright stance. I could sit there for hours, no problem.
The dash is a fairly low-key LCD jobby, but it's easy to read, and gives you all the info you need – except the range.
The power band is wide and the triple engine pulls compliantly from as low as 2k revs. From 4k it starts to get more enthusiastic, and when you go past 6k it really gets its mojo on. The biggest grins are achieved in high revs, but if you're not in the mood, the Tracer pulls merrily from pretty much any engine speed.
Transmission is so smooth that you won't miss a quickshifter. Which is a good job as there isn’t one.
Slow riding on the Tracer is effortless to the extreme. With the combination of silky power delivery, good clutch feel and a mellow rear brake, it's very easy to get the balance of the controls just right, which means that you can inch your way forward in an almost trial style.
The tourer/adventure looks of the Tracer 900 mean that it's easy to forget that it's based on Yamaha's ultra-popular MT-09 naked. However, after just a short ride you are reminded of the bike's lineage with the light and quick steering. It may look like a tour-plodder, but the Tracer has not only a punchy engine, but the agile manners of its show-off naked sibling. The power, agility and comfort come together to make riding this bike easy, enjoyable and engaging. It was a good month!