Yamaha Tracer 700

NEW LOOKS

Yamaha's sharpened the Tracer's looks for 2020. And it looks fantastic, don't you think? Sleek and modern, with plenty of the attitude we've come to expect from its MT-07 sibling.

THE MOTOR

Powered by Yamaha's hugely popular 689cc twin cylinder crossplane engine, the Tracer 700 packs a serious punch. It's a properly special bit of kit, and that's mostly down to its 270' crank which fires in an uneven sequence , helping to deliver plenty of smooth, usable power.

POWERTO WEIGHT

Its lightweight tubular frame and aluminium swingarm combine to give the Tracer a compact 1,460mm wheelbase, helping the Tracer 700 stand out as one of the most agile and exciting sport tourers on the market. And it weighs in at only 196kg, too.

ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION

The new Tracer 700 is equipped with 41mm cartridge-type forks at the front, which offer preload and rebound damping adjustment, while the rear is kitted out with a preload and rebound-adjustable shock. It's a hugely positive step from Yamaha, as it's now easy to set the bike up to suit different rider's weights and various riding conditions, to help achieve the best blend of both performance and comfort.

SPORTSSCREEN

The screen's one of the few niggles I found with the Tracer 700. I found that it didn't do all that much to protect me from the elements. That being said, its slim, aerodynamic design complements the rest of the bike perfectly - and it's incredibly simple to adjust its height using just one hand. If you were planning to use the Tracer to take on some high-speed, long-distance motorway miles, I'd opt for the bigger touring screen, but if you're planning to tour on twisties, cut through city traffic or blast b-roads, it's more than up to the job.

RIDING POSITION

The Tracer 700's a seriously comfortable place to be, thanks to its neutral riding position, wide handlebars and new seat design . You could spend all day in the saddle with no trouble. I did and had no complaints.