Yamaha's mid-weight sport tourer has evolved steadily over three generations, shifting back and forth between three different model names like a shapeshifter. First came the2015 FJ-09, then the2019 Tracer 900 GT, and now the2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT.
With each iteration, the FJ/Tracer has upped its game, with better performance, richer capabilities, and more features.
Here are our top 10 highlights of the2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT:
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1. The treble!
In a world of parallel twins, v-twins and inline fours, an inline triple marches to another drummer. It produces good low-midrange torque and high-end buzz, and its sound is truly unique. The Tracer 9 GT gets the larger 890cc CP3 (Cross Plane 3 cylinder) triple from theMT-09, which is lighter (by 3.7 pounds), more fuel efficient (by 9%) and more powerful (with 6% more peak torque).
Yamaha's Y-CCT (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) throttle-by-wire setup now uses an APSG (Accelerator Position Sensor Grip) for a smoother connection between the noisy grip and the rear wheel. Fueling issues that plagued the FJ-09 have been largely resolved on the Tracer 900 GT, and the Tracer 9 GT feels even more refined. Increasing the crankshaft inertia by 15% further smoothes the throttle on/off transitions.
Yamaha's D-mode, which adjusts throttle response and power, now has four preset modes: 1 (sharpest response, full power), 2 (standard response, full power), 3 (mild response, full power), and 4 (mildest Reaction). , reduced performance). Mode 1 corresponds to the so-called “Sport” mode on many bikes, which is often overly abrupt, but not on the Tracer 9 GT. Throttle response is immediate without being harsh.
2. Curb weight is still around 500 pounds
Traditional sports tourers like thatYamaha FJR1300,BMW R1250RT, AndKawasaki Concours 14have an empty weight of well over 600 pounds. Yamaha's claimed curb weight (without the saddlebags) is 485 pounds. When we tested that2020 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT, he made 102 hp at the rear wheel. With a displacement of 43 cc, the Tracer 9 GT probably produces 105-107 hp at the rear wheel.
The Tracer 9 GT may lack the top-end rush of an open-class sport tourer, but their lighter weight makes them more responsive and agile. A new controlled-fill die-cast aluminum frame is lighter and has 50% more lateral stiffness, further improving steering response.
3. It has the seating position of an ADV but the handling of a sport tourer
Greg's gear:
Helm: Skorpion EXO-R1 Air
Jacket: ScorpioOptimal
Gloves:Scorpion Chaos
Hose:Scorpion Covert Pro-Jeans
Stiefel: SidiGavia Gore-Tex
The Tracer 9 GT has an upright riding position more akin to an adventure tourer than the sportier ergonomics of many sport tourers. The ability to sit upright with no weight on the rider's wrists, relaxed shoulders and plenty of leg room makes mileage enjoyable, and that's what a sport tourer is all about. The windshield, which can be adjusted with one hand, and the hand protectors also offer good wind protection.
Unlike ADV bikes, the Tracer 9 GT has no off-road claims. It rolls on 17-inch wheels shod with excellent Bridgestone Battlax T32 GT Sport-Touring tires. Yamaha developed a new process called "spinforging" to create the 10-spoke aluminum wheels, which shaves 1.5 pounds of unsprung weight and contributes to the Tracer 9 GT's agile handling.
4. The new semi-active suspension provides a magic carpet ride
Semi-active suspension, in which sensors on the fork, shock and other locations on the bike provide input to a suspension controller that adjusts damping in real time, has been around for a while. On the Tracer 9 GT, the KYB Actimatic Damping System (KADS) electronically adjusts compression and rebound damping in the fork and rebound damping in the rear shock, and there are two suspension modes: A-1 (Sport) and A-2 (Comfort). ). Spring preload must be adjusted manually using a fork tool (included in tool kit) and a shock remote knob.
With 5.1/5.3 inches of front/rear travel, the Tracer 9 GT has plenty of travel available to absorb bumps, seams, potholes and other bumps in the road. Adapting to changing conditions, the KADS suspension provides a supple, forgiving ride, quickly tightening when needed to prevent excessive chassis pitch under braking and acceleration. This keeps the tires in contact with the ground and further contributes to the Tracer 9 GT's sure-footed handling.
5. Its R1-derived IMU-enabled electronics are high-tech
The Tracer 900 GT featured throttle-by-wire, multiple modes to adjust throttle response and power, multi-mode traction control and ABS. In addition to its new semi-active suspension, the Tracer 9 GT features a more comprehensive suite of electronic rider aids derived from the YZF-R1 sports machine. Data from a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) informs traction control, slide control, lift control and ABS, with intervention adjusted for lean angle and other inputs. All of the electronics have multiple modes, and the only system that can't be turned off is ABS, or Brake Control System (BC) in Yamaha's parlance.
The IMU also provides input for new LED cornering lights that illuminate the inside of the corner when the bank angle exceeds 7 degrees.
6. It has cruise control, heated grips and a quickshifter
These features were standard on the Tracer 900 GT and all are appreciated. The cruise control works at speeds above 50 km/h in 4th, 5th and 6th gear and the set speed can be increased in steps of 1 km/h (with a short press) or continuously (with a long press). In addition to upshifting, the Quickshifter now offers clutchless downshifting with an automatic blipper. And the heated grips now offer 10 adjustment levels.
The Tracer 9 GT features full LED lighting, a 12-volt power outlet behind the instrument panel, and a center stand that aids in chain and tire maintenance and saddlebag loading and unloading. At Yamaha's claimed 49mpg, its 5-gallon tank should give it a range of nearly 250 miles.
7. Larger saddlebags will hold a full face helmet on each side
The Tracer 900 GT saddlebags held 22 liters each. Larger saddlebags on the Tracer 9 GT hold 30 liters each, which is big enough for a full-face helmet. Pockets can be left unlocked for convenient access, locked for security, or removed to carry to a hotel room or to lighten the load for apex strafing. The lock cylinders can be a bit fiddly (which has long been a problem with Yamaha luggage), but with practice they work well.
Yamaha also beefed up the subframe to allow an accessory top case (39 or 50 liters) to be fitted with the saddlebags, rather than the either-or setup on the previous model.
8. I see double
Yamaha has given the Tracer 9 GT a unique dual-panel TFT display, with each screen measuring 3.5 inches. The speedometer, tachometer, gear indicator and other functions are on the left side. The right panel has a grid of four smaller displays that can be adjusted to show the driver's preferred information, although the information is also shown on the left panel.
The mostly white-on-black text is crisp and clear, but some of the text is small. The TFT panels have a glossy surface that reflects sunlight and can make the screens appear too dark (brightness cannot be adjusted). Depending on the position of the sun, I could sometimes only see the reflection of my riding jacket.
9. Driver and passenger comfort are improved
Yamaha has upgraded the driver's seat with higher quality upholstery material and color-coordinated stitching. The double-height driver's seat can be adjusted to 31.9 or 32.5 inches. To accommodate riders with different body types or preferences, the handlebars and footpegs can be adjusted. By rotating the handlebar riser clamps, the handlebars can be moved up 4mm and forward 9mm, and the footpeg mounts can be moved up 14mm and backward 4mm. The passenger seat is now thicker and wider, and there's a new integrated one-piece grab handle.
10. It costs more, but it's worth it
The Tracer 9 GT's many upgrades have pushed the price up to $14,899, which is $1,900 more than last year's Tracer 900 GT. For those who do cross-shopping, BMW’s F 900 XR (with Select and Premium packages but no saddlebags) is $15,045 and Kawasaki’s Versys 1000 SE LT+ is $18,199. More expensive, yes, but still reasonably priced and no key features have been omitted from the spec sheet. And the price is the same in both colors, Liquid Metal with blue wheels or Redline with black wheels.
We'll be releasing our full review soon, so stay tuned! Scroll down for more photos….
2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Specs
Basic price:14.899 $
Website: www.yamahamotorsports.com
Engine type:Liquid-cooled, transverse inline triple, DOHC with 4 valves per cyl.
Shift:890 ccm
bore x stroke:78,0 mm x 62,1 mm
Transmission:6 speed, cable operated slipper/assist wet clutch
Achsantrieb:Chain
Wheelbase:59.1 inches
Rake/track:25 degrees / 4.3 inches
seat height:31.9/32.5 inches
wet weight:485 pounds. (claimed, does not contain side cases)
Fuel Capacity:5.0 gallons.
FAQs
What is the range of a Tracer 9gt? ›
Over the course of nearly 6,300 miles, we averaged 44.4 mpg, which yields 222 miles from the 5-gallon tank (premium unleaded is required). Our fuel economy ranged from as high as 60.4 mpg to as low as 33.7 mpg, the latter after giving it the whip in a serious headwind.
What is the difference between Tracer 900 and Tracer 9gt? ›The Tracer 900 GT has higher-spec suspension again, with adjustable compression damping on top. The Yamaha Tracer 9 (base model) also has the same suspension as the base model 900, it seems, with adjustable rebound damping only. But the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT goes a lot further with semi-active suspension.
How many miles per gallon does a Yamaha Tracer 900 GT get? ›During this test, we averaged 48.7 mpg, up from 44 mpg on the Tracer 900 GT. Fuel capacity increased slightly to 5 gallons on the Tracer 9 GT, and our estimated range was 243 miles, up from 211 miles on the previous model.
How many MPG does a Tracer 9gt get? ›Based on data from 9 vehicles, 285 fuel-ups and 48,376 miles of driving, the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT gets a combined Avg MPG of 46.04 with a 1.20 MPG margin of error.
How many MPG does a Yamaha Tracer 9 get? ›The combustion efficiency results in an impressive 9% improvement as well as an increased fuel efficiency to 49 MPG. To achieve both sporty performance and excellent riding comfort, the new Tracer 9 GT adopts a newly developed lightweight aluminum frame with model-specific tuning.
How much horsepower does a Tracer 9gt have? ›The EU5-compliant 889 cc CP3 engine lays down a powerful 115 horsepower and 69 lb-ft of torque. The side-cases come included, as does a standard quick shifter, LED cornering lights, heated grips, and even semi-active suspension.