2017 Yamaha MT-07 Tracer launch review

Yamaha is taking a punt with its new MT-07 Tracer. It's betting there's pent-up demand in an as yet unexplored market niche – for a lightweight, budget-priced learner-friendly sportstourer.

Whether or not its judgement is on the mark remains to be seen, but it has certainly produced a worthy contender in its MT-07 Tracer.

The name itself speaks volumes for the model's genesis. Based on the sales-hit MT-07LA, it's also following in the wheel tracks of the MT-09 Tracer, in that the addition of a screen, panniers and a few other changes gives the naked bike on which it's based a whole new twist.

Many might question Yamaha's decision to base the MT-07 Tracer on the LAMS version of the MT-07 instead of the HO (High Output) version, and rightly so. Yamaha Motor Australia says it's the LAMS market that's hot right now, so that's why it went with a LAMS-friendly Tracer model. And while it's remaining tight-lipped regarding any appearance of a full-power MT-07 Tracer, it's not hard to connect the dots and think that such a bike is likely possibility. Watch this space…

Yamaha says it sees four types of buyer for the MT-07 Tracer: entry-level tourers aged from 25 to 35; step-down tourers aged 40 to 60 who want a lighter bike; those aged from 18 to 45 who want a versatile, do-the-lot bike; and those stepping up from a smaller LAMS bike.

Sibling rivalry
The national press launch for the MT-07 Tracer saw Sydney-based journos ride the model from YMA's western Sydney HQ to the Hunter Valley, and Melbourne and NZ-based journos ride the fleet back. This scribe falls into the latter category and I’m glad I did, as the Sydney riders were hammered by the tail end of the fallout from Cyclone Debbie. My southern and Kiwi colleagues and I, on the other hand, enjoyed nothing but sunshine as we scythed along the renowned Putty Road.

While the latest addition to Yamaha's range adopts the same engine and chassis as the MT-07LA, it also sports several notable differences. In addition to the front fairing and screen, the Tracer also gets a 17-litre fuel tank (up three litres), 'semi-soft' panniers (more on that later), revised suspension settings, a 50mm longer swingarm and different handlebars and risers.

As a result the Tracer has a longer 1450mm wheelbase for additional stability, and a higher wet weight – 196kg for the Tracer, versus 182kg for the naked bike.

The Tracer also has a higher seat height (835mm versus 805mm) and more rear suspension travel (142mm versus 130mm).

Easy handling
Setting out from Pokolbin, it takes no time to feel comfortable and familiar with the Tracer. It's easy to get a foot down (or feet down, in the case of this 188cm reviewer) because the seat height is modest and the seat itself is narrow near the tank.

The 655cc parallel-twin fires up with an inoffensive burble, the six-speed transmission clicks into first with precision and the cable clutch is light and very progressive in its take-up.

The ride position, too, is perfect for novice riders – or any riders, for that matter. You sit upright, with just a slight forward incline as you reach for the higher-set handlebars.

The fuelling hides no surprises and there's plenty of low-down and mid-range grunt. It takes a few revs to get things going but the flywheel must be reasonably beefy – in any case there's no issue with accidentally stalling the thing on the line.

The engine spins willingly up to 11,000rpm, at which point a soft-action rev-limiter calls a halt to proceedings. There's little to reason to rev it to its ceiling anyway; keep it on the boil in its chunky mid-range and the Tracer will reward you with fast and efficient progress.

Speaking of fast, the Tracer really can get along at a decent clip – word on the grapevine is it can top out at around 170km/h, given a long enough straight (on a closed race track, of course!).

Accessories range
The front fairing and screen look fairly diminutive but they do a good job of piercing the wind's blast. The screen is manually adjustable too, and there's a larger screen available as a factory accessory.

The larger screen was fitted to another Tracer on the launch that was decked out with all manner of factory goodies, including chunky Continental TKC80 rubbers, a deep and soulful Akrapovic pipe, crash protectors, crash bars, driving lights and more. There's a raft of items on offer: Yamaha hasn't gone into this half-cocked…

Legroom is reasonable – there isn't masses of it for taller types, but riders of average height or below will be fine – and the LCD digital instrumentation is clear and easy to read. There's a trip computer with all the usual info bar range to empty – instead a trip meter kicks in once you hit reserve. Yamaha says around 70km is possible on reserve.

Speaking of fuel, the Tracer appears to be a real winner for economy. When filling up at the end of the Putty Road the trip computer was reading an average of 4.6lt/100km – enough for a safe working range of well over 300km. We'll reserve final judgment on that once we've conducted a full local test.

The Tracer is a heap of fun through the twisties though, where its light weight, decent ground clearance and responsive engine make for one very 'flickable' proposition. The brakes too are very impressive, with the four-piston, dual-disc front stoppers delivering strong but progressive power. The anchors are backed up ABS too, which can't be switched off.

Solid proposition
So that's a big tick for comfort, performance, economy and range – but what about its luggage-carrying ability? The Tracer comes standard with Yamaha's 'semi-soft' panniers. They could just as easily be called 'semi-hard' panniers, as they made of a form-holding, tough synthetic material. They're not waterproof and don't expect them to hold together if the bike goes sliding down the road, but they do lock to the Tracer's pannier rails and they do hold a reasonable amount of gear.

After our day on the Putty Road, it's fair to say I found little to complain about with the MT-07 Tracer. Personally I'd like to see the Tracer treatment applied to the MT-07HO, but then there's still plenty of performance available in this LAMS-approved model.

It's light, manageable and heaps of fun, and good value at $12,299 plus on-roads. If indeed there is a market for an entry-level sportstourer, Yamaha is getting the ball rolling in fine style with its MT-07 Tracer.

SPECS: YAMAHA MT-07 TRACER
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve parallel-twin
Capacity: 655cc
Bore x stroke: 78.0mm x 66mm
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 52.1hp (38.3kW) at 8000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 57.5Nm at 4000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Diamond, engine as a stressed member
Front suspension: Telescopic fork, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Dual 282mm discs with four-piston calipers
Rear brake: Single 245mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Tyres: Michelin Pilot Road – 120/70 R17 front, 180/55 R17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 196kg
Seat height: 835mm
Wheelbase: 1450mm
Fuel capacity: 17 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $12,299 (plus on-roads)
Colours: Radical Red, Tech Black or Yamaha Blue
Warranty: Two-year/unlimited kilometres
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia