2019 Yamaha Tracer GT review

Yamaha has certainly – and is continuing to – eke out a very good living from its MT-09 platform.

Bikesales first rode the new triple in 2013 and, in addition to updates for the original naked since then, along has come the XSR900 retro machine (in some neat retro liveries, as well!) and also the Tracer 900 sports tourer.

MORE: 2017 Yamaha MT-09 launch review

Then at the 2017 EICMA show in Milan, Yamaha not only announced updates to the Tracer 900 – longer swingarm, new shock, re-sculptured seat, slightly narrower handlebar, new grab bar and passenger footpegs and some cosmetic tweaks – but also added to the portfolio with a pimped-up GT version.

The Tracer 900 GT gets cruise control, heated grips and a quickshifter as standard fitment, as well as a TFT instrument cluster, colour-matched hard panniers and a remote preload adjuster. There is also a 12-volt socket, and the centrestand makes chain maintenance a breeze.

Price is $18,199 plus on-roads for the Tracer 900 GT, while the Tracer 900 retails for $15,499 plus on-road costs.

While the Tracer will continue to show its hand against long-legged adventure bikes such as the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE, Triumph Tiger Sport and Suzuki V-Strom 1000 – among others – the GT has probably developed more of a niche for itself. It’s too lean and lithe for the bigger GT models, and sharper on price compared to machines like the BMW F 800 GT. It’s probably still best described as a sports-tourer that allows you to enjoy the ride just that little bit longer.

Market positioning is one thing, but how does the 227kg (wet) GT bring its updated credentials to the table? It’s an excellent motorcycle, really – starting with the way it treated Bikesales during the recent period of sizzling weather that cooked just about every part of the country. It’s kinda hard to keep hot air away from the rider when it’s a searing 44.5 degrees, but the GT was actually quite comfortable at speed while the mercury was hovering at an uncharitable level. Once city traffic beckoned, however, nothing was going to save this short and bulky torso from overheating….

MORE: 2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Yamaha XSR900

Not a normal situation by any stretch, but it does open up questions about the efficacy of the GT to accommodate riders (and pillions) in all types of weather conditions. Heated handgrips are a no-brainer on a touring model, and the Tracer GT ones work well. Yes, I did use them briefly one morning before the temperature started heading north at a rapid rate of knots….

The hand-adjustable screen is a new design that’s also shared by the Tracer 900, and it does a reasonable job of deflecting wind – but I reckon it could still be a couple of inches higher to really allow the rider to settle into a touring-like bubble. However, at least the air stream is stable, so there’s no real heavy-duty turbulence to contend with. And there's a larger accessory screen if you're still not happy.

The standard screen offers about two inches movement, and is simply a matter of pinching a lever and sliding it up and down. The screen holds up well at speed – no shuddering.

The other main GT-enhancing features are the 20-litre matte black panniers – some other markets get gloss – which, while not huge, fit beautifully into the silhouette in what is a fairly schmick-looking motorcycle.

The locking and removal mechanism is simple, too, so the panniers will be your friends on multi-day jaunts.

The GT can take you a long way in comfort – as long as the 18-litre fuel tank can accommodate. And that’s well north of 300km after we measured economy of about 4.8lt/100km.

The ‘rider triangle’, footpeg location, handlebar position (with some room for rotation) and general level of roominess are spot on, and the seat can also be raised by 15mm (from 850 to 865mm) if extra lift is required. I remained firmly in 850mm mode and, combined with the narrow seat, I had no problems reaching terra firma.

The narrow seat is also nod to the GT’s sports touring DNA, allowing ample sideways movement to eat up the twisties – but when the roads are straighter there’s enough width at the rear to plonk your derriere.

Passengers are also well accommodated with more seat padding and added legroom.

The great thing about the MT-09 platform, though, is the ability to generate some excitement – and the Tracer GT is no different. The 847cc crossplane triple just keeps on delivering – but this time with a new throttle body to accommodate the cruise control, which works in from fourth gear onwards. The cruise control is navigated via switches on the left, but fine-tuning is difficult as there’s no ‘set’ speed displayed on the TFT screen. It’s really a matter of becoming au fait with the system and going from there. An orange light on the dash lets you know the system is activated.

The quickshifter, for upshifts only, is also cut from the same cloth as the cruise control: not especially sophisticated, but a feature I’d take on a bike any day. Like most quickshifter systems, it works best under hand acceleration.

And the Tracer GT can accelerate hard, emitting a nice growl as the 115hp (85kW) and 97.5Nm powerplant gets to work. It’s ideal for a sports-touring setting.

The throttle response can get a little snatchy on the triple – not a dramatic hair trigger affair, but a little bit of jerkiness that may not just be a function of fuelling, but driveline lash as well. I actually don’t mind it: I like that perkiness but I can understand why it may be an annoyance to some.

MORE: 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Yamaha MT-09SP

The Tracer GT produces a wave of torque from 3500rpm that propels it forward with authority. And when you think it's going to run out of puff, a high-end rush – similar to a four-cylinder – takes over and continues all the way to the soft-action rev-limiter. There’s also an ear-pleasing burble on the overrun, and clutch pull is light and gradual in its operation.

The GT has three different throttle responses than can be changed on the fly with the close of the throttle. ‘A’ mode is the most direct, but can be a little snatchy in traffic; ‘B’ is the softest; while ‘STD’ mode splits the two – the latter being the pick in most riding environments.

There’s also traction control and ABS.

The new 41mm Kayaba fork has compression adjustment on the right fork leg and rebound on the left, while out back the remote preload adjustment is just the ticket for a long-range bike. Suspension travel is 137mm on the front and 142mm on the rear.

The GT has a lot of ground clearance, and handling is light but with plenty of stability – Yamaha previously saw to that by lengthening the swingarm by 60mm.

Hauling the GT up is the job of 298mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers up front, while the rear makes use of a 245mm disc and single-piston caliper. The front brakes offer an abundance of power and very progressive feel.

The TFT screen is compact – but not to the extent where the information is unreadable. Quite the contrary, really – it’s one of the best I’ve used, and I also liked the small wheel-type switch used to toggle through all the functions (including ride modes and traction control) as well as activating the heated grips. The wheel is situated on the right-hand switchblock.

Summing up

Grand touring on a budget certainly has appeal, and the Tracer GT has those credentials. And if you want to go beyond Yamaha has accessories such as a heated seat, the aforementioned higher screen and Akrapovic exhaust to add some more to the equation.

Still, as it stands, the extra $2700 for the Tracer GT over the Tracer 900 is good value, as sporting flair meets genuine comfort station.

Yamaha’s sports touring line-up is impressive – to the Tracer 900s you can add the FJR1300, Niken and MT-07 Tracer, but the Tracer 900 GT may just be the bang-for-your-buck champion.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-valves, inline three-cylinder
Capacity: 847cc
Bore x stroke: 78mm x 59.1mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 115hp (84.6kW) at 10,000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 87.5Nm at 8500rpm
Economy: 4.8lt/100km (measured)

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Diamond
Front suspension: 41mm KYB upside-down fork, fully adjustable, 137mm travel
Rear suspension: Monoshock with remote preload adjustment, 142mm travel
Front brakes: 298mm disc with four-piston calipers
Rear brake: Single 245mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: Dunlop Sportmax D222F – 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 227kg
Rake: 24 degrees
Trail: 100mm
Seat height: 850/865mm
Wheelbase: 1500mm
Fuel capacity: 18 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $18,199 plus on-road costs
Colour: Midnight black
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Australia, www.yamaha-motor.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres