2020 Yamaha Tracer 700 Review

Yamaha took a bit of a risk when it released its MT-07TR, or Tracer 700 – a bike that offers genuine sportstouring capabilities for the LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) market.

It's based on the mighty popular MT-07LA naked bike but gains a larger petrol tank and proper mile-munching ergonomics, a big screen, panniers and more.

When it launched, Yamaha was betting on the notion that there was a market of learner riders willing to splash out $14,149 (ride away) for its sportstouring ability, and while it would also enjoy interest from older, returning riders who didn't mind putting up with a restricted engine.

In Australia, the Tracer 700 is not available with the full-fat (HO, or High Output) engine tune for the 655cc parallel-twin, and so the larger Tracer 900 and Tracer 900 GT cater to those with an unrestricted licence after more power.

With the softer tune, the Tracer 700 makes 52hp (38kW) at 8000rpm and 57.5Nm at 4000rpm.

With a updated Tracer 700 on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if Yamaha Australia will again offer it in LAMS guise.

If it does release the newie for learners, it will have to find a different engine option as the next-generation Tracer 700 adopts a 698cc parallel-twin – which falls outside of the 660cc upper capacity limit for the Australian LAMS market.

While the notion of performance is all relative when it comes to LAMS models, the Tracer 700 really is impressive in terms of its acceleration and general all-round ability.

It's torquey, agile, and willing – and when hammering along an open road it can be easy to forget you're not on a big, 'proper' sportstourer.

The Tracer 700 may find itself in a niche market (ie LAMS-approved sportstourers) but it's not alone, with models like the Suzuki V-Strom 650 ($11,990 ride away) and Benelli TRK 502 ($8790 ride away) both undercutting the Yamaha on price.

But it's fair to say the Tracer falls at the premium end of the learner-approved sportstouring segment, and here's why…

Compared to the MT-07LA upon which this bike is based, the Yamaha Tracer 700 gains a 17-litre tank, semi-soft panniers as standard, a 50mm-longer swingarm, touring-oriented handlebars and revised suspension settings.

These changes translate to a taller seat height at 835mm (805mm for the MT-07LA), more suspension travel at 142mm (130mm), a longer wheelbase at 1450mm (1400mm) and a heavier wet weight at 196kg (182kg).

The Yamaha Tracer 700 also benefits from a very useable screen which can be vertically adjusted, and paint-matched hand guards which give the bike a real presence.

At the front end, the Yamaha Tracer 700 features dual 282mm discs with four-piston calipers and a single 245mm disc with a twin-piston caliper at the rear. ABS comes standard, and it can't be switched off.

Grip comes from a set of Michelin Pilot Road tyres, which are great on the tarmac but less so on dirt.

A preload adjustable monoshock can be found at the rear, while a non-adjustable telescopic fork is featured up front.

Despite its dimensional upgrades, the Yamaha Tracer 700 feels very similar in the corners to its naked-bike sibling. 'Throwable' is the word that springs to mind, and in a good way.

However, pushing the bike hard will find the limits of the fairly basic front suspension.

The engine is surprisingly beefy, with a strong hit of mid-range torque to allow for spritely but smooth running. Top speed? Over 170km/h, or so we hear…

The exhaust note is quiet and uninspiring, although Yamaha does offer an Akrapovic muffler among a range of other accessories, which also run to items like chunky Continental TKC80 tyres, crash bars and driving lights.

Those Continentals (and the crash bars and driving lights, to a lesser extent) seem to point the Yamaha Tracer 700 more down the adventure-tourer path, but with non-switchable ABS and relatively modest suspension travel, we'd suggest this is more about visual aesthetics than actual off-road ability.

The LCD digital instrumentation seems a little outdated now that full-colour TFT displays are all the rage, but the Yamaha Tracer 700's setup is easy to read and has important features like a range-to-empty display.

Economy wise, the Yamaha Tracer 700 drank around 4.8lt/100km during our testing, which equates with a safe working range of around 325km.

The riding position and seating is very comfortable, and the large screen certainly does a good job of managing the wind.

The addition of soft panniers from standard is also a nice touch.

We found this bike to have sufficient grunt and room to happily accommodate a pillion, which expands its capability yet again for those with an unrestricted licence.

The Yamaha Tracer 700 is a strong entry-level sportstourer with a healthy list of standard equipment, great looks and a quality finish, but that $14,149 (ride away) price tag may be a bit of a stretch for learner riders who are likely to upgrade once their probationary period is up.

Brand new riders, especially those of smaller stature, may find the Yamaha Tracer 700's size, weight and generally healthy performance a little intimidating, while on the flipside returning riders may well want a little more than this restricted engine can deliver.

Having said all that, the Yamaha Tracer 700 is a stand-out contender in its category, as its price should warrant.

Last year's EICMA motorcycle show in Italy saw the reveal of the next Tracer 700, which features a number of important updates.

Changes include revised styling that aligns it more closely to the recently released Yamaha Ténéré 700, including a twin-headlight setup, new screen and bodywork and LED indicators, the latter integrated into the hand guards.

While there's still no TFT display, the new model does gain an upgraded colour dash unit, and new suspension is adjustable at both ends.

Yamaha Motor Australia told Bikesales it is still a few months away from confirming if it will bring the new model to market.

If the new model does come to Australia in LAMS form, the improved suspension and modernised dash will go a long way to address some of the current Tracer 700's issues.

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: Twin 282mm discs with four-piston calipers, ABS equipped
Rear brake: Single 245mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS equipped
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: $14,149 ride away
Colours: Radical Red, Tech Black or Yamaha Blue
Warranty: Two-year/unlimited kilometres
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia