EICMA 2022: Yamaha Tracer and Niken

Yamaha has announced updates for its two- and three-wheeled sportstourers, with significant electronic updates for the brand's Tracer models, while the 2023 Niken three-wheeler now gains the same chassis and motor used across Yamaha’s ‘CP3’ (cross-plane crank, three-cylinder) platform.

News of the new models breaks as Italy's EICMA motorcycle expo officially opens its doors today (November 8) to the globe's automotive media; bikesales will be bringing you a host of new model information as the week goes on. Held in Milan, the EICMA expo will showcase all the latest and greatest motorcycle hardware through to Sunday, November 13.

Calling it the most sophisticated sportstourer ever, Yamaha has thrown some electronic updates at its Tracer 9 GT, bringing it in line with its premium European rivals. Now boasting radar-equipped rider aids, the triple-cylinder machine gets adaptive cruise control (ACC) and a radar-linked braking system – a first for “the motorcycling world”, the company says – as well as electronic suspension, switchable riding modes and a new and updated seven-inch TFT dash.

The adaptive cruise control is customisable, offering features such as passing and cornering assist, both of which communicate with the electronic suspension accordingly. And the Unified Braking System offers three levels of intervention. While none of these features are particularly groundbreaking, we suspect the integration of all three into a single system is the source of Yamaha’s ‘world first’ claim.

Related reading:
2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Review
2018 Yamaha Niken Launch Review
2017 Yamaha MT-07 Tracer Launch Review

The mew braking package will intervene if the radar detects imminent danger ahead of the moving motorcycle. A second function sees the system modulate the forces being applied to the front and rear brakes to optimise the bike’s braking stability, while a third modulates braking intervention in relation to the bike’s lean angle.

Other updates include Garmin’s Motorise navigation app capability, an updated two-way quickshifter, an adjustable seat and new, more ergonomic switchblocks.

The firm’s three-wheeled Niken also receives a glut of updates for the 2023 model year, starting with the 890cc triple-cylinder engine its stablemates received in 2020. Replacing the original 847cc motor, the update requires a different frame, too, due to the engine’s redesigned crankcase and five-degree forward inclination.

Like the Tracer 9 GT, the 2023 Niken receives a new seven-inch TFT display with Garmin navigation capability, smartphone connectivity and three selectable themes.

Other updates include a two-way quickshifter, a new screen offering 70mm of height adjustment, a redesigned seat for increased comfort as well as revised rear suspension.

Despite the updates, it looks to us as if the outward styling of the leaning three-wheeler remains unchanged.

Finally, Yamaha’s parallel-twin-cylinder Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT also benefit from a handful of updates for 2023, including new five-inch TFT instruments with selectable themes and smartphone connectivity, bigger front brakes, revised fork settings, and a taller screen on the GT. However, the Tracer 7 disappeared from Yamaha Motor Australia’s line-up some years ago, after YMA deemed the model ill-suited to the local market.