Associated Story: 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT | Highway Take a look at Evaluation
Mileage: 6,294
Base Value: $14,899 (2021); $14,999 (2022)
Equipment: $729.95
After a yr collectively, it’s lastly time to say goodbye to our 2021 Bike of the Yr. We’ve had a good time with the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, so we’re unhappy to see it go.
Commercial
The Tracer 9 GT is the fruits of a number of generations of improvement and refinement, and the result’s a improbable light-weight sport-tourer constructed round Yamaha’s 890cc inline-Triple, which is sweet for 108 hp at 10,000 rpm and 63 lb-ft of torque at 7,200 rpm on the rear wheel. This is without doubt one of the most enjoyable and fascinating engines round – it’s like hanging out with three hellraising buddies who know methods to preserve it cool in well mannered firm however like to get rowdy when the clock strikes 6,500 rpm.
In inventory trim, the Tracer 9 GT is a flexible, comfy machine that served us effectively on day rides, weekend jaunts, and multiday journeys. We appreciated the Yamaha’s good wind safety, upright driving place, beneficiant legroom, dual-height seat (31.9/32.5 inches), and adjustable handlebar and footpeg positions. None of our testers complained about soreness in wrists, decrease backs, or shoulders, nor was engine warmth ever a problem.
Any time the street turned twisty, we had been glad to be on the Tracer. With its raucous engine, glorious chassis, and semi-active suspension, we attacked corners with gusto, having fun with the arrogance enhance {that a} well-sorted bike can present.
To get to the good things, we logged many miles on the slab. One among our nits to choose is how busy the engine is in sixth gear at freeway speeds. At 65 mph, the engine turns 4,200 rpm. We misplaced rely of what number of instances we grabbed ghost shifts to seventh considering there is perhaps one other gear up prime. We’d prefer to strive a rear sprocket with one much less tooth to make the gearing taller.
By way of upkeep, we did routine checks of tire stress, oil stage, chain pressure and lubrication, and such. We modified the oil and filter after about 5,000 miles, and we used the really useful Yamalube merchandise. We additionally took the Tracer to our native Yamaha seller after a security recall was introduced that each one 2021-22 MT-09 and Tracer 9 GT fashions had an improperly programmed ECU that would trigger engines to stall unexpectedly in sure circumstances. It was fastened shortly at no cost.
The Tracer proved to be unforgiving of laziness with the clutch when pulling away from a cease, each earlier than and after the recall restore. With out sufficient revs, we’d stall the Tracer like a beginner.
After about 5,000 miles of laborious use, the rear Bridgestone Battlax T32 GT tire was toast. We spooned on a set of Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV radials, they usually’ve offered glorious grip and trip high quality. MSRP for the Roadsmart IV tires is $189.95 for the entrance (120/70ZR17) and $250.95 for the rear (180/55ZR17). You’ll be able to learn our Roadsmart IV evaluation right here.
To boost the Tracer 9 GT’s touring capacity, we put in a number of Yamaha manufacturing facility equipment, together with the Touring Windshield ($179.99), High Case Mounting Package ($116.99), 50L High Case ($289.99), 50L High Case Backrest Pad ($74.99), and 50L Fitted High Case Inside Bag ($66.99).
Set up was easy. The Touring Windshield is 2.8 inches wider and three.2 inches taller than inventory, and it made a giant distinction by way of wind safety. The Tracer’s 30-liter saddlebags are massive sufficient to carry a full-face helmet in all sides. The 50L High Case bumps complete storage capability to 110 liters, and the backrest pad was appreciated by passen-gers.
Over the course of almost 6,300 miles, we averaged 44.4 mpg, which yields 222 miles from the 5-gallon tank (premium unleaded is required). Our gas economic system ranged from as excessive as 60.4 mpg to as little as 33.7 mpg, the latter after giving it the whip in a critical headwind.
After whining to Yamaha reps about having to return the Tracer 9 GT, we wiped away our tears after they supplied us a lollipop: an accessorized 2022 MT-10. Keep tuned to learn the way we get together with the Tracer’s massive brother.
