2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT

bmac

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Florida, Wisconsin
It looks like Yamaha is building a dramatically up spec Tracer GT for 2021. It is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade and I am really looking forward to riding one. The seating position looks to be improved along with a much stiffer frame. This bike could compete well with some of the much more expensive European bikes. It may not have the high HP of some of those bikes but it should still be quite potent. I don't plan on buying anything else until I ride one.

It may even be an option for some road only S10 owners that are looking for a sportier, lighter ride.

2021 Yamaha Tracer GT
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
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That looks pretty sweet actually. Looks like the FJR1300 will also be offered after strong rumors that 2020 would be the last model year.
 

VRODE

Easy Does It
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Northern Vermont
It looks like Yamaha is building a dramatically up spec Tracer GT for 2021. It is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade and I am really looking forward to riding one. The seating position looks to be improved along with a much stiffer frame. This bike could compete well with some of the much more expensive European bikes. It may not have the high HP of some of those bikes but it should still be quite potent. I don't plan on buying anything else until I ride one.

It may even be an option for some road only S10 owners that are looking for a sportier, lighter ride.

2021 Yamaha Tracer GT
Lots of nice upgrades. Finally got rid of the ‘70’s turn signals too.
 

Kurgan

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Dec 11, 2015
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SE Michigan
Not a fan of them bragging about new die casting tech for the frame and sharing that the thinnest portion of the frame is only 1.7mm in thickness (2020 was 3.5mm). This isn't some homologated World Superbike contender, an extra mm or two is a benefit, not something to try to shave away.

It reminds me of a certain year ZX6R where the frame was thinned out so Muzzy and others could have a lighter weight frame to start with in Supersport. It was learned (the hard way) that even falling over off a sidestand or similar would deform the frame enough that some insurance companies would just about total it out as it needed to be replaced - rebuilding an entire bike around a new frame is NOT cheap!
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
I don't care for the Tracer. Way too heavy. MT09 is much lighter and a better fit for long distance sport touring.
 

gunslinger_006

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May 21, 2016
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Seattle, Washington
I don't care for the Tracer. Way too heavy. MT09 is much lighter and a better fit for long distance sport touring.
Ditto on not understanding how the tracer is not just a really heavy mt09.

I like the tracer, but it feels like it doesn’t make a lot of sense with the mt09 available.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Longdog Cymru

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Swansea, Wales, UK
Here you go, the new Tracer 900 could persuade me away from my SuperTen.....!

By the way, the Super Tenere weighs in at 261 kgs while the Tracer 9 weighs in at 213kgs, that is 48kgs difference or just over 105 pounds, a pretty substantial difference in anyone’s book!

 
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Sierra1

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My opinion(s): Calling this a Tenere 900 (T-9) would make more sense than the T-7. The Tracer 900 GT even resembles the T-12; handle bars, fork protecting fender, gold forks, headlights, and even the gas tank. Much more than the T-7. If the Tracer 9 GT is successful, the T-12 may turn into a Tracer 10 GT. Once again, to me, making more sense. Tenere translates to desert, which the T-7 is more desert orientated than the T-12. GT stands for grand tour, which is a better description for the T-12.

The Tracer 9 GT has all the electronics that everybody is clamoring for. Take the MT-10, add all the Tracer 9 GT stuff, a drive shaft, and voila', a Tracer 10 GT. Just a thought.
 

Ronzo

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Ontario, Canada
Contrary to popular belief, no everyone prefers a shaft drive. Other that ease or lack of maintenance, what are the benefits?
It is heavier, adds more to initial cost of bike, impossible to repair in the field, expensive to repair if fails, driveshaft lag, not most efficient to transfer power, cannot easily change gearing....I could go on.
I cannot think of any performance/race bike, dirt or tarmac, that uses shaft drive.
I may be wrong though.
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
Contrary to popular belief, no everyone prefers a shaft drive. Other that ease or lack of maintenance, what are the benefits?
It is heavier, adds more to initial cost of bike, impossible to repair in the field, expensive to repair if fails, driveshaft lag, not most efficient to transfer power, cannot easily change gearing....I could go on.
I cannot think of any performance/race bike, dirt or tarmac, that uses shaft drive.
I may be wrong though.

My reason for getting the Super Tenere was not shaft drive. I agree with you completely. There were so many other factors I based my purchase decision on when buying the S12. IMO chain drive is the very best final drive system available.

Fortunately Yamaha got the shaft drive right with reliability and lack of dreaded shaft hop the BMW and so many other manufacturers cannot seem to control. In fact Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Honda all make great shat drive systems.

I started a thread some time back asking the availability of gear sets for the Super Tenere shaft drive system. I was basically laughed at not taken seriously. The lack of ability of changing gear ratios is one thing I'm not happy about on my bike. Fortunately I have been able to find the OEM ratios usable for everything except super slow speed crawling in slippery conditions. At walking pace you are having to use a lot of clutch on this bike. Not so bad until your are cooking your clutch plates through 3 miles of rock navigation.

Really? Don’t forget like for like. Super Tenere weight also with the cases.
We’re the side cases on the Tracer full of rocks? :eek:
Super Tenere is only 100 lbs more than the Tracer with over 1 gallon more fuel capacity. With bikes in the 500 lb+ range that is not much difference. The Tracer might be a good fit for some but is not enough to want me to have it sitting next to my Super Tenere in the garage.
 

Sierra1

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Contrary to popular belief, no everyone prefers a shaft drive. Other that ease or lack of maintenance, what are the benefits?
It is heavier, adds more to initial cost of bike, impossible to repair in the field, expensive to repair if fails, driveshaft lag, not most efficient to transfer power, cannot easily change gearing....I could go on.
I cannot think of any performance/race bike, dirt or tarmac, that uses shaft drive.
I may be wrong though.
100% accurate, although you forgot to mention good durability, and longevity. BUT. . . . the bikes that they're on. . . . are the bikes that they need to be on. I feel confident that we don't have to worry about seeing a shaft on an R1. Other than a certain Germanic brand, I don't remember ever hearing of a drive shaft failure; doesn't mean they haven't. I've had both, and prefer the shaft. Especially on bikes that are designed to be long distance runners. To me, the positives outweigh the negatives. Everybody has their preferences.
 

Sierra1

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. . . . The Tracer might be a good fit for some but is not enough to want me to have it sitting next to my Super Tenere in the garage.
Another opinion: The Tracer 9 GT is more of a suitable replacement for the T-12, than the T-7 is. I don't think the Tracer GT would make sense as an "addition to" a T-12.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Super Tenere is only 100 lbs more than the Tracer with over 1 gallon more fuel capacity. With bikes in the 500 lb+ range that is not much difference. The Tracer might be a good fit for some but is not enough to want me to have it sitting next to my Super Tenere in the garage.
Hmmm..... so the Super Tenere weighs in at 261 kgs or 575 lbs and the new Tracer comes in at 213 kgs or 469 lbs and you claim it is not much??? That is the weight of a pillion passenger that you are dragging around every time you press the starter button or move it out of your garage. Do you have any concept of mass and weight? Obviously not :rolleyes:
 

HeliMark

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Tennessee
One thing for sure, if they do revamp the S10, a lot of the tech on the Tracer will find its way to the S10. I saw the mention of a quick shifter on the GT.
 

gv550

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Listowel, Ontario, Canada
I had a Tracer GT ,last years model which is a little heavier than the ‘21, and it felt a lot lighter than my T12. On the street the GT outperformed the T12 in every way and was an absolute hoot to ride. The T12 felt like a whale after spending a week on its sibling. I rode the GT for 9 months and 35k, got fed up with its 1940s final drive (chain) mess, noise, wear, replacement cost so traded it for a Goldwing. T12 is a keeper!
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
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At walking pace you are having to use a lot of clutch on this bike.
Since my Anthony tune, I've no issue riding at a walking pace in 1st gear with the clutch fully released in either S or T mode. Poor throttle response of the factory supplied tuning made this impossible and required use of the clutch for precise control.

Regarding the new Tracer, I think it's main appeal will be to folks that want something lighter and smaller than an FJR, ST1300 or Concours. It's complementary bike to the T-12 rather than a direct competitor. Speaking for myself, I see the appeal of a lighter lower bike as I get older. The T-12 is certainly lighter than the ST13 I came from, but I could see the height becoming more of an issue as I age. The main issue I have with the Super Tenere is climbing up onto it with my arthritic knees sometimes. The loss of cartilage in my knees has also resulted in a 30" in seam where I used to be 32". I love it once aboard though.
 
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