2017 Yamaha Tracer 900 Review

2017 Yamaha Tracer 900 Review

It's been a while coming but I finally got to ride the big Yamaha Tracer 900 thanks to the kind folks at Brian Gray's Powerbiking in High Wycombe. Stay tuned to see what I thought....

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My current motorcyles are:-
Honda CRF250L
Triumph Street Triple R
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale

For any additional enquiries please send a PM, contact me via Twitter or Facebook or leave a comment below...

[MotoMark]

Love mine. Feels like a 150bhp supermoto to ride. One of the most fun bikes I've owned in 23yrs of riding 👍

[iamwezlee]

Great review!

You're absolutely right about being surprised by this bike. The first 5 minutes on this bike put the biggest grin on my face!!! One of the best bikes I've owned. Does everything very well.

[pop]

Very good, well presented review and sums up the MT-09 TRA perfectly.
I've had mine for a year now and it's superb.
Local trips in Ireland or long European takes all in its stride and never disgraced in more 'exotic' company.

[XNexusDragonX]

Glad to see Brian Gray's Powerbiking helping you with demonstration bikes / reviews. I started out my riding career with them several years back (CBT & DAS) and as a dealer they've always been a great help. Ridden old and new alike, currently a 1999 Thundercat.

[standandeliver]

Great review, thank you. How refreshing for a reviewer to have no ego whatsoever. Detailed and informative, concentrating on the bike rather than how fast you can go while disregarding all other road users (as with so many others).

[johns]

Well done ... another good wrap as always. I have been looking to downgrade from my Vulcan classic cruiser 1600cc (63 yrs young and wanting a lighter ride) and with your help, I think I have just found her. Vrrrooommm. I was thinking V-Strom 1050 XT, Versys 1000, MT10. But now with this 18 ltr fuel tank on the Tracer for touring the long distances around Australia, sports-like attributes, power, and with a good pillion seat for the boss :) It has sold me. Not too many fuel stops and more riding. Now for a test ride. Thanks mate you have been very helpful. Keep those reviews coming...Cheers from down under :) and keep well...

[CasperJLT]

Planning to buy this bike soon and this is by far the most complete and informative review yet. Thank you!

[pop]

Another superb review Mr. MF. Also nice to recognise some familiar roads that I rode when I wore a younger mans boots!
I bought myself an MT-09 Tracer last year and it's becoming one of my favourite bikes across over a half century of riding.
I thought you review was excellent. Based almost wholly on the riding experience and feel of the bike. Not bogged down by technical jargon and nit-picking. One or two comparisons from your own experience of other marques was helpful as well.
All in all, a 'proper' riders review as opposed to some self indulgent 'expert' spouting trail, rake, power-to-weight and compression ratio's. Good man!

[ginoliotto]

You talked through the bike very well, most other reviewers don't stop to show the bike. Good job!

[dazadorph]

After your review I have now gone and purchased a 2015 version of the tracer 900. Thank you for a really good review.

[martinfrost]

your bike reviews are outstanding, imagine a lot of dealers falling over themselves to loan you their motorcycles.

[dnlgrhm]

Great review! I traded my 2013 FJR1300 for a 2017 Tracer 900 (FJ-09 in the US) in June and you can imagine how nimble it seemed to me coming from the FJR. I did a video myself about the switch and also described the Tracer as a hoot. I love it! I thought I would agree with you about the headlights when I first got the Tracer but now I like them. The left is the low beam and the right is the high beam. When the bright switch is on, both are illuminated and you can ride like this in the daytime if you like. At night, having both on really illuminates the road very well from close up to a long way off. With the brights off and only the left light illuminated, you still have great visibility at night. In every way, the night time visibility is better than the 2013 FJR. I suspect that having the low and high beams in two different headlights simplifies designing the reflectors for the LEDs and makes them more efficient. By the way, in addition to the slipper/assist clutch, the 2017 Tracer has an improved ECU with much better fueling and an improved suspension relative to the 2014-2016 models.

[jimjoelliejack]

I’ve just got myself one, I’ve be out of biking for 20 plus years, it’s an absolutely amazing bike, so much torque, I’d recommend one to anyone. It’s like a 125 with a massive power plant.

[thebuyerboy]

I love your honest reviews. You have a really good way of presenting ! Great job.

[RailsideSkate]

Great review, a bit of a 'dream' bike for me. I can't wait until we have some nice, gently used FJ-09's on the market in the U.S. for around $5K. One of the best features in terms of maintenance and reliability is the 28, 000 mile intervals for valve clearance inspections and/or adjustments.

[daveallen]

I've been thinking about changing my 1200GS for something a bit more manageable now I've turned 70 and having seen your excellent review I think the Tracer is the bike for me. I love the GS but it is big and heavy to move about although no problem once on the move. I did the NC500 on it last June and had a few dodgy moments on the slow twisty bits! Now I've seen your video of the Tracer my mind is made up. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

[PhantomRides]

Looking at it's competition I like the design and overall characteristics of this!

[frankstocker]

I'm waiting for the GT but I don't like the gold forks, Yamaha should give the option for black forks like on the standard Tracer 900. Thanks for the great review.

[michals]

You are pure cruiser guy for sure, the way you riding clearly shows this. Cool video

[UneasyRider]

Cheers for the review TMF. Nothing mentioned about wind buffering or high speed wobble on motorways? Top two groans on the forums.