2019 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT Review | MC Commute

It’s another commute with Zack! As usual, please feel free to suggest a bike you want to see featured here. If we get enough comments, we’ll do our best to send him home on that one next.

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Yamaha’s Tracer 900 GT is a terrific motorcycle. Based on the ever-popular FZ/MT-09, it pumps out more than 100 hp, cruises down a highway or canyon like a demon, and comes with all of the touring and city options you could want. A first glance at the bike or its spec sheet make it seem to have it all, and you’ll read plenty of reviews that say just that. Then again, the blue-collar roots of the Tracer are as attractive as all of its features.

So what about the price? Asking $13,000 isn’t unheard of in motorcycling, it’s just that the Tracer 900 comes from a humble place. Remember that when the FZ-09 stepped on the scene in 2014 it did so for an amazing MSRP of $7,990. Sure, it wasn’t (and isn’t) perfect, but eight grand for one of the most exciting motorcycles for sale was a bargain in a time when there was mostly stagnancy from Japanese manufacturers. The basic, soft suspension and abrupt throttle response were shrugged off because of the price, as were the squishy brakes.

Here we are, five years on, and the new Tracer 900 GT suffers with some of these same problems. To be fair, the fully adjustable suspension on the GT is actually much better, but there’s still driveline lash and the same basic brakes are now in charge of stopping 60 extra pounds of motorcycle (with bags). Last of all, among the many reasons that it is very much not 2014 anymore, other companies have gotten their creative ducks in a row and are producing exciting, practical, cool machines for reasonable prices. (Even the MT-09 has company—it has grown into a $9,000 bike, which is a strata that includes the Aprilia Shiver 900 and KTM 690 Duke, both of which have full electronics and color dashes. Or, for that matter, Kawasaki’s Versys 650 LT, which we’ll come back to.)

So the Tracer 900 is competing in a whole new territory. For $13,000, you could just about have a Honda Africa Twin, a Ducati SuperSport (a base model, anyway), or a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 with luggage. All of those bikes have their shortcomings, but aren’t so much accessorized versions of a smaller, cheaper bike as they are stand-alone models. More to the point, those machines have brakes and chassis that were designed for touring, and to weigh 500-plus pounds.

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Herein lies the paradox of the Tracer 900 GT: It offers incredible features—a TFT dash, adjustable suspension and windshield and seat height, cruise control, saddlebags, heated grips, a centerstand, and even headlights that adjust up and down with no tools—but how far does that take it? Does $4,000 worth of add-ons on a $9,000 bike automatically make it worth $13,000? How many accessories can you add before a machine ceases to be itself? There’s no limit, I suppose, as long as you know what you want. The Tracer 900 GT is going to make a lot of riders happy, as long as those riders are cool with the Tracer’s simple upbringing shining through from time to time.

As you can see in the video, I find the Tracer 900 to be a fun, engaging, and practical motorcycle. And I love the features. The dash is great, the quickshifter is a hoot, and I’m a fan of cruise control. Then again there’s the steadfast Versys 650, with terrific luggage, touring capability, and great chassis, all for $9,000. All of the Tracer’s fancy kit (and extra horsepower) might be a selling point for me, honestly, and make me consider this bike over some of the others in the category. But I would secretly wonder if a bike made for itself might be better than a dressed-up version of another model. So, Yamaha, how about a crossplane Tracer 1000? That’s got to be worth fourteen grand, right?

This bike by the numbers:

Price: $12,999
Displacement: 847cc
Measured Weight: 480/503 lb. w/bags (217.7/228.2 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gal. (18.2 L)
Seat Height: 33.5/34.1 in. (851/866mm)
Measured Horsepower: 104.9 @ 9930 rpm
Measured Torque: 59.8 lb.-ft. @ 8340 rpm

[thresh]

Ahh the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT in its national habitat, doing habitual wheelies for attracting other triples in the area for more wheelies advancing the species forward into wheeling all around

[mjbarber]

You are the one person on this Earth that I actually envy. You get PAID to drive new motorcycles on a regular basis. Really, I mean, come on dude. Do they realize that I (just about anyone) would do it for free. Truly you are the luckiest person ever. Drive safe my man. Enjoy your reviews.

[Milkman-xpnj]

I’ve owned this bike for the last 8 months and have done many long distance trips including a cross country trip and I must say this bike is almost perfect. I really only have 2 minor complaints. One being the key ignition spot and two is the cheap blinkers. No idea why they didn’t use the ones from the Super Tenere. That’s it, absolutely love the bike

[-ROB-E-]

Since a month i got the Tracer 900gt in phantom blue. And im loving this bike! Handeling is good! And its comfy. Especially for the long trips. Indeed the fuel meter isnt helpfull, But you got 2 trip meters, no problem. I am really glad i bought this bike! Greetings from the Netherlands

[shaungbm]

Love these videos. The presenters do a great job of making the reviews subjective to themselves which is important. When a reviewer says "The seat height is just way too high", or "the ergonomics are spot on" and don't make reference to their height, well the review doesn't really hold up. These guys always do a great job of pointing out what does and doesn't work for THEM and why.

[jakobcrawford]

I have a '15 FJ 09 and my buddy has this 2019 Tracer 900 BASE Model. We swapped bikes back to back and I prefer the 2019 over my 2015. I'm 6'2" and feel more comfortable on the 2019. Better seat, better riding position, and it's way more stable on the highway. The bike doesn't vibrate as much as the 2015. 2019 is much more refined over the previous generation. 10/10 recommend.

[blackbuttecruizr]

I have a 2015 "Fudge, " that I picked up last year for $8, 500 new in the box. That janky fuel gauge is by far my biggest gripe! I am consistently getting over 48mpg on mine. It can get higher, but my commute includes a lot of 80MPH freeway riding. Love the FJ!

[StaedtlerFox]

Ok... As a 2015 TRACER 900 owner, I'll say if this is you're first Tracer, get the GT for those upgrade stuffs.

But if you already have an old Tracer like me and thinking on get new GT, just save the money, you can get heated grip form YAMAHA and is for Tracer, plug in and go. Quick shifter can also add on easily. Suspension upgrade also got lot choice to. Luggage system, whole bunch of great cases bags you can get.

Biggest improve of new Tracer for me is the stability increased by extra the swingarm length. So if you like cruise fast on highway, get the GT :3

[chriscisneros]

I have a 16 fudge, that I picked up for 6k used. Replaced the seat, suspension, ti Akra, windscreen, brakes, ktm handguards with mt09 barends, reflashed the Ecu and added quick shifter. Now I need to add cruise control = perfection. All for thousands less than a new goo

[SaabAholic]

I just bought Tracer GT today! I love the different riding modes. Traded in my 2009 FJR1300 and I’m never lookin back. ! A little better upward stance to help the back and shoulders .
The bags are smaller than the FJR so I mounted a Givi tail bag after removing the side handles. The Givi sits a little forward on the seat but I don’t plan on carrying any riders. Also, I have room behind me to strap my small carry on luggage.

[Pukeko]

I am 5"7' and It fits like a glove just don't think about flat footing it - ride mine every day and LOVE IT.

[dontbother]

goo.

Damn you, Zack! What has been seen cannot be unseen.

[MARKINAU]

"Tracer ...you won!" I had to repeatedly listen to it three times. Cheers!

[Tenaciousdomi]

Wow wow wow! You put my Q in the video!! Yay! I was the Versys question guy!

[LexGrossmansDog]

Best review I’ve seen on the Tracer, bravo.

[John_Ridley]

I dropped a $20 wind deflector on the top of the stock windscreen and it fixed it for me. Sends the wind over my helmet. Can adjust it to personal preference too.

[ChadFeldheimer]

Love that dash, buying an MT09 next year and am really hoping the 2019 model has that too.
Another great video Zack!

[krisrudecki]

Awesome bike, but Yamaha, if you’re listening, update those bloody indicators from ‘89 !!!

[stevemitchell]

Got the same 2020 tracer in NC for $11500.00. I absolutely love mine. Ride safe.

[fredoc]

Nice entertaining review Zack!  I do agree is a bit expensive, but a well rounded overall package.