2019 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT vs Tracer 900 Review

[@donnyazoff980]

Great review mate, I own a 2019 Tracer 900 GT and absolutely love it. Just got back from a weekend away with my wife on the back and like your wife she loved it. She said the seat was very comfortable and was her favourite bike out of all the bikes I have owned.

[@MotoJournoKris]

That's the feedback you want, and makes organising bike trips away so much easier when everyone is happy!

[@donnyazoff980]

@@MotoJournoKris sure does!!!

[@leviefrauim1425]

Excellent, informative review- thank you. I'm giving this bike serious consideration as my next ride.

[@Oversoul225]

I just came in from my hour long moto commute from work decided to search for Tracer reviews (thinking of upgrading from my R3), and what coincidence this went up minutes before!

[@MotoJournoKris]

Great timing then, hopefully this is of some help! If you have any questions let me know.

[@richarddoheny2706]

I bought a GT 900 2 months ago, make sure you test ride it thoroughly, between 60-70mph at 5000rpm's. see if you are ok with the vibrations

[@Oversoul225]

@@richarddoheny2706 That bad on yours? I definitely have numb hands after an hour or two on the R3, which is at 8200rpms to cruise at 80mph.

[@richarddoheny2706]

@@Oversoul225 its a smooth bike until I sit on between 60-70mph at 5000rpm on motorway, then it vibrates through pegs and handlebars. its slightly annoying, but I still love the bike. been riding mt-09 since 2015. the quick shifter and cruise control is fantastic and it handles really well on the twisties and in and around the city.

[@briancooney9952]

@@Oversoul225 My R3 seemed to have a harmonic at maybe 7 or 7500rpm (can't remember specifically). It was like the brown note of engine frequencies. The vibration just went right through the seat and tingled after a short while. Was perfectly smooth above that though. I did a 2,000 mile weekend on it and was at a consistent 9,000rpm and never had any vibration. I sold it last winter with the plan of having a tracer 900gt by now but i now i'm bikeless.

[@timlawler479]

Thanks for the comparison Kris. Time to upgrade my 2006 Vstrom 1000 (great bike). Both Tracers seem rock solid; currently I can get the base model for around $8k here in the States. Just too good of a value to pass up.

[@MotoJournoKris]

That's what I kept coming back to, the sheer value for the base model and it's an exceptional all-rounder. You'll love it!

[@timlawler479]

I’ll report back as soon as I nail it. Thanks again.Tim

[@socialising6037]

@@timlawler479 yo what one did you end up going for?

[@pgclift51]

Excellent and well balanced review.

[@frankstocker5475]

Far better clearance & the high exhausts fits nicely under the panniers.

[@frankstocker5475]

Hi Kris, I have a tracer GT & it's a much better deal than the standard Tracer, Try to take another test but tighten up the suspension first, it makes a world of difference, a completely different bike than what comes standard. The standard tires are not so good I installed Batlax T31 & now it rides like on a train track. For the price & what you get can you name a better bike? An aftermarket exhaust is the icing on the cake. As you say a keeper bike. Frank.

[@MotoJournoKris]

Thanks Frank, I'm definitely hoping to get a chance to test one again that has the suspension sorted in the future, as the general consensus elsewhere was that it is a big step up. Tinkering with the suspension did yield some better results eventually in most circumstances, but still not quite what was expected, although there's all the other GT features to think about as well. There's really nothing in that similar price range though as you say, unless you go down in capacity and look at something more touring, or up in price for something a fair bit more expensive. Yamaha do a great job in that regard with the MT-09 platform, it's a shame it's still not just a $1500 premium for the GT, that was crazy good value! Have you fitted an exhaust on yours? The Akros that Yamaha offer seem a popular option on the MT-09 and pretty good value.

[@chachim3014]

Informative review Kris, thanks mate. If you're spending your own money are you buying this or the Ninja 1000? Thanks.

[@MotoJournoKris]

That's a hard one, both are really competitive price-wise for what they offer! I really like the Ninja 1000, especially for the sportsbike styling and extensive electronics package, but if I was looking today I'd lean towards the Tracer 900 personally as the one bike to do it all. Part of that is also the fact I've owned a sportsbike since 2014 though, with the Tracer 900 being something a bit different! There's not much in it.

[@frankstocker5475]

I installed an MVR high exhaust, I like the sound of the Akro but the headers don’t hug the engine. I can send a photo if you like

[@MotoJournoKris]

Definitely, do you find there's better ground clearance as a result?

[@arkansasmotorcyclerides6090]

I've found the standard suspension just fine...Now if you"re a balls to the wall professional rider... yeah you may need a fully adjustable suspension... I had the bags and the quick shifter added after i bought it along with the comfort seat...IMO both models are a good buy...Just depends on what you want to live with or without..

[@MotoJournoKris]

True, especially since the pricing changed and there's more of a gap between the standard and GT models, makes a lot of sense for some people to just buy what they want.

[@cruisingthethaiway6881]

I bought the GT mostly for the suspension. That was a major disappointment. After 8000 miles had replace the crap rear shock that is not serviceable. It doesn't have compression adjuster so it is not fully adjustable. Under sprung front and rear. Had to change the fork oil from 5w to 10w with a little more. Works okay now with preload to max... But needs fork springs to make it correct for me ar 183 LBS. The ohlins ya 537 shock is a huge improvement. Also needed tires, chain, seat, windshield, radiator guard, EBC brake pads, and much more to complete the bike. Basically it's a crime that Yamaha is selling bikes that are not safe to ride. If I knew what I know now, I would have bought a Triumph, KTM or BMW. It would have been cheaper, better and ready to ride

[@arkansasmotorcyclerides6090]

bout 5000 miles on mine and right now so far so good...

[@vincentcausey8498]

The hard luggage and TFT screen I can do without, which doesn't make it worth the extra for me. You can purchase the quick shifter as an optional extra on the basic model, but not cruise control or heated grips, which is a shame. I think this was done deliberately to force people to pay the full amount for the GT.

[@MotoJournoKris]

I think the heated grips are available here, while I'm guessing retro-fitting cruise control would be a hassle, so they probably did leave that as something they don't offer. There'd definitely be a push to get people to pick the GT though. Often with this kind of up-spec model we see manufacturers struggle to find the balance between what to offer as extras and what to charge, if the difference is too small price-wise, no one wants the standard. I'd say the original pricing of the GT fell into that kind of comparison, while now it's more representative of what you get. As I rider I'd always prefer they massively under-price something like the GT though, but that's just me :)

[@phnx4life]

What is the passenger seat like in regards to seating room? I don't like the passenger pushed onto me like a monkey on my back. Nice to see that you did mention this, hopefully for the passenger sitting further back doesn't make one uncomfortable. Is the seat bearable after hours of consistent riding? What would be the choice of the Versys 650/1000 or the Tracer? Thanks-good honest review.

[@MotoJournoKris]

I took my wife on the bike for a couple of rides, including through some nice twisties and thought it was ideal from the rider perspective, while my wife found the pillion seat comfortable and generous. The grab rails give your pillion plenty to hold on to, so they aren't sliding forward or having to hold onto you, which I think is an enormous plus. I did a number of longer rides and was happy with the seat, it wasn't FJR1300 comfortable, but good all the same. I'd probably say the Tracer 900 GT is closer to the Versys 1000, as the triple is a big step up from the 650 performance-wise, although the Versys 1000 is very trick these days and the Tracer 900 GT pricing is getting right up there with it, where the standard version is substantially cheaper. The Versys 650 is significantly cheaper again (almost the same difference between standard 900 and Versys 1000 SE) which makes it a hard comparison with pricing varying so greatly between models, as they offer significantly different loadouts. Looking for absolute value I'd go the Versys 650, but I'd be sorely tempted by the standard Tracer 900 if I wanted more performance or a sportier ride.

[@danbev9313]

The Yamaha triple gives a lovely hearty exhaust note compared to the weaker 650 Versey. I like to have cars know I'm around a bit

[@stephenprizeman6669]

Brilliant review

[@celarkorny]

Thanks for great review.. What do you think about Tracer 900 (GT) as a beginners bike. I'm preatty tall (187cm) so I cant find better bike with less cc and hp. Thank you.!

[@MotoJournoKris]

We aren't allowed them here due to our learner restrictions, but at your height the reach to the ground shouldn't be an issue. Things to keep in mind is if you're a totally new rider the bigger machine will be more of a challenge as it's much more top heavy and you've got momentum working against you if that weight gets too off centre. There are a host of electronics though and it's better mannered than the MT-09 on the throttle, but it still comes down to needing a little more care and caution as you learn as it's a fast bike. I'd probably recommend the Tracer 700 as a better beginner machine as it's a bit more forgiving and very easy to ride (and to ride fast), but that's a one size fits all recommendation.

[@celarkorny]

Moto Journo Kris Thank you for prompt and detailed answer..! Actually, Tracer 700 was my first choice, that's completely enough cc and hp and i thought that's the best option for me, but when I take a seat on them I realize it's too small for me. So, the first following option was Tracer 900. Roughly speaking I have 5~10 driving hours on different types of motorcycles (i took driving license ~10 years ago, so for that period of time it’s almost nothing) but 115 hp is not weak at all. My greater consolation is that I’m pro on mounting bike, but except two wheels there are not so many similarities..  Thanks for all the advices and I wish you all the best..!

[@sascha294]

I had the same problem. I`m 38, 188cm, 77kg, complete beginner, took driving licence in 2011 and since then never rode a motorcycle. Last year I bought Tracer 900! Before I bought it, I took just 1 hour riding in a driving school and that's it. Just go for it. Be careful, take riding courses, learn from youtube, ride in b-mode, it's much smoother. Great&fun bike

[@oliverrevilo7654]

I did a test drive and the vibrations in the handlebar were very annoying. Never hab those problems on other bikes before.

[@MotoJournoKris]

Interesting, I noticed some minor vibes at certain rpm, but not enough to annoy me on longer rides.

[@NiekkieNick]

Just came back from a four day trip in Germany on my 900 GT. I don't find the vibrations in the handlebar an issue. Yes, you can feel it a bit, but not very annoying. Great bike for touring! Don't forget, it has a triple engine, so there are some noticable vibrations in the handlebars, but personally, I like it when I can feel the engine a bit. Only downside is the windscreen. Upgraded my windscreen to a Vstream windscreen, but stil not perfect. Especially riding on the highway, there is a lot of wind noise around my helmet. You can adjust the heigth of the screen, but the difference between the lowest and highest position isn't very noticable.

[@MotoJournoKris]

@@NiekkieNick Yea I've got a Niken GT with the same engine at the moment and was noticing the vibes, but they don't seem to cause any discomfort, however it would depend if you are holding on to the 'bars quite firmly, which can cause numbness and really magnify the vibes. It can be hard to get just the right amount of wind protection from the screen, especially to reduce the amount of noise through your helmet.

[@Kurkess]

Try a GS then ;-)

[@marksimpson5218]

NiekkieNick I agree with you, vibes are not a problem,but the screen could be better. Sold my 1200gs for the gt & really happy with it.

[@FENBASS100]

You never mentioned that the bars aren’t as wide as the 900

[@FxRiderST]

Thanks for the video. How is it on a highway (motorway)? My friend has an FZ90 (MT09) which is supposedly same engine, and he claims that it rans out of steam at about 85-90mph...

[@MotoJournoKris]

I found it really good on the freeway - plenty of power, good wind protection, comfortable, and it was doing those kinds of speeds in fourth with plenty to spare, but more like 120mph+ should be easily possible.

[@cruisingthethaiway6881]

Ran my gt up to 130 with more to go

[@normanhughedicko4076]

The rear taillight is way too ugly