First (proper) ride on the Tracer GT | Tracer GT #9

Spent a weekend in Eifel and Mosel region of Germany/Belgium breaking-in my new Yamaha Tracer 900 GT.
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[@CriticalRider]

The curve at 5:48 is the longest curve I've ever made. It took 20 seconds in real life from start to finish, around 270º. And I was going fast!! Awesome!

[@pproffa7900]

It is a long time ago. Cant wait for your long term review about the gt!

[@jamesbrace3212]

Yes it's been a long time since he has posted a vido. What gives????

[@ManMang0]

I have an ex demo 2020 GT on the way. It's going to be another 1.5 months as it's still a demo... Your videos will help me through these tough times! Subbed!

[@mrvwbug4423]

Finally got to test ride a 900GT yesterday (one of the very first ones brought to the US). It is light years better than the old one. It is the smoothest version of the Yamaha triple I've experienced. I am seriously looking at getting one once they become readily available in the US market.

[@fredthebarber]

Yay! Great to see the Tracer out on the road! Great footage, thanks!

[@bertdejesus3578]

Wow... what a picturesque ride..... Safe ride

[@davideccles1617]

Ok that will be great I miss your videos, keep watching the old ones lol 😝

[@Overland4All001]

What an amazing vídeo !! Man, what a great job !! Spectacular landscapes, and beautiful roads !! but the editing also did a wonderful job !!! I'm not surprised by the YT views, you reallt pulled a very nice job here !! And I´m not forgetting the feedback you gave along the way ... worked like a charm !!! Thank you so much for sharing ... you are making us all very proud !!! I know you don´t need my sympathy, but man, brother, I can´t watch one vídeo like this one and shut up, just can´t, LOL !!! You rock mister, but I already new that, LOL LOL !!! Abraço ... ESPECTÁCULO !!!

[@CriticalRider]

Eh eh, obrigado!

[@sylphil51]

Great series of videos which are helping make a decision on the bike.

[@CriticalRider]

Glad you enjoy it

[@Bowlin01]

Another great video, some lovely scenery thank you. Now done just under 3k miles on my new GT, I too have 'approved' it, but will have to get an aftermarket screen or MRA vario 'lip' for the top. I find myself agreeing with everything you have said about the bike so far. I've installed the R&G fender extender and I'm waiting for someone to produce a rear hugger.

[@robjax4394]

Great vids and helpful as I'm contemplating a the very same bike in the same colour looks amazing and thanx for vid hope you post more and give us an update Rob

[@BMWRRT-lr2fd]

Yes, I can confirm that it is a really nice motorbike!. I was so lucky to ride with you in the Harz mountains just a week after. I can still remember a couple of curvy roads which we rode a little bit fast, well too fast if I can say that !. . . . It was really great ! Looking forward to ride again with you soon!

[@CriticalRider]

Too fast?! I didn't get any speeding tickets, unlike others... :D Also, I'm going so slow I'm the only one looking at the landscape. Nobody else saw the waterfalls!!

[@KingSarathos]

I think I may have seen every video out there on the Tracer 900 GT. I'm fresh off an MSF course in the state of Texas, but my instructor said I would get used to the 900 quickly, so long as I took my time with it. It's a gorgeous bike. Hopefully I can ride through Europe as well someday...

[@CriticalRider]

If you keep it in B mode it's pretty tame, you won't fear it until you get used to it.

[@sirikulsomsuwan]

Thank you for updates & reviews, it’s helped me decide to buy the GT....same colour as yours!

[@CriticalRider]

Congratulations!

[@lpete531]

I been waiting for your opinion, nice video, great to see you enjoyed the GT. Be waiting for the next review ✌️👍

[@yvesplessers149]

Nice video ! ! Excellent Q ! Good info ! ! Keep it coming ! !

[@duncanblanchard334]

Nice update, I’m still touring Spain with my GT and it’s getting better, vibrations still there on foot pegs. I think the screen is pretty useless for most people, not enough adjustment. The colour screen is readable in all weather, but digits are too small for me, looks cheap compared to a triumph/ Ducati’s.Quickshifter keeps missing gear sometimes which can be quite scary. Fuel gauge useless, have to use trip meter to keep an eye on fuel levels, about 185 to a tank on hard riding.Seat breaking in slowly but ok for me. Leans over a long way before side stand takes weight, feels like bike will fall over. Not sure if it’s a keeper yet. Thanks for the video 👍👍

[@CriticalRider]

You should get rid of it if you are not fully happy. However... it looks cheap because it's cheap!! Have you seen the prices on Triumphs and Ducatis? What do you expect? It's great value for money, it means it does a lot for what it costs. It doesn't mean it's perfect, perfection costs a lot of money and Yamaha is not in that game. Also, this engine is far superior to Triumph's and Ducati's, and that's a fact.

[@endurobrapps4311]

Liking the videos I’ve been following your transition from the 900 to the 900GT . I hope to secure a deal with a shop this week for mine

[@tonybertalan1997]

Thank you for the review! Picking mine up here soon in Central Florida!

[@CriticalRider]

Cool, enjoy!! Too bad there's no twisties in Florida though...

[@davideccles1617]

Brilliant another great video

[@CriticalRider]

Thanks!

[@MOTOUK1]

Nice to see they improved a bit the tracer niggles! Miss my Tracer but do like the MT10SP power over my old tracer. Wish they would make a 160bhp tracer

[@CriticalRider]

An MT-10 Tracer would sell like crazy!

[@tooresttrikie6744]

give BMW S1000XR a run for its money? especially if a fair bit cheaper, but just as fast and with a bigger tank than MT10 so it can tour, say 20 litres minimum?

[@CriticalRider]

18L tank, you get close to 300 km per tank, plus reserve, when touring. Not bad at all.

[@tooresttrikie6744]

17L according to specs on the MT10, but 20 would be better don't you think? then perhaps about 350 km? anyway there's now an MT10 Tourer so that's instead of the Tracer name being linked to it! panniers included btw! look it up, I have it on the UK Yamaha site!

[@CriticalRider]

The MT-10 uses A LOT more fuel than the Tracer, I have a friend who has one and he can't get more than 150 km out of a tank, riding at the same pace as me. It's not an option for touring. 20 L is a lot, you're getting into FJR territory with such a big tank. It gets heavy, unstable, looks ugly...

[@JakubNvk]

Beautiful roads. Thanks for the video!

[@CriticalRider]

You're welcome.

[@idamsidamha]

Love your videos bro..👍

[@mistery00t29]

What a beautiful country!

[@CriticalRider]

Yes, it's a nice region.

[@irongt900]

Nice video critical rider. Nice informations for tracer gt keep riding with safety of course. I think i am going to buy it too..😉

[@CriticalRider]

You won't regret it!!

[@Hellishrider]

Hell yeah brother!! Know the roads pretty well and it is an awesome ride!!! Need to do this together some time ;) \m/

[@CriticalRider]

It's the same route we did a few months earlier, when it was raining.

[@damijano2189]

The Tracer GT this is my dream . But the price is to high for me at the moment. So for now my fzs 1000 must make me happy for a few years :)

[@neilcook8774]

Did you get the gt?

[@andybull4903]

Extremely enjoyable video! From the ride to the beautiful scenery shots, even the music. Perfect 👌. Love the look of the GT. That blue 😍. Keep up the good work 👍

[@CriticalRider]

Thanks!

[@robertlambke8260]

Great videos - I'm always checking to see if there are new ones! One question - near the end of this video you mention that your new Tracer isn't as "explosive" as your 2015 was. You feel that Yamaha "neutered" the new bike a bit. Care to elaborate on that point? I am currently very seriously considering a GT, but would want to know if this was a real backwards step in your opinion or not. Thanks!

[@CriticalRider]

It's not a big thing, the power is there, it's just a smoother delivery. I edited out a lot of what I said from the video (otherwise it would be one hour) but the 2015 was very brute, and very annoying especially mid-corner, so this one has that problem fixed - but on a straight line it was fun to have a kick in the but for 0.1 seconds, which isn't there any more. Oh well, it's still a ridiculous engine and bike. Enjoy your new GT!!

[@TopBabyWOW]

💝Good job!💝Happy Valentine's day.💝Amazing video!!!!!

[@CCitis]

I haven't found a perfect seat for a motorcycle yet either... My current ride is shockingly good though, and I never expected it to be. Good Music choice. I will have to bump that next time I am riding. I would have to consider the Tracer in the future... but I get torn between the Strom 1000, Versys 1000 and the FJ.

[@avrc9285]

i realize that this is posted a year ago, but wanted to say that I enjoyed your video, and would appreciate a longer term review of the tracer. Did you eventually go down the route of full system exhaust and ecu remap/flash or anything similar? Also, what is your take on the suspension is it sufficient for some more "spirited" riding as well? ride safe

[@CrazyIQ]

Cool video. I am checking my piggy bank to see if I should break it sooner to get me a tracer GT as well :) Would you happen to know if the dash dims or does another trick to make it readable, but not blinding, during evening/night rides? Thanks.

[@CriticalRider]

The dash has a luminosity sensor and dims or brightens according to the lighting conditions. It also switches automatically to night mode based on that sensor (although I have mine set to night mode all the time, looks cooler). All of these settings are adjustable on the menus (brightness, sensitivity, mode).

[@goncaloruivo9594]

Nice comparison between the two, really enjoy your realist reviews ! Nice ! , mas por onde andas,deixaste os vídeos e reviews? Quando estiveres pela nossa Estrelinha de 2000m havemos de nos cruzar!! Hope that you decide to kèep on going !!! All the best Abraço

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

I find comfort seats a waste of money , get your stock seat modified to suit your weight , etc. I do this with all my bikes ( with the exception of my Benelli 1130 trek ( its the only seat I have never had to modify ) Love your reviews on the 900 GTT Tracer ( keep them coming and let me know if there is any issues. As I properly going to Buy one. Paul from Australia out.

[@CriticalRider]

This is the first time I owned a comfort seat. It is pretty good, and it is a heated seat, so I recommend this one.

[@frankstocker5475]

Hey thank you for the very nice video, great footage nice editing. I got my tracer GT last week, been doing a couple of mods, Crash bars & Turn safe system for the indicators. Still, on stock tiers need to decide between the Battlax T30 or Metzler 01. I'm looking at an MRA spoiler for the screen. Briant in France do a nice seat but they are on holiday for July/ August. At the moment it's too hot to ride during the day so I'm preparing for a camping trip up in the Alpes where it's a little cooler. Keep the videos coming I will send a couple of photos when the work is done. Regards, Frank.

[@MOTOUK1]

How you getting on with the Tracer? Not seen a video for a while

[@CriticalRider]

I rode quite a bit with it already but time for videos is very short, unfortunately. You can see me riding at HellishRider's channel, he's a buddy I ride with quite often and he uploads videos of our rides.

[@jamesbrace3212]

Beautiful scenery! Are you gonna do a long term review on your gt? I'm planning on buying a new bike in the spring here in the United States. I have narrowed it down to 3 bikes including the Tracer gt.

[@zakmilas]

Nice video Critical Rider I just bought a 900 GT 2019 model I saw that you had bags for the panniers, what kind and size is it? Thanks

[@Marcel_C5]

those are fjr bags

[@denisdezan1309]

1:07 that is what bikes are for in traffic :)

[@Motovibes91]

Try the Puig racing screen I put it on my 900GT and finally no turbulence anymore only clean air. Ofcourse when it gets colder I can always swap it for a large touring screen. The original Yamaha screen is just awful

[@CriticalRider]

I use the Puig touring screen nowadays, in the summer I swap it with the Yamaha original.

[@craigschaffer828]

Nice review!

[@CriticalRider]

Thanks

[@kevinroberts2395]

I note you haven't replaced the screen. I have had a test ride and find it is completely useless. I loved everything about the GT except the seat and the screen. I currently own a Honda ST 1300 so perhaps spoiled. I'm looking for a lighter sub 1000cc tourer. Watching from Australia. Thanks for your posts.

[@CriticalRider]

I have replaced it in the meantime with a Puig Touring. I still use this one in the summer, to get some fresh air.

[@kevinroberts2395]

@@CriticalRider Do the hand guards hit the Puig screen on your new Tracer? If so, is it possible to put a spacer behind the 2 top mounting bolts to push the top of the screen slightly further forward? ( more upright screen)

[@CriticalRider]

@@kevinroberts2395 they don't hit, it's well designed.

[@t0malito404]

how much km did your roadsmarts 3 last? did u have any problems with them? i have them for about 3000 km and i dont really feel comfortable on the rain with them, other than that they seem ok..

[@CriticalRider]

Lasted about 12000 km, front was still ok. I had no problems with them and I really liked the way the gripped in the wet, I'm surprised you don't feel the same.

[@footpathjunkies1051]

Is there any buzz in the bars or pegs ? Hear conflicting reports, really want one of these

[@CriticalRider]

Nothing out of the ordinary, a little bit on the pegs at around 110 km/h and nothing in the bars. I've never tried a bike that doesn't buzz somewhere, and this one is a smooth bike - meaning the buzz I feel is even less than what I would consider acceptable. Try a F800GS, that's a buzzer! Also, you can replace the footpegs with the ones from the FJR, which have rubber top and should filter any buzz.

[@feliciadevries8209]

Bro where are you? Im picking mine up thuesday!!!

[@magneto675]

hi keep up the good job! so does the new model wobbles like the old one?

[@CriticalRider]

No, it's much better.

[@izabelabedkowska8621]

I would like to ask about insects on the paint. Can you show a any photo? The color is great, but are not greasy stains after insects? I once had a matte helmet and it was not a good choice because of the greasy stains of insects.

[@CriticalRider]

I washed the bike after this ride and was very surprised how easy it is to wash!! I'm even thinking of making a video about it. Because the paint is not smooth, the insects don't stick so much. It is very easy to wash and doesn't leave any markings. Much easier than my previous Lava Red!!!

[@arryt3912]

Hi there! I had a 2015 tracer 900 but got rid of it as the fuelling was awful. Has that been sorted for the GT? Got a Triumph street triple r now and I love it. I liked the Tracer but it was let down by the fuelling in my opinion. Nice video, thanks

[@CriticalRider]

Yes, the fueling is now smooth, probably the most noticeable difference from the 2015.

[@froehlcj]

This was already solved on the 2017

[@CraznessTV]

I saw some of your old vid, why didn't you transfer your akrapovic exhaust from your old tracer 900 to the GT ?

[@CriticalRider]

I haven't had the time yet, will do it over the winter.

[@erolkurt9789]

Nice videos! But it's been a while you posted a video. Any news? I consider to buy one but wanted to know if there are any problems for the rider with the pannier foot pegs since they are lowered about 3 cm.

[@pedroat750]

Nice ride! Just my opinion, i would love to hear the music of the 3 cylinder ;-)

[@CriticalRider]

Yes, I know, but the way the microphone was set up only catches wind noise. I need to plug it to the external recorder and stash it away from the wind. Next time :-)

[@laexh]

I have a 2016, and the 3 cylinder sound with stock pipe its very nice. I like it

[@thequaxum]

How do you like it over the older tracer? IS the gear 6 the same?

[@CriticalRider]

Yes, no change in gearing.

[@thequaxum]

@@CriticalRider I mean is the power of the gear 6 the same? I feel that the gear 6 feels very restricted. Did the older tracer feel like that too?

[@davideccles1617]

Where are you Critical Rider you’ve been quiet?

[@CriticalRider]

Dealing with life. Also, getting ready for a big big trip, might record a video on it this weekend.

[@cruisingthethaiway6881]

The stock seat on my 2019 Tracer 900 GT is horrible. I hear everybody says the confort seat is not much better. So I bought the kit from Seat Concepts. It is a big improvement! I highly recommend Seat Concepts. Com

[@CriticalRider]

I find the Yamaha Comfort seat very good, don't feel any need to change.

[@oliverrevilo7654]

Any vibrations in the handlebar?

[@CriticalRider]

Not really.

[@Obywatel_RP8P]

Great vid. That wobble issue. You checked that one week later but with panniers? Am I right?

[@CriticalRider]

Yes, with panniers.

[@Paolokio]

Very nice video.... I think yamaha has improved the tracer a lot with version 2018. Do you think he has lost agility in tight turns?

[@CriticalRider]

No, it's as agile as before!!

[@christoszergkas2362]

Hello friend ! I want to paint my helmet phantom blue (like tracer 900gt) Can you tell me the colour code please?

[@Mattiasddd]

Is it easy to maintain the matt blue color?

[@CriticalRider]

Yes, no problems at all so far. Also, I think the bugs stick less to the matt paint, so it's pretty easy to clean.

[@DriveLongRoad]

Prüm is not a City, Prüm is a Kuhkaff. ;)

[@CriticalRider]

What is that?

[@DriveLongRoad]

village left behind ;)

[@dawoodahmad6142]

Hey brother great roads. Be safe out there Quick question I am 5'9 185 lbs How is the screen ? Noisy ? Any protection on the hwys? I am still waiting for this bike to arrive in Canada.

[@CriticalRider]

I'm 5'8 and the screen is not tall enough for long (multiple days) rides. I'm waiting for Puig to launch their touring screen and I'll replace it for sure. It is better than the previous one, though.

[@fauzimnoor3430]

what is the measurement from top to bottom of stock screen? looks similar to the length of previous design

[@kkhalifah1019]

How many KMs out of that 18-litre tank?

[@CriticalRider]

The maximum I've done with the previous bike was 308 km. Even then, I only managed to put 14.77 litres to fill her up again.

[@kkhalifah1019]

Awesome. That's very promising as a commuter & tourer!

[@gyulahorvath6069]

Hi, the tank lamp start approx. 310-320 km, and you have 50-70 km to refill the tank.

[@gyulahorvath6069]

I bought my new Tracer GT yesterday (same blue like your), and tell me please, that is it fit the givi st602 on this Tracer tank or not? Thanks.

[@CriticalRider]

Congratulations!! Yes, the ST602 will fit perfectly, nothing changed in the tank in the new version.

[@Praveen-zn6yq]

Thanks for sharing your ride. How is the heat from this engine? I’m coming from riding V-Twin and one of the reason I wish to change to parallel twin or triple is heat radiating from v-twin rear cylinder. I’m in Australia and it gets hot here in summers... during daily commuting at stop lights it gets uncomfortable on V-twin.

[@CriticalRider]

No heat from the pipes, but you feel a bit from the engine - if you move your feet outward by half a foot peg, that's gone as well. I had a '04 R1, with a single pipe running next to the leg, in Lisbon. Now that's hot!!

[@kkhalifah1019]

V-Strom 650?

[@davideccles1617]

Your inner bags for the panniers, are they a Yamaha product?

[@CriticalRider]

Yes, they're from my old FJR. Yamaha still sells a slightly different design, part number is 1MC-INBAG-SC-00.

[@davideccles1617]

Thanks for the Info

[@Melskeh]

Maasbracht gezien en de A2 tunnel onder Maastricht... Kom je uit Limburg

[@CriticalRider]

Ik woon in een dorp bij Eindhoven

[@MotoVrumm]

Nice one!! So the buffering from the screen is not totally solved? I'm 1.80 and I had issues with wind that comes from the screen direct on top of the helmet and is shakeing my had like a bad thing. Maybe a deflector on the top of the screen may solve the problems?? Thanks. I want to see more videos with the bike and how is on the next trips. I want to buy one and I have in my mind a trip to Nordkap with my future wife :) and I need to know if is the proper bike or not. Thanks

[@CriticalRider]

It's better than the previous one, but not perfect. A deflector is probably enough to get it sorted.

[@Aut-Pax-Aut-Bellum]

I had the same issue when I test rode the new Tracer (I’m also 1.8m - seems a bad height for the bike!). Yamaha do a larger/taller screen for it, but I think it ruins the looks a little. It’s the only major criticism I had of the bike when I rode it - buffeting was worse than my MT07, which doesn’t even have a screen!

[@MotoVrumm]

Adam Wilson I have a naked bike and have no issues. Drive one day 1300km and all wind into my head, but is better to have all the wind into the helmet, than only a little bit on the top,that is cause the buffering and the movements of the helmet.

[@epiphonesg007]

Offcourse the MT07 has no buffeting problems, it's a naked bike. Every naked bike doesn't have buffeting problems because the airstream is 'clean'.

[@MotoVrumm]

epiphonesg007 yes I know naked bike have no problems but you get all the wind into the helmet and body, there is no doubt. But when you have a tall protection screen, if is not good wind protection and you have buffering too, you might have no protection at all because I preferred to have all wind into my cheating and had them have buffering into my halmet and a lot of noise during a trip. I made a trip for about 2800km in 2 days with any wind protection (Aprilia Shiver 750) and it was kinda "ok" but I think if during those km I would have some buffering like I had when trying the Tracer last year, probably I wold brake the screen off during the trip :))

[@IanTed]

Try a Puig screen, brilliant on my GS....

[@CriticalRider]

I had one on my previous Tracer. I'm waiting for them to launch one for this bike (it's listed on their website as "under development").

[@greenjazzer5140]

why kill engine sounds with background music?????

[@laexh]

What about the riding position? Did it improve?

[@CriticalRider]

The handlebars are narrower, so you sit slightly more upright. I don't really notice the difference. But was there anything wrong with the previous riding position?

[@jmackd1]

i just bought one this week coming from a suzuki v strom 1000.....engine is alot smoother and a lot peppier! Wonder why it sez in the manual to take it to the yamaha dealer to adjust the handlebars? and what do they do that i can't?

[@laexh]

Critical Rider. For me the sitting position was not as up right as other bikes I have had. I come from multipurpose like tenere xt660z, where de upright position was very comfortable, specially for tall people like me. I'm 1.91 mts. With the FJ09 I have to lean forward a bit. I heard that the new tracer 900 improved the sit position, that's why my question

[@barondavis5692]

I wonder how it compares to a Triumph Tiger 800 XRt? Anyone?

[@CriticalRider]

I tried the Triumph 3 years ago, before getting my first Tracer. It was a huge disappointment, there is no way I would be able to smile on a Triumph after trying the Tracer - the engine is just from a different galaxy!!

[@stephendavis1799]

Interesting, I got a 2016 XRt and was thinking about a Yamaha, but we can't get the Tracer till the fall in the US. I thought my only choice was a Fj09. I wan't impressed with the fit n finish or the wind noise. Maybe I should have waited.

[@davideccles1617]

Who’s singing at the beginning

[@CriticalRider]

Song: Call Me (feat. Lilianna Wilde) Artist: Le Malls

[@feliciadevries8209]

Stil alive 👀

[@CriticalRider]

What do you mean?

[@feliciadevries8209]

Critical Rider havnt seen you for Some time now

[@CriticalRider]

Felicia De Vries been very busy, unfortunately.

[@vincentcausey8498]

One point - please do away with that annoying music. I want to hear the sound of the engine!

[@CriticalRider]

There's no engine sound, only wind noise (hence the music).