Just Stop What Your Doing and Go Buy a Yamaha Tracer 7!

[@zeonos]

I own it and its just perfect for me, lots of speed, good seating position and super handling.

[@breezeontheroadtonowhere6562]

I have a Tracer7 with 38.000 Km on the clock this bike has been already in Marokko, Greece, France, Spain and all the Countries between. Go for Tracer 7. Also is a MT-07 in my Garrage with 115.000 Km on the clock. No issues. ❤

[@peterdameter5523]

Have one . Downsized from a tech laden behemoth, I agree with your comments, less is more, go tracer 😁😁

[@DickWhistles]

Nice. From what bike distance you downsize?

[@peterdameter5523]

KTM 1290 Adv.

[@DickWhistles]

Good riddance! 😬

[@bodziobsz]

I just bought brand new tracer 7 as my first bike after passing yesterday mod 2. Just done little 100miles to test and check but I'm in full love with this bike. On cbt I've done around 8k miles over 7-8 months on varadero 125. Tracer make me massive smile every time when opening the throttle. Hoping for many miles on it. Also deal was spot on. Basic v in icon performance colours pre reg but with 2yrs warranty etc for 7k. For that kind of money I can't find anything better to be honest.

[@DickWhistles]

Congratulations. You purchased a finisher’s bike as your starter! You’ll have that forever. (Seriously, if you want a new bike, get a second one!) Good deal too. Enjoy it. Ride safe.

[@DavidSkidmore-e5t]

Totally agree did a tour of ireland and other trips with my tracer7 but it was a tad to small for me ( long legs) so I've got something even lower tech 2011 650 vstrom...👍👌

[@rsq72]

Same, have a 2010 “wee”. I’m also quite long-legged at 6’ 2”, and with lowered pegs, a givi airflow, heated grips, it’s perfect! What more do you need, besides a comfier seat? I can see an 800 replacing it eventually

[@Gmac237]

"the 17 inch front wheel means it's not too small to make it twitchy " ??? Yeah you're right that 16 inch option would have definitely made it twitchy! LoL 😂

[@DickWhistles]

Haven’t ridden many bikes have ya?

[@Mig76]

My thoughts exactly.

[@billyb6043]

Hey Dick....guess what? On the basis of your original review of Radar's Tracer 7, I went out and bought one a couple of days ago😃. I was leaning towards the new transalp, but realistically, I wouldn't use 90 HP and doubt if I'd be brave enough to take a 10 grand bike off road. I'm coming from a '16 CB500X (another excellent 'budget' bike) but wanted something with more balls. What struck me is how similar the Tracer is to the CB in terms of ergos and weight. Fit and finish look good. First ever Yamaha purchase, unless you include a TY80 when I was a kid, as I'm a self-confessed Honda fanboy. If it turns out to be a lemon (which I very much doubt) I'll hunt you down and make you ride across a heavily ploughed field on your CT, at full throttle....after a big meal🤪 Cheers for the reviews.

[@DickWhistles]

I will happily take that ride... IF... Congrats on the new bike. I know you will be happy. Glad you opted against the new Tranny. It does not live up to its name. Check out my video on it if, you haven't seen it. I was a Yamaha (still am) fanboy, but now own more Hondas than Yamahas, so have divided loyalties. Oh. And the CB500X is one of my favourite bikes of all time. You have owned two of the best motorcycles produced in the last 20 years. Good man. Thanks for the comment.

[@billyb6043]

@@DickWhistles You're more than welcome DW....in fact, I owe you another debt of gratitude, as it was your review of the CB500X, back in the day, that convinced me to go for a test ride, and the rest, as they say, is history. So on that basis, I trust your judgement. If Honda had upped the power on the new CB I would probably have chosen that over the Tracer but I guess they have a good take on the A2 target market. Couldn't fault the 2016 CB given the asking price but I did end up upgrading the suspension front and rear (Rally Raid Level 1) which transformed an already compliant bike in to a really good handling one. Just needed a few more ponies for longer distance touring, hence the new wheels! Looking forward to putting some miles on the Tracer if and when the weather picks up. Soon be Spring :)

[@szymonchalupka]

I have just bought one after years of riding other bikes full of electronics and issues like Aprilia RS660, Husky 701, KTM 790 Duke etc.

[@DickWhistles]

And?

[@szymonchalupka]

@@DickWhistles still waiting to be delivered but I was able to do a 3 hour test ride before ordering it and I felt the pure joy of riding the motorcycle that I have not felt for a long time. Can’t wait to pick it up this Saturday.

[@smallfact0ry]

Recently sold my 2022 CB500X… trying to decide what’s next. I was thinking of a tracer 9 (no tracer 7 in the USA) or the v-strom 650. A friend has an mt07 and what a gem of a motor. I also have a sv650 track bike and what a gem of a motor! You ridden the v-strom Dick?

[@DickWhistles]

Why’d you sell your CB500X? I am a huge fan of the 2018 version of that bike. I haven’t ridden the current version. I was let down by the 2019 changes. Tracer 9 is a sound bike. Obviously heavier and more tech laden than the Tracer 7, but shares the same spirit. The rider modes are actually quite useful and distinct on the 900 triple, which makes the bike more versatile than it would be unbridled. SV650. Another great bike. You’ve owned two of the best three bikes of the last 20 years (I know the SV is older). I’ve ridden the V-Strom a long time ago. Not sure if the current version is any different. The extra weight lets the engine down. Not terribly so, but I’ve also never been a fan of Suzuki components. The user experience always feels like I’m on a budget bike. So the more bits that are bolted on the 650 power plant, the more I’m repelled from it. Perhaps I am just bias. I hope this helps. Let me know what you end up getting as your new bike.

[@smallfact0ry]

@istles Thanks for the input: I knew you'd give it to me for selling the CB500X... hahaha. I thought it (CB) would be my forever bike, but much like you said about the v-strom... the motor was let down by the very heavy bike (with a few bits and bobs, the bike was almost 450-pounds). Also, I could not solve the horrible wind buffeting. I tried 3 different wind screens (short, medium, and tall) with no avail. I rode my friends MT07 and realized I could have a bike that was lighter, with a motor that made more power (not really that important to me) but also had loads of character/soul (CB500X engine is dead reliable but vacuum-cleaner-esque). Then riding my SV650 track/race bike I figured I could have that package (amazing motor) with comfort and wind protection like the CB500X. I just stick to side roads, and no highway (usually under 60mph) so maybe I'll just grab an SV650 before they disappear, install a rear rack, and try a windscreen for some wind protection. I wish Yamaha brought us the tracer-7, as it'd be the answer. Also, when I looked at the front of it, I wouldn't get sick to my stomach, like looking at the front of the MT-07.

[@DickWhistles]

The SV does have that curious vacuum behind the headlamp. Best naked bike to manage wind on the rider.

[@johna6968]

Ill never buy anything again with more than 2 cylinders and I have owned quite a few. Preferably it will have only the one cylinder though

[@DickWhistles]

This is a twin. So you’re good.

[@thodorisd365]

my height is 1,90. Will I fit the tracer 7 or should I get the tracer 9? I also live in a small island where u can't fully open the throttle. Everyone's saying that I should get the 9 gt. What should I do?

[@DickWhistles]

I’m not sure if you’d feel crunched on the 7 as tall as you are. As for the folks saying get the 9GT, they know nothing. I really can’t abide the motorcyclist that insists on buying (or advocating buying) the highest capacity bike available. It is foolish and irresponsible. If the Tracer 7 is too tall, try the T7 ADV model. That would fit like a glove and have the same performance. It was too tall for me at 1.79… Hope that helps. Let me know what you decide.

[@Mandem909]

Have you ridden an mt-07 before Dick? I'm choosing between the tracer 7 and mt 07.

[@DickWhistles]

I have (an earlier version). I prefer the Tracer, but it is fundamentally the same bike. Curiously, I have toyed with the idea of removing the windshield on the Tracer… why not just get the naked version? Who knows? I do know that the slightly higher seat on the Tracer and the further back swept bars makes a world of difference in my comfort. Hope that helps.

[@Mandem909]

@@DickWhistles it does! Thanks for the reply. I think I should test ride both back to back to get a better sense of which one is right for me.

[@DickWhistles]

If you can test them, I always suggest that. Try to get a reasonably long ride as over time you’ll get a sense of whether or not you feel cramped on either. If you are tall the Tracer will better suit with the extra leg room. If you’re really tall, neither will suit. Let me know what you decide. I’d be curious to know. Good luck.

[@CGB65]

Sure wish the Tracer 7 was sold in North America 😢.

[@DickWhistles]

It is a travesty.

[@DuggleBogey]

We don't get the Tracer 700 in the US, but we have the MT-07, would that be an equivalent?

[@johna6968]

Only different rider geometry

[@DickWhistles]

It is the same engine, transmission, suspension, swing arm and (forward) frame. The seat height is 35mm taller and the bars are swept further back to the rider. Foot pegs are in the same place. You could bring the MT-07 bars back to you with risers. The low seat may be uncomfortable over time or if you are tall. Lack of faring and windshield is obvious difference. The Tenere shares the same engine. And they offer a low version, which may positively impact the top-heaviness that makes it unwieldy. Hope this helps.

[@DickWhistles]

Huh. I stand corrected. Makes sense. I prefer the longer swing arm on the newer Tracer 9.

[@Ektoras-n2g]

I’m 5.7 feet tall. Will I be okay with the tracer 7 with that height ?

[@DickWhistles]

It will fit like a glove!

[@Ektoras-n2g]

@@DickWhistles Thanks bro

[@keddw]

Trouble is it looks like a mosquito on steroids. I can't stand modern motorbike designs

[@DickWhistles]

I like the styling. Compared to the Michael Bay Transformers junk yard most Japanese bikes are these days or the vanilla boredom that defines most of Honda’s design language, this is a Tron-esque balance of supplemented mosquito and refined sport tourer. Thanks for your comment.

[@keddw]

I get your point, but I'd rather have a retro looking thing, at least they have longevity in style. 'Modern' looking bikes now are going to be laughed at before too long. In the same way 80's or 90's fashion is laughed at today. Though they now look so childish like blown up kids toys with silly plastic fairings that cost a bomb to replace if they break or crack.😀 @I_am_Thursday