Anyone out there have one of these bikes? Thinking about getting one as a second ride to the XS. Thought I remembered somebody posting something about it. Thanks!
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Opinions: Yamaha Tracer 900GT
- Thread starter bosco659
- Start date
I have the FJ09 which was renamed to the Tracer 900. Tracer will be a couple years newer. My FJ is a 2016, I think the Tracer came out in 2019.
KILLER engine. Most fun I've ever had with my clothes on. Bone stock, it's a rush. With an ECU reflash it's even more fun.
Ergonomics are a big selling point for me, upright riding position for a 6 footer is perfect. I don't get the back and hip cramps I did on the XS.
Brakes, ABS and Traction Control are excellent in stock format. I did tweak the suspension a little to better suit my 200+ pound ass with stiffer springs and different valving in the forks and a more adjustable shock off a Kawasaki ZX.
As soon as I wore out the stock Dunlop tires, I went to Michelin Pilot Roads and that made a noticeable difference in feel. Better tire mileage too.
I run mine "naked". I removed the windshield and hand guards, partly for aesthetics but mostly to reduce buffeting and wind noise. Pretty much everybody hates the stock FJ windshield. Also the stock seat is a medieval torture device. I sprung for a Corbin.
KILLER engine. Most fun I've ever had with my clothes on. Bone stock, it's a rush. With an ECU reflash it's even more fun.
Ergonomics are a big selling point for me, upright riding position for a 6 footer is perfect. I don't get the back and hip cramps I did on the XS.
Brakes, ABS and Traction Control are excellent in stock format. I did tweak the suspension a little to better suit my 200+ pound ass with stiffer springs and different valving in the forks and a more adjustable shock off a Kawasaki ZX.
As soon as I wore out the stock Dunlop tires, I went to Michelin Pilot Roads and that made a noticeable difference in feel. Better tire mileage too.
I run mine "naked". I removed the windshield and hand guards, partly for aesthetics but mostly to reduce buffeting and wind noise. Pretty much everybody hates the stock FJ windshield. Also the stock seat is a medieval torture device. I sprung for a Corbin.
Thanks DE. All I’ve heard is good things about the bike. I was thinking about getting another vintage bike but maybe it’s time to get something to just ride and enjoy. I can save all my “tinkering time” for the XS.
I have not ridden one but support you in buying this bike! That triple is fantastic. I rode a friend's FZ-9. It was crazy fun. I was thinking about replacing my Honda 919 with the FJ09 but then bought my TX and then sold the Honda for the enduro. Please share the photos 
Will be going this week to look at a couple that are for sale locally. If something looks interesting enough I’ll post pics.I have not ridden one but support you in buying this bike! That triple is fantastic. I rode a friend's FZ-9. It was crazy fun. I was thinking about replacing my Honda 919 with the FJ09 but then bought my TX and then sold the Honda for the enduro. Please share the photos
Casull
XS650 Member
I have a Tracer GT, 2020 model. and I love it . all the goodies, heated grips , traction control , 3 modes of mapping , cruise control.
Doing a lap of Tassie in March with this.
Cheers
Craig
Doing a lap of Tassie in March with this.
Cheers
Craig
Thanks…. The ones for sale here are used, low km 2020 GT’s. There’s also a brand new ‘18 that’s not a GT, for less money than the used ones. The ‘18 is tempting because of price and factory warranty, but I’m also attracted to all the “bells an whistles” of the GT. Any thoughts on the choice?
Casull
XS650 Member
I like my bells and whistles, go the GT you will regret not having the best
Ok thx.
This is a really cool site...
I also have a 2020 Tracer, nice bike. Power is awesome. I managed to put 3,000 miles on it this year. They did quite a few updates to the 2021.
Crackers61
Crackers61
Hey Guys,
Anyone ridden the yamaha XSR 700 or 900? They also have the same engines as the MT7 and MT9.
Regards
Crackers.
Anyone ridden the yamaha XSR 700 or 900? They also have the same engines as the MT7 and MT9.
Regards
Crackers.
Went to the dealer today to see if I could swing my leg over the paniers on a 2020 Tracer. Wasn’t going to happen, so I attempted again with the side stand down, standing on the left foot peg. Success, although I didn’t look very elegant. Without riding it (approaching winter here), the riding position felt good. Nice quality on the build of the bike overall. Now it’s decision time. Do I get a modern bike that I can just hop on anytime and go for a ride, or do I get another vintage bike (been searching for a nice Suzuki GT750 Water Buffalo)? Need to decide soon because there’s a few good deals on used Tracers right now locally.
Casull
XS650 Member
I always have to stand on the footpeg to mount the bike, even my XS
LTGTR
XS650 Addict
Bosco "do i get a modern bike i can just jump on anytime".
I have exactly that - CB1000R, its a great contrast to the 2 650'S I have. It never seems to matter a lot if my old bikes are in pieces because I can always just jump on my Honda and always trust it will start. I see it completely different to my other bikes, so much so that I dont even do my own servicing on it - it doesnt interest me that way.
Regards Ray.
I have exactly that - CB1000R, its a great contrast to the 2 650'S I have. It never seems to matter a lot if my old bikes are in pieces because I can always just jump on my Honda and always trust it will start. I see it completely different to my other bikes, so much so that I dont even do my own servicing on it - it doesnt interest me that way.
Regards Ray.
Two notes:
1. I elected to delete the bags on my FJ. I don't tour at all and I'm rarely gone more than 4 hours on any given ride. Just the way I ride. A tank bag and a tail bag cover my storage needs very nicely. (Not coincidentally, it also knocked $1000 off the price.)
2. I always...ALWAYS...use the center stand. It hops up on the stand very easily and is much more stable both for parking and for mounting. Getting off takes some care as I put the side stand down and swing my leg over the tail bag before popping it up onto the center stand. Like you, I find it best to stand on the peg when mounting.
My other bike is a 2019 Suzuki DR650. I bought it new in July 2020 and it has 10,500 km on it. After I installed a permanent top case I needed to learn how to stand on the left foot peg and get on the bike that way. It doesn't have a center stand so sometimes it's a slower process than other times, depending on the surface condition where i have parked. I got used to it and it's easy now. 
I rode the FJ to an antique motorcycle show a couple of Summers ago. Free parking for motorcycles was on the grass. I didn't trust the side stand not to sink into the sod, so I tried to freeball it. Shoelace caught on the tank bag and down I went, in front of about 50 onlookers. Bike on top of me, had to have help getting up. Tres embarrassant!
When I bought my 650 V-Strom, it was a last season close out deal and it came with factory saddlebags. Here’s a photo of it when I first rode it home,
I really didn’t like how wide it made the bike, it took up too much room in my garage, so I took them off the first day I had it and sold them. I replaced it with a top box which worked perfectly for my needs. And it made the bike much narrower.
I really didn’t like how wide it made the bike, it took up too much room in my garage, so I took them off the first day I had it and sold them. I replaced it with a top box which worked perfectly for my needs. And it made the bike much narrower.
I had a top case on my Vstrom too (sold the bike this summer). Didn’t have a center stand so usually stood on the left peg to get my leg over the case.
The factory Tracer paniers are actually fairly narrow so it doesn’t make the biker super wide. They are easy to remove but the bike doesn’t look as good with them off. I’m like you Downeaster, I don’t go on long rides but find it’s nice to have storage space for and extra piece of clothing; water; food or stuff from a short shopping run. I never got into tank bags for fear of scratching the paint.
