Since 2015, the Yamaha Tracer 9 has been on the market, having already been designated by various names. Now it seems to have been definitively baptized and is undoubtedly better than ever. And it was on the roads of Sardinia that we had the first contact with the brand new Tracer 9GT +.
The metamorphosis of names over the past few years in the Tracer has caused a lot of strangeness for some, but in 2021 with the denomination Tracer 9, Yamaha seems to have decided on the definitive name for this sport touring. In 2021, it launches the first GT version, with side cases, semi-active electronic KYB suspension, and some extras that enhance it as a touring motorcycle relative to the base version. For 2023, the Japanese brand not only presented the Tracer 9 and Tracer 9GT in its catalog, but also the Tracer 9GT +, which clearly indicates that there is something more.
The base is the same in all three “sisters,” but each one has its peculiarities, with the GT and GT + clearly more tailored for long trips, with the latter offering a technological arsenal that not only targets those who want to travel comfortably, but also those who seek to push the bike to the limit of sportiness, making it possible to cover both spectrums of this duality of purposes found in this model.
THREE OUT OF PHASE INLINE
It is impossible to talk about this motorcycle without highlighting the famous and acclaimed CP3 engine that equips it. It is one of the most important engines for Yamaha at the moment, and has been a huge success in recent years. Now with 890 cc and compliant with EURO5 regulations, this engine has 119 hp and a torque of 93 Nm at 7,000 rpm, which allows for an extremely smooth ride in the city and at lower speeds. The linearity of the Japanese brand’s three-cylinder engine can even replicate the smoothness of a four-cylinder engine, offering similar torque to a twin-cylinder engine. At cruising speeds on highways, the engine is full and presents few vibrations, but offers a fantastic intake and exhaust sound – something that has been worked on and improved by Yamaha – even with all the pollution restrictions. But being a sport touring motorcycle, we also expect it to have a more sporty side, and we know well what this CP3 is capable of in that regard, since it is the same engine that equips the MT-09 and the XSR 900. And the Dark Side of Japan is also very present in this Tracer 9 GT+.
From 7,000 rpm, the character of the engine changes, as well as the sound, to inform us that we are unleashing all the caged potential. The different riding modes help make this happen, with Sport mode (which also has Street, Rain, and Custom modes) being the one where we feel the change in sound and character of the engine most strongly, and also the one that allows us to fully explore the 119 hp, due to the increased sensitivity of the throttle and a more pronounced power curve – although in Street mode the same power is available, but with a different and more linear power curve. But this potential is clearly amplified by a range of technology and a chassis that has not been neglected by Yamaha at all.
TOURING OR SPORTY?
It is a pertinent question considering what we were able to do on the curves of the roads in Sardinia. Despite all its potential as a touring motorcycle – with an almost infinite range of features that justify it – the Tracer 9 GT + drove us to “madness” (or to commit madness) on winding roads. The potential for a more sporty driving experience on this motorcycle is extremely high, and with the company of the CP3 engine and all the technological aids, we are quickly riding beyond what we thought was reasonable before sitting on the bike. In addition to the excellent semi-active Kayaba suspensions, which provide us with very clear feedback from the road, the traction control and slide control systems are constantly adapting to our pace and driving style to meet our needs of extracting a little more from what the Tracer 9 GT + has to offer. Now, with the bidirectional Quick Shifter that allows gear shifts both on acceleration and deceleration, it is impossible not to want to work the gearbox and hear the electronics in action. However, the best part of all this is the fact that we never felt limited by the electronics, feeling exactly the opposite and realizing that it was helping us to extract more from the motorcycle.
WHAT DOES “MORE” MEAN?
The plus sign in this model clearly indicates that there is something more in this Tracer that we do not find in the other two variants. And this sign could be represented by the letter T – for technology – or G – for gadget. The differentiating factor in this model is undoubtedly the technology, which, as usual with Japanese manufacturers, is added to their motorcycles after many tests and almost certainties that it will work and be helpful rather than a problem. The focus of attention on the technological aspect is undoubtedly the new radar system that allows the introduction of adaptive cruise control and assisted braking. Starting with adaptive cruise control, we can say that it works well and quite intuitively. In addition to slowing down the motorcycle – with engine braking and braking if necessary – when detecting vehicles and accelerating after having a clear road, Yamaha has introduced an overtaking functionality that allows us to activate the left turn signal, so that the motorcycle accelerates on its own to facilitate overtaking. If a vehicle comes in the opposite direction, this acceleration is immediately interrupted.
As for the braking assistance, we were a little hesitant, but it proved to be a useful system that can be especially helpful for less experienced riders, as it makes the motorcycle more stable and easier to read. With the help of the radar, the Tracer 9GT+ will read a situation in which we are braking and, if necessary, intervene by braking more forcefully and managing the front and rear braking. And it is important to mention that this system is a braking assistance and not automatic braking. All of this is interconnected with the suspensions that adjust their stiffness and behavior based on the readings made by the motorcycle, so that its behavior is as natural as possible. And after some doubts, we can say that both in the city and in more sporty driving, the system works and during faster approaches to curves, we feel the Tracer’s “brain” trying to maintain the balance of the motorcycle in strong braking, with the help of the rear brake.
SWEET SPOT
The truth is that a few years ago, electronics often had a negative impact, with a strong intrusion that took away some of the sensations and pleasure of driving. Today, few motorcycles maintain this characteristic, offering highly sophisticated systems that amplify the pleasure of driving without taking away the feedback we need.
The Tracer 9GT + is in the sweet spot of the sport touring segment, with an extremely generous offering of technology, combined with what is necessary for the comfort of long rides and a more “wild” driving experience at high speeds. The mechanical and technological package is very well tuned, and looking at the year 2015, the evolution of this model was very, very significant. There are always areas for improvement, and the Tracer 9GT + is not perfect, but Yamaha is making an effort to make it difficult for us to criticize this motorcycle.
YAMAHA Tracer 9GT +
ENGINE 3-cylinder parallel CP3, liquid-cooled
DISPLACEMENT 890 cc
POWER 87.5 kW (119 hp) @ 10,000 rpm
TORQUE 93 Nm @ 7,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed
FRAME Aluminum Deltabox
FUEL TANK 19 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION KYB semi-active inverted telescopic fork, 41 mm stroke
REAR SUSPENSION KYB semi-active mono-shock, horizontal link, 137 mm stroke
FRONT BRAKE dual 298 mm discs, 4-piston Nissin calipers
REAR BRAKE 267 mm disc, 1-piston Nissin caliper
FRONT TIRE 120/70ZR17
REAR TIRE 180/55ZR17
WHEELBASE 1,500 mm
SEAT HEIGHT 820 mm
WEIGHT 223 kg
P.V.P. (from) 16,900€
