Yamaha MT-09 Tracer
Yamaha MT-09 Tracer
A Trace of Genius
By Mat Durrans, The Bike Show
It used to be that if you were in the market for a middleweight triple-cylinder bike you had to head off to your local Triumph dealership. More recently the choice was improved dramatically when MV Agusta started building its many, many models around the 675 and 800cc three-cylinder motors.
These European manufacturers are not the only brands with some three-pot history, Yamaha has had plenty of success in decades gone pasty with this engine format – if you’re old enough you may remember the XS 750 and 850’s that marked the end of the 1970’s.
Yamaha’s MT-09 Tracer is a very close relative of the bike that came before it, the completely naked MT-09. That first arrived in South Africa back in 2014 and immediately made a big impression on me. It’s my sort of bike, with a gutsy engine, naked looks (I like to see a bike’s engine on display) a decent handling package and a tempting mix of practicality and thrills.
Barely more than a year later and that model was followed by the Tracer, a logical progression to a more touring and comfortable commuting role thanks to the one glaringly obvious update: a half-fairing.
If you really liked the ingredients of the MT-09 but just couldn’t handle the thought of no wind protection on long trips, this bike is the answer to your woes. Looks can be deceiving though, because once you’re riding there’s a lot more worth noticing.
Though I soon became an avowed fan of the MT-09, I’m not so blind that I couldn’t see its faults. The engine, though entertainingly grunty suffered from slightly snatchy fueling, the suspension was a touch on the soft and soggy side and the looks were neither here nor there. Close, but no cigar. Worthy, but not quite good enough to justify all the pre-launch hype.
The Tracer perhaps learned from this and so was considerably less shouty about its arrival on the South African scene, the way it slipped into the market is more thief in the night than belle of the ball. Perhaps it was worried that it, too, might prove to be something of a disappointment?
It really needn’t have been concerned, if ever a bike was set up to surprise and delight, it is this. There might be nothing much more than an extra bit of (good looking) fairing and a bigger fuel tank slapped on to the bike it’s based upon, but somehow these minor additions and some even more minor tweaks in other areas have conspired to produce a quite superb all-rounder.
The Tracer is easily one of the best of the sport-tourers on the market today; take its more than competitive R140 000 price into account and there’s no doubt in my mind that it can stand tall amongst what is an eclectic mix of class contenders.
The engine is now perfectly civilised with a nigh-on perfect throttle response in all conditions; the three different riding modes encompass an emasculated 95hp B mode (for rain), a standard 115hp mode and a sportier A mode that doesn’t increase power but does liven up the immediacy of the engine’s response to any throttle input.
The power delivery is punchy through the midrange and more than lively enough at the top end to have you regularly hunting for the 11,500rpm redline.
The brakes feature radial callipers and provide not only more than enough power but plenty of feel through the front stoppers too. ABS is standard, as you’d expect, and won’t intrude on your sport riding if you stay off the back brake.
Suspension is firmer on the Tracer than the MT-09, perhaps to deal with the bit of extra weight it’s carrying and the greater likelihood of a pillion and/or luggage; but whatever the reason it’s a welcome development. It’s now more controlled, and significantly more encouraging when you start attacking your favourite twisties – it’s got the sport part of the sport-touring equation nailed.
As for the touring side of things, that’s also a success story. The riding position is roomy (with seat height adjustment) and there’s an adjustable screen that does a good job of deflecting most of the wind from average height riders.
Thoughtful additions like an auxiliary power socket (for navigation units, heated clothing etc), hand guards, proper pillion grab handles, mirrors that work even at speed and a decently-spec’d on-board computer all combine to make an already good bike great.
It’s been a while since my jaded, possibly even cynical journalist’s preconceptions have been so rudely shattered. By all rights the Tracer, given its almost humble origins, shouldn’t be quite this good.
But it is, it really is. If you want a bike that can be all things to all men, then you can’t afford to overlook Yamaha’s MT-09 Tracer.
Specs
847cc in-line 3 Power