Yamaha Tracer 900 2020 — Specifications

Deriving the MT-09 into the 900 Tracer allowed Yamaha not only to increase the success of its spirited roadster but also to establish its footprint in a segment that is gaining vitality: Sport Touring. The Sport-GT has lived, faded away, and somewhere is reborn with sporty touring machines.

But let's return to the Tracer, which received a major overhaul in 2018. It was felt that, as it was, there was little need to change much, as the motorcycle offered so much to the user. Well-equipped, fun, touring-capable, playful, punchy, and with a most enthusiastic character, this crossover was winning everywhere, even on price. A winter makeover allows it to serenely face the coming springs.

The Tracer’s silhouette was immediately striking. A clever blend of a faired roadster and a trail bike with a good dose of aggression, the combination immediately resonated. When you have success like that, a healthy dose of caution guides the designer when it comes to retouching the lines. The style sanction isn't a slap from the boss but the public grumbling. That won't be the case. The 900 Tracer II aims to be a beautiful continuation. A touch of delicacy for the bodywork lines, a knob of butter to soften the gaze, more simplicity on the plastics and less aggression in the handguards. The Tracer is no longer a young lady but a young woman. And it suits her quite well, even if she loses some of her impudence.

Yamaha wanted to capitalize on strengths and tackled improvements to protection. Originally, the first 900 Tracer was equipped with an adjustable bubble. A commendable feature but far from flawless. The aforementioned bubble could only be adjusted when stationary, and its shape and height caused many users to experience a flapping sail noise – bordering on painful. Someone wise looked into the matter and brought improvements. Much better: the bubble adjustment system is now much more accessible, operable with one hand (requiring a bit of strength, though), and can be done at any time. The plastic screen itself has also been revised, wider and guaranteeing better protection.

You take stock, you settle in, you rediscover, you are surprised. The previous version instantly put you in a certain atmosphere, curious and stimulating. Its wide handlebar immediately made you feel like you were in control of a machine apart, with the feeling of dominating both the front end and the road itself. A significant change in the new version. The handlebar is narrower, and it is felt very distinctly. To the point that the riding position has become more natural, more... like everyone else's. Yamaha has given it more touring DNA, right down to the chassis internals. Because a Tracer whirls and is delightfully quick. The new swingarm and a 60 mm increase in wheelbase will bring it more stability. The rear damper benefits from new parameters to optimize performance. But don't expect a miracle. It's not the settings but the damper that needs to be changed. Like the MT-09 roadster, a 900 Tracer wriggles when attacked. Even if the MT has made a lot of progress in its latest version.

Let's try to exonerate the rear suspension, which must contain the assaults of the lively 847 cm3 3-cylinder engine. A delight that this engine is. A bit gruff at low revs, punchy on demand, and exhilarating to rev out, the CP3 combines qualities. It is supported by 3 specific injection maps (A for attack, Standard, and B for trailing the b...) and a 3-level traction control system.

Always ready for playful or muscular rides, this friend of all times can without hesitation set out on the assault of a large daily mileage. Yesterday, there were just two problems. 1 – the seat was as soft as my English teacher's character. 2 – The rear section was fitted with an anchor system for cases… totally useless because Yam did not sell the complementary plate to attach the luggage (in the USA, everything was planned for). It was necessary to turn to a less enjoyable soft case kit. But some must have received the appropriate baffles because everything has been revised. The anchor points for the cases are now integrated and the posterior can serenely welcome rigid removable cases (the GT version can attest to this). More elegant with their topstitching, the seats are revised in terms of comfort. The pilot's seat is still adjustable on two heights, with 5 mm more for each summit. The passenger also benefits from redesigned grips and footrests.

Besides the swingarm, the cycle part remains. A beautiful and effective perimeter aluminum frame where gravitate a 41 mm inverted fork, radial 4-piston brake calipers surrounding 298 mm discs, a braking rear system consisting of a 245 mm track with a single-piston caliper, and ABS as reinforcement. We still appreciate the little extras like the 12V socket, its particularly complete touring-style dashboard, the 18 liters of the tank to cover a long stretch of road, and the center stand – all standard.

This last sentence could have been the conclusion. Let's be more verbose with an obvious statement. The Yamaha 900 Tracer is a really good motorcycle, which Yamaha has judiciously refined. The series of improvements enhances its touring potential while the bodywork is more refined. The only shadows on the horizon are a 4 kg weight increase and only a few corrections for the damper. For sporty touring enthusiasts with a premium inclination, it is doubled by a more luxurious GT version, with cases, a color TFT screen, more comfort and electronics.

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M.B- photos constructeur