Yam MT-09 Tracer test ride

Well, my patented hangover cure seemed to be working so I was on the road at 9.30am on the dot, courtesy of Skellerns, Cheltenham. Nick had loaned me the Tracer ’til 2pm so I took the scenic route home via Coombe Hill, Corse, Ledbury, Ross: now my default route from Cheltenham.
Radar had recommended that I try this 900 triple as some of his mates had been so impressed with their test rides that that they’d bought one.
So, first impressions: certainly looks nice enough – quite compact except for the taller-optioned screen. The rack was perfect for strapping on my overnight stuff and the Yam was typically simple to start (standard modes chosen for the test ride, as usual). A little taller than the Triumphs but as the Tracer is so light and nimble I found that the lack of heels on the ground was not a problem.

Yamaha Tracer

The engine seemed a bit buzzy, and there was noticeable vibration: sounded a bit like a 125cc, so I must admit that I was initially a bit disappointed. But it was very easy-steering, with good gear selection and nice fuelling, so I soon started warming to the compact little thing.
I kept trying to find another gear, not used to the high-pitched engine note, until I noticed the gear notification on the very comprehensive digital speedo. It would pull comfortably from 3000 revs in top but still seemed a little basic compared to the European marques that I’d ridden recently, and a bit tinny compared to my heavier, louder TDM.
But after a few miles I realised the bleedin’ obvious: the Tracer just wants to be revved. So I dropped down a couple of cogs and kept the motor in the 5,000 – 10,000 section of the (digital) rev counter. Now it made sense: the high-pitched howl of the triple still sounded like a two-stroke but in a good way. And it does shift.

Compact but well-equipped…

After a pit-stop at Lydbrook, Debs leapt aboard and immediately liked the high, comfortable pillion position. We took the reverse route back to Cheltenham: it’s a good mix of country A & B roads with twisties and straights, potholes and ripples. The suspension was a bit hard, but can presumably be adjusted – it certainly wasn’t bad enough to trouble my still-strapped elbow. Debs also liked her view of the very clear speedo – she was able to point out exactly how fast I was going…. hmmmm.

Two-up the bike was even more stable through the bends and still accelerated well. When I stopped to ask Debs what she thought, she just said: ‘This bike is fun!’. And there we have it: my initial reservations had receded and we were having a blast – the Tracer comes into its own when ridden hard. Debs said I was riding it like a sportsbike – but I can’t see why you’d want to do anything else with it.

Tracer

One of Skellerns’ staff toured Wales on a Tracer and returned 72.1mpg with luggage & pillion and I’m sure they had a great time. I still got 54mpg scratching back roads so I can see the attraction of this bike: under £9k for a compact, versatile and well-equipped bike that does anything you want except go off-road. Exactly like the opposition but cheaper.

Cheap, economical and great fun!

Amongst others, the Tracer will appeal to rev-junkies with two-stroke oil in their blood and an addiction to fun….. 

Thumbs up from us both!