I think it is ugly.
Chris
Chris
2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
- Thread starter paulcb
- Start date
Throw your leg over one and take it for a spin! I know my "Fudge" ain't the purdiest bike, but it puts a big-ol' grin on my face when I ride it!!
+1 When I was looking at the tracer I took a look at the Tiger 800xtr as well thinking the displacement of both is actually quite close and they are both triples so should be similar... but nooooo... the Tiger may stir your soul for off road adventures.... but the tracer just stirs your soul... period... just my opinion of course.
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
Orange is nice. Bags are ugly and weirdly mounted imo.
Personally I hope Yamaha brings in the T Max 560. Thinking when I wear out my FJR I'll be ready for a big scooter
Personally I hope Yamaha brings in the T Max 560. Thinking when I wear out my FJR I'll be ready for a big scooter
You can wear out an FJR??
ReSTored
Site Supporter
I don't know the spec very well for the 2020, but up here it's about $14,000 ($10,690 US) in round numbers and the 2021 is $17,000 ($12,980 US). Aside from the fact that country pricing seems to favor Canada here, are the changes to the 2021 worth $3,000 CAN or $2,290 US? Looks like a very large increase in cost.
Weight and size aside 2021 FJR ES is $19,800 ($15,120 US). Seems like a pretty small price gap in 2021 for a Tracer GT vs. and FJR ES, <$3,000 CAN.
I did sit on a new 2020 a few weeks ago and weight difference compared to my ST was amazing. Dealer had a lightly used (<10,000 km) 2019 that was priced at around $12,000 ($9,160 US) and that now seems like a steal looking at 2021 prices.
Weight and size aside 2021 FJR ES is $19,800 ($15,120 US). Seems like a pretty small price gap in 2021 for a Tracer GT vs. and FJR ES, <$3,000 CAN.
I did sit on a new 2020 a few weeks ago and weight difference compared to my ST was amazing. Dealer had a lightly used (<10,000 km) 2019 that was priced at around $12,000 ($9,160 US) and that now seems like a steal looking at 2021 prices.
Jambriwal
2016 ST1300PA
Weight reduction appealing for my arthritic joints but some may be too light for the Super Slab with 70 mph Semi's or constant cross winds.
I would say there's not enough to make the move if you already have a pre-2021 tracer ... if you have an FJ-09... maybe a greater benefit.
Electronic and better suspension alone can cut the difference in half. The bike will have longer legs give the increased tank size and efficiency. That's a big thing for me, heck I wish mine just had 6 or even 5.5 gallons... it's 4.8... ridden calmly you can get past 200 miles but 'ridden calmly' is the real problem lol
The FJR is still a big heavy bike and most knock off 100lbs by going to a lighter bike and then knock off another 100lbs by going to a tracer/versys 650/vstrom 650/Tiger 900...etc...
The Tiger 900 GT is a nice option but Triumph dealers around here don't deal at all... they start at MSRP... the Yamaha dealers start way below that and match lower pricing around the country as well and that's a tough thing to beat.
I see it both ways.. a light bike might dance around some but a heavy bike gets pushed around as well... I think the more plastic it has is more of an issue. My tracer is more solid in cross wind and semis than my STs/Wings or even Super Ten was... the Super Ten was pretty good too. You're still talking 500lbs + luggage + YOU... lol
Where does this crowd stand on shaft vs chain drive for these bikes?
OP
OP
To start, I don't own a chain drive touring bike. But, from what I've read, these o-ring style chains last at least 20-25k with little to no maintenance. I used to say no-way to a chain drive touring bike, but my thoughts have changed based upon what I've read and heard from riders actually touring with them. They're obviously not as maintenance free as a shaft, but weigh a LOT less and you have the ability to change sprockets to knock down cruising RPMs if you so desire.
I used to fear them... but, by doing so limits your options of some great bikes and they are very reliable... you know when a chain is at it's end of life as it slowly wears... a shaft drive can fail with little notice ... modern chains don't even need much lube... I'll spray mine down at the end of the day and that's it... whether that's a 200 or 1000 mile day. Some shaft drives are good for 300k miles but some, might fail for some odd reason at 20-50k... my last ST1300 had a bad u-joint at 50k and I was lucky I caught it in the garage vs on a trip.'
In the end, you have to wrap your head around whether you want to entertain a chain bike. You either do or don't.
They are many x-ring chains now so the technology keep changing there too. My tracer had an odd issue with the oem DID chain and so I replaced it at 6k miles w/EK chain w/screw master link and it's gone 6k miles and still looks new and so do the sprockets. At 20k I'll probably replace and then just do it every 20k unless I see odd wear.
You loose horsepower w/shaft so a chain is a much more efficient transfer of power and also cheaper to manufacture and replace.
But I have to look at it while walking to it. I think the current model is better looking. And those side cases? They look like someone didn't attach them right and they are about to fall off.
Chris
OP
OP
Yeah, those side cases look pretty bad... like someone ran into the back of it. Still, I'm going to look seriously at one, just not sure there's an extra $2k worth of stuff that interests me... the lighting and extended range are definite pluses for me, not sure what else is when compared to the 2020 version. Will be interested to hear if the new radial front MC makes much of a difference.
I agree with that... I don't even like the current model side bags, I'm planning on putting on some Givi Dolomiti bags instead, top loading and larger capacity.
Also look at the tiger 900 gt... 55mpg rated and slightly larger tank... should get to 250 miles ... just not the same engine character and they don't like to deal at all... of course, it does look a heck of a lot better.
OP
OP
For a variety of reasons, I'd rather stick with a Honda or Yamaha.
Yeah, that was part of my reasoning as well... there's a couple guys on the NT site with the 800 and 900 and so far they like them a lot... but, time will tell... You never did go test ride a Tracer did ya? he he he...
OP
OP
No test rides... yet. Looks like I need to wait until April.