2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT

[the Ferret]

You can wear out an FJR??

lol I'm trying!

with regards to chain drive I prefer a shaft, but my CB 1100 chain went 36,909 miles before needing replacements. Never needed adjustment on a trip and only got lubed on a trip if riddenin the rain. Rode it on separate trips to to North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas. I replaced the chain and sprockets with oem and parts and labor for that cost me $400.

When I sold my ST with 110,000 miles I never had an issue with the final drive, and it only required approx 7 oz of fluid twice a year. On the CB that would be nearly 2 1/2 sets of chains and sprockets or $1000.00

BTW my son bought an FJ09 and put the factory bags and trunk on it. He thought it was an OK bike but it didn't thrill him like he thought it would after all the magazine hype when they first came out. He kept it a year and put 13,000 miles on it and traded it in on an MT-10 which is a bit more thrilling (but gets horrible gas mileage lol)

 

[Upt' North]

Where does this crowd stand on shaft vs chain drive for these bikes?

Of course this is THE ST Forum so opinions are probably going to be predictable?
My previous bike was a CBF1000, which I don't think you got in the US of A. Basically a retuned Fireblade motor in a sports touring chassis, I was a little apprehensive at first but it proved my apprehension was misplaced.
On one 4000 + mile two up tour it needed nothing, didn't even need adjusting when we got back and this included the Alps and the Dolomites so no Interstate amble. Didn't need lubing either but the good weather probably helped.
But shaft drive is NOT maintenance free, is it?
Upt'North.

 

[paulcb]

But shaft drive is NOT maintenance free, is it?
Upt'North.

That is a good point... I clean/lube my splines and replace my final drive oil at every rear tire change, about every 20k miles. I also need to replace the three rubber o-rings at some interval, maybe every 50k miles or so. And, at some point you'll probably need to replace the u-joint. Chain vs shaft is an old discussion, both having their merits. Everything else being equal, I'd generally go with a shaft, but there are other things to consider as well to evaluate the whole package. Bottom line is you can't get a shaft on a Tracer... if you have to have one, look somewhere else.

 

[Mellow]

Honda could have done a better job with the NT700...

 

[paulcb]

Honda could have done a better job with the NT700...

I get the NCs and NTs mixed up... neither have ever really been on my radar.

 

[Mellow]

I get the NCs and NTs mixed up... neither have ever really been on my radar.

NT700 - Shaft drive 700cc, integrated saddlebags... they were only here for 3 years I think before Honda stopped making them and started pushing the NC's which were mostly based on the integra scooter. If I remember that correctly.

 

[ChucksKLRST]

NT700 - Shaft drive 700cc, integrated saddlebags... they were only here for 3 years I think before Honda stopped making them and started pushing the NC's which were mostly based on the integra scooter. If I remember that correctly.

Two years for the NT700V. 2010 and 2011. The 2011 models are a bit hard to find as not many came in to the US. The 2010 had two colors. They were Silver and a Burgundy Red. Silver ones were Non ABS and ABS. Red ones were all Non ABS. The 2011s were a Metallic Black, all ABS.

 

[Mondo]

Wow, did I get a bargain on my FJ-09 when I bought it in comparison to these prices. Adding cruise was only $400 and it now has everything I need, plus I like it which is the bottom line. No biggie at high speeds in the wind, etc. Panniers could be bigger, but I ride solo and a bag strapped to the pillion seat for longer trips works just fine. I’m good.

Greg

 

[dduelin]

NT700 - Shaft drive 700cc, integrated saddlebags... they were only here for 3 years I think before Honda stopped making them and started pushing the NC's which were mostly based on the integra scooter. If I remember that correctly.

Joe, NC stood for New Concept and with that Honda introduced a twin cylinder 645cc platform that allowed four distinct bikes to build off the basic platform - the adventure styled NC700X, the naked NC700S, and the scooter-styled Integra and Forza 750. The latter two aren't really scooters because they don't have step through frames, swing arm/rear wheel mounted engines, and lack underseat storage that traditionally define scooters. Globally the NC700/750X has been far more popular than the S and Integra have been. It was Honda's best selling model in Europe for several years and still sells very well in the UK/Europe hence Honda updated it for nine years running.

 

[Daboo]

...The 2011s were a Metallic Black, all ABS.

 

[wjbertrand]

Joe, NC stood for New Concept

And here I thought it stood for No Chance of me buying one...

 

[ArTravlR]

Hmmmm.....

Recall John Larroquette as a Klingon counting down the range to target in “Kellicams”. Still hilarious. Today, I sat on my first Tracer, a 2020 in the showroom. Nice discount too. There’s a lot to like and I like the engine but wish for an updated Honda V4 I can flat foot. Lots of wonderful bikes out there and Christmas is coming.

 

[Silver Bullet]

Not a fan of the new look . ugly bags and don't like the wide spacing on the instruments. I will keep my 2020 GT 900 which looks way better IMO. Also was way cheaper . Dealer had marked down to 11,599.00. Bought it and haven't regretted it for a second .
MIKE

 

[Sheriff41]

I guess my taste in motorcycles is out of date; I like the looks of the NT700V better than the newer bikes. Gotta love the new technology, though.

 

[The Cheese]

I love it. Lots better than the prior Tracer. I was interested in it before. Now I'm very interested. If I had the money I'd put down a deposit for one. The fog lights, corner lights, whatever lights, reminds me of R1 styling. Just needs more body panels painted. The red reminds me of Honda's Pure Red Pearl. Nice!

My old 11 needs something to take the mileage strain off it. It's getting harder to keep on top of maintenance. Parts are getting harder to come by. A newer bike is on the horizon for me.

 

[Whisperquiet]

I just bought a used, low mile 2019 Tracer 900 GT and it is a real fun bike to ride. Like others, I am going lighter as I age and the Tracer GT will serve as my every day bike along with my Tenere 700. I am keeping my Super Tenere as it is a great long distance trip bike that fits me great. The Tracer GT and T700 are a lot tighter for me ergo wise at 6’4” with a 35” inseam.

I sold my beloved Versys-X 300 after buying the Tracer GT as I don’t have time to ride/maintain four motorcycles.....it did fit me great, but different motorcycles await.

I am not wild about the ‘21 Tracer GT saddle bag look and the split dash, but will reserve judgement until seen in person. Yamaha also introduced the ‘21 Super Tenere.....BNG for another year and I will wait until there are major changes before upgrading from my ‘15 S10.

Re chains......not much of a worry anymore....run at the loose end of spec, wipe off every so often, and lube sparingly.

 

[RaYzerman]

I have "lost weight" by going from ST13 to FJR to CBF1000... 525 lbs. at bargain prices, but alas, can't get in the US. I love the darn thing, smoothest bike ever.
I've had the Tracer 900 GT on the radar for a while... my comparison....
FJ-09 good comparison bike as a start, a longer swingarm would make it better for all day rides or multi-day rides.

Tracer 900 got longer swingarm, and an updated look

Tracer 900 GT has the fully adjustable suspension and cruise, if you want bigger capacity bags, swap lids with FJR lids or put an FJR set of bags on it. Identical base, same mounting.
If you're worried about height, put the 1" lowering kit on (I don't see any ground clearance negatives as with some bikes).

2021 Tracer 9 has ES, and I'm not an ES fan, and to me if you already have a Tracer 900, there is no compelling reason to "upgrade". Hoping a bunch of gadgetty people want them so the Tracer GT's will get cheaper for me, lol. I see the Tracer 900 GT is also on the US website, so my guess is they aren't selling like hotcakes, or they're testing the market to see which one is preferrable.

 

[Daboo]

If you're worried about height, put the 1" lowering kit on (I don't see any ground clearance negatives as with some bikes).

I'm not sure exactly why, but the oil drain plug on the FJ09 and Tracer models seems to get bumped in normal use...then cracks...then leaks oil all over the ground. I'd look into what lowering the bike would do that that issue.

Chris

 

[paulcb]

I'm not sure exactly why, but the oil drain plug on the FJ09 and Tracer models seems to get bumped in normal use...then cracks...then leaks oil all over the ground. I'd look into what lowering the bike would do that that issue.

Chris

As I understand, while definitely a problem with the FJ-09, it was resolved with the 2019 Tracer.

 

[The Cheese]

I thought it was only the 2015s. Maybe into the next year. Can't remember. Either way the "problem" had been long fixed.

Also want to point out this is a mostly new bike, with a mostly new motor. Who knows what it's strengths and weaknesses are. No point it starting rumours about issues before it even his the streets.