runnerhiker

Lots of good tires available today. I have used PR4's with great results, but my favorite are Dunlop Roadsmart for great price/performance. I've never tried Shinko, but I see your point, no sense in changing what has worked for you in the past.

I worked in the petrochemical industry for many years, product transfer across all boundaries of the industry are measured very precisely, all parties involved are interested in accuracy. At the gas pump, the state's agencies are the last link in the chain and they protect the consumer by checking pumps. It's not just a matter of catching bad actors, but bad actors are severely punished.

I have had numerous vehicles with instantaneous and average mpg calculations and displays, cars and motorcycles. ALL of the average readings are optimistic, all of them, usually by 10%. My 900 GT is also 10% optimistic, it reads 55 mpg and my calculations are 50 mpg. That's the way it is.

I also have a Kendon trailer, I can't quite see where you're tying down the front of the bike, I want to know. Please describe or post a picture.

I have them also, they work well. I like them.

In the last 15 years I've owned eight bikes with chain drive. And I have never had to replace a chain or a sprocket. The most miles were a VFR800 with 11,000 miles and a ZX-14 with 19,000 miles. On the other hand, I've gone through tires like crazy. Sport tires last me 3K miles and Sport/Touring tires last me 6K miles. I think my lube on the o-ring chains work, and my throttle hand still wears out the tires.

In my opinion, chain lube is to lubricate the rubber o-rings or the X-rings; to prevent rust; and to lubricate the rollers. Over 40 years of riding, I have used motor oil, my own concoction of STP/oil/vaseline, gear oil, and motorcycle specific spray wax. For me the winner is...................... the new o-ring chains!!!! (or X-ring chains) I'll keep using the spray wax because it is the least messy. I have always lubricated my chains to something much less than manufacturer recommended, but still lubricated it. And I have yet to wear out a sprocket or a chain, including 20k miles on the powerful ZX-14. So I'll depend on the o-rings and use the spray wax for the least slinging mess.

Congratulations! It is a great bike.

My experience is similar to others above, about 2 mph high compared to the GPS. Not bad, better than any other bike I've owned.

I agree. I ride in standard mode all the time, I don't feel any twitch at all in the throttle.

Stonegoat, I get about 50 mpg on my Tracer, the onboard computer says 55 mpg, but my calculations say 50. It requires premium fuel because it has an 11:1 compression ratio, that's one of the way they get 105+ HP out of a 850cc engine. I am not surprised the phpaul can run regular and be ok because modern engine have sensors and computers that can compensate for lower octane and be very forgiving under less than full load. But if you want to extract peak performance and fuel mileage from the motor, you need premium fuel.

I don't think the 900GT will be too much bike even if it's a big jump from the 250, just don't twist the throttle as much, specially at first. I am wondering why you only asked about the engine performance - the 900GT is full of other features that would be great for commuting and the Honda would lack: panniers, cruise control, wind protection, heated grips. These things come standard on the GT, don't need to add any of them. And getting used to the more powerful engine should be easy. Go for the GT.

That is a fantastic location for the GPS, great job.

Ah, the feeling of taking a test ride on a bike and coming back saying "I gotta have this bike", that's a great feeling! I have tested many bikes, but only one as you describe above: not expected, not looking for it, didn't know I wanted it, but once I rode it, I said "I gotta have this bike" - a 2009 Ninja ZX-14. Enjoy the Diavel!

I have taken several test rides on the BMW XR, the handlebars vibrate. In the first model, it was extensive, in newer models, less so. I also test rode an S1000R and it was much smoother ==> conclusion, geometry and mounting of the handlebars can screw up a bike!

I wear earplugs when I ride, not hearing these kinds of noises, I guess, is an added advantage.😈

I'd say get the Tracer. What Tripletrouble said above is my opinion also. If YOU are concerned about too much power at first, set the riding mode to B, that's the softest of the three available modes, and I bet in a couple of weeks you'll be totally comfortable with the power.

I have three bikes with a QS, the Tracer GT, a BMW R1200 RS, and a KTM Super Duke R. All of them work best under full throttle and work fine but less smoothly under partial throttle. I think a QS works better than my muscles, and I think it is easier on the transmission since it will unload the cogs more timely and more consistently than I can operate the clutch. I think the QS works best when I flick the shift lever quickly and without hesitation. Don't baby this thing. Don't take it easy. Doing it slowly is not doing the software any favors, which is counting on unloading the engine just long enough for the shift lever to move the transmission to the next gear. I like it a lot and it's one of my favorite electronic gizmos on a bike. From now on, when I get a bike, I want it with a QS.

I voted for removing. It's not the 'goo', I generally don't like decals.

My Tracer GT either does not make this noise, or I don't hear it and it doesn't bother me. Sorry, I can't help you.

I bought my Tracer GT last August, seven months ago, and I have zero regrets. I have not owned any previous iteration of this bike - no FJ 09 nor MT, etc. So I can't give you the comparison you are asking for. But this Tracer GT has a lot of equipment for $13k, I think it is very much worth it, and I think a more satisfying bike than putting $4k into your FJ-09. I would buy the new GT.

Bluebonnets in Texas?

I wear earplugs when I ride, do it all the time, I don't like the wind noise. On any bike, with any helmet, with any shield. So the bottom line is that I can't help you, I don't hear it on my Tracer GT with either the OEM shield or the Yamaha Touring shield.

yammi What country are you in? I don't see that GPS mount listed in the USA site. I am using a RAM mount but that bracket you showed in your picture looks like a very nice setup.

I think we are very lucky today to have so many fine motorcycles to consider: the Tracer GT, the FJR, the Kawi Versys, KTM SuperDuke GT, and on and on. I could just keep adding to this list. But there is no substitute for our own personal feel, I would not buy any bike today without a test ride first. Before this Versys SE LT+ came out and before I got my Tracer GT, I test rode the Ninja H2 SX SE, fantastic bike! Fantastic engine! Fantastic electronics! But the ergonomics were a deal breaker for me, something I could not fully appreciate just by sitting on it in the showroom floor. I hesitate to ask for a test ride on the new Versys SE LT+, it is bigger and more expensive than my GT, it's uglier too. But I suspect that the engine will be smoother and more powerful than the GT, anytime I feel that temptation coming over me, I take my GT for a ride and remember all over again what a fine overall bike it is, and how lightweight and how much satisfying power Yamaha is able to get out of that 850cc triple.