johnmark101

After reading up on the Tracer since it's U.S. introduction, watching every YouTube video and hanging out here for some months I finally picked up my new GT yesterday and promptly took a 95 mile spin on her.  It does not disappoint.  I think I may even be able to live with the stock seat which will be a first for me as all my other ST bikes needed a new one.  Will likely get a shorter windscreen for summer riding and I can already tell the stock one is not so good.  Otherwise the bike is just what I hoped for in a middleweight ST ride!!  

And if that is not enough, I wake up this morning to read that Ivan now has a reflash for the GT!!!!  I have his reflash on my Ninja 1000, ( which will now become my hooligan bike for some local rides  ) and his tuning is superb.

Life is good.

This is good news to read the day after I picked up my new Tracer GT!!  My Ninja 1000 has Ivans reflash and his work is stellar! 

Was passing through Cincinnati today and stopped at a Yamaha dealer who also has a Tracer 900 GT in stock.  Tried the same thing with this bike and no knocking issue.  The other bike has some demo miles.

I am chomping at the bit for one of these and if no one makes a reasonable offer on the bike I have for sale within a few weeks,  I may bite the bullet and see what the dealer I visited today will offer on trade.

It was something I could feel more than hear.  My concern is that I don't want to feel this when I am riding......it would feel as if there was something wrong with the forks.  No other bike I have ever owned exhibited this when pumping the forks.  Almost as if there is a gap between the internal components that opens and closes as the forks compress and extend.

Does anyone feel this through the bars on their GT when riding?

12 hours ago, denveryzf said:

My GT has done this since day one... has not gotten any worse or better in 5,000 miles

Do you notice it when touring and during normal riding?

Looking at buying a new Tracer 900 GT and I am about to pull the trigger.  Went to the dealer to get the VIN for an insurance quote and while sitting on the bike I pushed down on the bars to compress the fork and there was a very noticeable "clunk" on rebound.  I did this a few times and each time it was there and quite obvious.  Is this unusual or pretty much normal for this bike.  Have owned many bikes and never have I felt anything like this in the front end.  I would hate feeling like something is not tight in the front end every time I hit a bump.

If you go from riding fully faired bikes to a rather naked machine I would imagine that you might hear more mechanical music than you are used to.  

5 hours ago, Cruizin said:

One more to consider, the Ninja 1000. You can ride that bike 1000 miles comfy, yet hit the twisties and scrape the pegs well.  It doesn't have CC though. 

Have been riding the Ninja 1000 since 2011.  Want to get a new sport touring bike this year as a retirement gift to myself and the Tracer GT is the only bike I am considering other than getting another Ninja 1000.  Have been lurking here to learn more.  The ergos on the Tracer are slightly more upright and there is a bit more leg room.....definitely something to consider for those of us who are beginning to get senior citizen discounts.  The Ninja is still all day comfortable for me, but after a test ride last October the Tracer is definitely a strong contender as it fit me very well, ( 6"1' with 34 inseam ), and seemed a bit more flickable than the Ninja.   Both my Ninjas have given me stellar service with bullet proof reliability, but I would expect the same of the Yamaha.     

The 900 GT has been on my radar since June of last year.  The clearance to the passenger pegs has also been a concern of mine since my brief test ride of the GT back in October.  Glad to see someone find a work around to get a little more room for the riding boots!!  Kudos to Wanderer for sharing this modification.

I have a very well made Held one piece leather race suit that I use for all types of riding and touring.  Very comfortable.  However when I find myself back in the market for another riding suit I am probably getting an Aerostitch.  Love that it is waterproof and has lots of pockets.

Have worn Held gloves for many years and found them to be some of the best gloves on the market...…..until I tried on a pair of these Racer gloves and was blown away by the quality, fit and comfort.  

http://www.racerglovesusa.com/high-racer-glove/

I have owned two Ninja 1000's, a 2011 and a 2013. Still riding the 2013. I recently got a short test ride on the Tracer GT and right away could tell the ergos were more roomy and better suited to long days in the saddle. However I have done a lot of long rides and multi day road trips with my Ninja 1000 and have no issues with comfort other than having to replace the stock seat. The biggest difference between the two for me was leg room. I have a 34 inch inseam and the extra legroom on the Tracer was nice. The Tracer also felt a bit lighter at the bars which I liked.
 
I am going to buy a new sport tourer in 2019 and right now the Tracer GT is a strong contender. Joined this forum to learn more about the bike.
 
I agree with an earlier poster who dislikes the "Ninja 1000" name. In Europe the bike is named "Z1000 SX", which is much more to my liking. Ninja sounds kind of juvenile for a proper sport tourer.