johnmark101

The quickshifter was standard on the GT in 2019, but not on the base model Tracer.  Don't use mine a lot.  It's nice on occasion but its function is not the smoothest.  I have tried quickshifters on other bikes and they tend to do a better job.  I think the one that comes with the GT could be better calibrated.

I feel your frustration.  These things are not inexpensive so you expect them to be well thought out.  I hope you are able to get this resolved.  I wonder if they will take it back and refund your money.  I bought an Akropovic full exhaust, and it mounted right up with no issues.  Expensive yes, but their quality is without peer.  

As far as a reflash, I would definately still consider doing so with any full exhaust system.  

7 hours ago, Grumpy Goat said:

Check out this article on Cycle World ... focuses on possible adaptive cruise control but also teases a proper dash instead of the dumb-faced split dash that is there on the current model. Test rider is sitting on the seat or else we might also get a hint whether they cured this other problem.

Regarding the cruise control ... I think that is a nonsense upgrade given this price point. They should first fix the cruise control so that you can activate it at more than 28 mph and lower than 4 gear (this for my 2019 900GT). Otherwise leave the cruise control alone and focus on other design missteps. The dash is a good start and the twitchy ride by wire throttle and weak rear brake are two others. Oh, and the U-shaped seat should also be fixed. After all that then I might consider a new one. 😏

You should consider sending your ECU to Ivan's Performance for a reflash.  It will smooth out the throttle response and it also removes all restrictions on the cruise control so that it can be used in all gears at all speeds.  

Ivan's Performance Products (ivansperformanceproducts.com)

A good seat adds so much to riding enjoyment and is usually the first mod I do on a new bike.  I will keep this guy in mind for future reference.

I had Terry Adcox build a custom seat for me and it is all day comfortable.  Like yours, mine is a bit wider and taller than stock.  Not as attractive on the bike as the stock seat, but I place a high value on function over form.

It seems odd but this is the correct orientation.  It is the same thing with the Dunlop Q3, and the Pirelli Rosso Corsa 2 as well as others.  

Damn sorry about your brother-in-law.  I hope he fully recovers.  It's tough to get back on the bike after something like this.  I had a nasty accident las year and my left leg is still not 100%, but not bad enough to keep me from doing anything I want.  I contemplated things over the winter but now I am back riding again, but taking things at a more relaxed pace.  I still contemplate giving it up as I know I cannot control all factors and one accident can change your life and the lives of those around you forever.

Been using this for 18 years.  Current chain on my Kawasaki has 18,000 miles but looks and performs like new.   Tracer chain at 13,000 miles still like new.  It's not a wax but more of a slightly tacky oil.

I have the Nelson Rigg tail bag on my Tracer.  It is easy to use and works very well.  It fits nicely on the pillion seat and holds a lot of gear.  I keep it on the bike at all times and add the hard cases when I am going to be gone for a few days.  The materials are of good quality and mine even survived a nasty crash and never came off the bike.  My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that the inner pocket in the lid could be more robust. 

Nicely set up bike for sure.  I like the Boxter in the garage. 👍

If you install a stiffer spring to the rear shock, you will also need to change valving to match the new spring.  Otherwise your damping rates will not be sufficient.  Best bet is to send the shock off to someone like Traxxion Dynamics.

8 hours ago, Instinct28 said:

I got this flash and love it. I have a 2015 FJ-09. 

It even got rid of 75% of the vibration in my handle bars at highway speeds. I stated that I had a Competition Werkes Slip-on and they tuned it for that. It starts my bike in A mode. It almost totally transformed my bike. So much more fun to ride. 

http://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com/fz09.htm

Ivan's work is as good as it gets.  I have two bikes, both with ECU's flashed by Ivan.  What he was able to do with the first generation Ninja 1000 is incredible and the reason why I did not sell mine when I bought the Tracer GT.

A good ECU flash will do several things. The most important items are elimination of the fuel cut off, reprogramming the fuel maps and modifying the ignition timing.  No new data points are added, but rather the existing data tables are modified in order to achieve the desired results.  Basically, this means tuning the bike through the ECU in the manner the manufacturer might do if they were not hampered by restrictions set on emissions.

Some tuners will go further.  For instance, Ivans Performance also removed the restrictions on the cruise control on the first generation Tracer so that it can be used in all gears at all speeds, which is a nice, added benefit.  

One more comment regarding the D.I.D ZVX-M chain.  I installed one on my tuned 2013 Ninja 1000 which makes much more torque and horsepower than my Tracer and should wear out a chain more quickly.  It now has 16,000 miles of wear and I cannot recall the last time I needed to adjust the slack, and the chain still look and performs like new.  I recommend the nickel finish as it holds up very well.  

19 hours ago, Wintersdark said:

 

 

I'll note that when you're getting a flash - and I can't speak for Ivan specifically, but for the tuners I've dealt with - they'll give you a flash appropriate for your intake and exhaust setup.  You cannot (well, should not) use a flash intended for an aftermarket decat exhaust system on one with a stock exhaust and cat, or the reverse.  You need to be getting a flash specific for your setup, it is definitely not a "one size fits all" situation.  Minor changes like exhaust brand don't really matter much, but the presence/absence of a catalytic converter definitely does.

So, if you're not intended to change your exhaust, just get a flash for that purpose and you'll still reap the benefits of the flash without harming your cat/exhaust.  Flash changes these days go well beyond air/fuel mixtures; or at least any flash you should be considering does. 

Well.......of course.  Both bikes received full Akrapovic exhausts when reflashed.

The bike will make full power in both Standard and A modes, just a change in throttle response.  Even after the flash I prefer the throttle response of Standard mode.

I have had Ivan tune the ECU on a couple of my bikes.  His work is without peer.  The throttle response on the Tracer was much improved with his flash.  

What his flash did for my 2013 Kawasaki was nothing short of black magic.  Picked up a lot of midrange and peak power.  Throttle response could not be any smoother and more responsive.  His flash for this bike is one of the reasons why I decided not to sell it when getting the Tracer.  It is such a joy to ride and feel so connected to the bike every time you twist the throttle. 

An aftermarket exhaust is a good idea if you get your ECU flashed.  A richer fuel mixture could possibly clog your catalytic converter over time.  That, or gut the stock exhaust.

Sometimes, with electrical gremlins, tracking them down is the most difficult part, and the repair is something easy.  There is a diagnostic port under the passenger seat that your dealership should be able to plug into and download any fault codes stored in the ECU.  That might be a good place to start.

As posted previously, setting chain slack is a good part of a pre flight check list for any long trip.  I run mine at or near the loose end of standard and after a trip of several days find that it has not changed.  However I have replaced the poor quality OEM chain with a D.I.D ZVM-X, which is a very good chain. If you want you can set your chain to the tight side of standard and if it loosens up a little over a few days of riding you should be okay.

I believe the owners manual recommends 35 to 45 millimeters of slack measured halfway between the front and rear sprockets.

I would think you can eliminate the exhaust or air filter being the culprit.  I would suspect the reflash.  But do go back and check your work.   

Depending on who did your reflash, returning the ECU to stock configuration is pretty simple.  I know that Ivan's Performance will return your ECU to stock if you had him do the reflash.  But Ivan's reflash is very good and I can not imagine returning mine to stock.

I would reach out to the shop who performed the reflash on yours and see what they tell you.  Best of luck!!    

12 hours ago, PhotoAl said:

I would just to be safe.  Not familiar with Grattan but there are a couple of corners at Barber where you can get a pretty good lean.  From the track days I've seen novice is not that fast but why risk it.  

 

IndyCars will be at Barber next weekend.  Lots of fun to watch.  Always amazed at watching them accelerate out of the museum corner ALL the way down the back straight and only after the left do the let off!  During a test saw one of them catch an upshift between the left and right in the chicane on the back straight.  

Indy cars are crazy fast.  Moto America Superbikes run 1:27's at barber........Indy cars run 1:10's!!!   

I always hug my wife before leaving for the ride.  

Then my ritual is to check tire pressures and the function of all lights just before getting on the bike.

On 3/12/2022 at 9:45 AM, YamaGeezer said:

Apologies to readers in colder climes, but I have to get this out. 😄

I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia (US) and our weather is completely schizophrenic!  Last week I was out riding on a sunny day with the temperature reading 81 degrees F (27C).  Today's it's snowing here and expected to be 19F (-7C) tonight.  I love living where we have chances to ride all year 'round but these seasonal changes make planning rides crazy.  It's like springtime enjoys teasing us with a few warm days, then laughs at our plans.   I know it's premeditated because the best days are during the work week and the bad weather likes to arrive on the weekends. 

Oh well - I guess I'll check on my maintenance items and plan rides on my mapping app.  Soon it will be Springtime to stay and I hope I'll see some of you on the roads nearby.  In the meantime, stay warm and be optimistic about good riding weather arriving soon. 

Ride Safe -  

I would love to live in your area.  In fact, I wanted to north Georgia or western NC after I retired, but the wife has too much family here.

You have some of the best motorcycle roads in the world and your riding season is a bit longer that ours here in central Kentucky.

4 hours ago, PhotoAl said:

4 years ago I stopped by a local bike dealer.  Couple of HD riders and their women were next to where I parked.  Was  riding my Kawasaki ZX6R and was 60+ at the time.  Got off my bike and they were just looking at me not saying anything.  Took my helmet off and told them, "when you get to be my age you can have a bike like this".

The ZX6R was a fun bike and I was told several times "I didn't figure you would be riding that bike".

Good story. 

I knew a guy who was 78 and still rode a ZX6R, and he could ride fast in the twisties.  He was very fit from riding a bicycle every day and always wore full gear on his motorcycle, so it was impossible to tell he was an older rider.  He was stopped by the police and when he pulled off his helmet the cop just looked at him and said, "Oh hell no".😆   

Perfectly decent tire, especially for the price.  However tires have come a long way since that particular model.