HGP61

I just went for a black one. But I did peel the ugly sticker off the panel to the right of the petrol tank before I left the dealers forecourt.

Original owner of my bike went for the Yamaha comfort seat option. I have found it very comfortable did a 300 mile day including 100 odd miles of monotinous motorway riding with no problems. All down to personal choice however it would be nice to "try before we buy" to avoid expensive mistakes. What you are wearing between you and the seat can also be an issue. A friend had to stop part way through the day last summer to change the shorts He was wearing under his textile trousers because of the discomfort.

I changed to a 17 plate Tracer last June and the only other bike on my short list was the Tiger 800. My Riding Buddy changed his bike about the same time for a Tiger 800 XR low (He realy fancied the Tracer but is slightly vertically challenged and coudnt reach the ground on the Tracer.) After riding both bikes I am so glad I opted for the Tracer, PS after I had changed that stock windscreen for a touring PUIG.

Lowering links probably the best and cheapest way to go I've seen some reasonably priced ones on E-bay. Only issue is it makes it a bit more difficult to lift bike on to the centre stand and can change the angle the bike sits at on the side stand unless you modify the stands.

Welcome, I am sure you won't regret your decision. I sold my 12 year old Honda CBF 1000 to change up to the Tracer 900 in June and have enjoyed every one of the 3,000 miles I have covered since then. Just wish I had done more miles.

After reading through some of the issues regarding upgraded seats I am so greatful to the previous owner of my tracer for opting for Yamaha,s comfort seat.

Welcome, I changed my CBF1000 for a 900 Tracer in July and also enjoying my riding so much more since then. Had a quick run down to St Mary's Loch on Saturday just to satisfy the urge to get out and ride.

Never thought of a disconnect at the -terminal to slow down a discharge, will give that a try.

Hi John Using a battery booster is a compromise If I could easily run an extension cord from his upstairs flat to the back garden I would plug in my optimate. When I put the bike off the road for the winter I will pull the battery and bring it home. I just needed an idea if using one of these battery boosters is suitable for topping up the battery in the short term.

Since I moved house in June I have had to keep my bike in one of my friend's sheds. I dont have easy access to an electrical supply to top up the battery with a maintainance charger. This hasn't been an issue during the summer as the bike is out regularly, but with Autumn now with us I was thinking of getting a small lithium battery booster that I can charge at home and use it to top up the bike battery once or twice a week. I know that these boosters can be used to jump start an engine but I am not sure how effective they are at connecting to a bike battery to top up the charge. Any advice or recommendations welcome. Gavin

I test rode a GT model before I bought the two year old Tracer I eventually opted for. The only thing that put me off was the small standard panniers (well that and the £4000 price difference) At 22L I felt they didn't suit the type of touring I wanted to do.

The Shad 36 pannier liner this summer contained Sleeping bag, sheet liner, Air matress, inflatable pillow, 1 pr. trousers, 2 tee shirts 2pr. boxers, 2pr socks, long sleve top,1pr. shorts sun hat, washing up bag, 2 lightweight camping towels, torch, kindle and a pair of canvas shoes. I then managed to squeeze in a couple of muisili bars and a 250ml bottle of water in case I had the munchies in the morning.

I have been using a system that Chitown describes in a previous post. Everything I will need in the tent packed in the pannier liner to be easily put in the tent when it goes up. Other stuff packed in three or four smaller bags in left pannier to be used if needed. If we are stopping at a campsite for a few nights panniers can be left at site and a small bag of tools lifted into the topbox in cace its neede out on a run. I do like the pannier bag.

Hi John Welcome and I hope you get on with the new bike. I drove down to Batley in July to then ride the 200+ mies back to Lanark with my new Tracer. It was a good way to get familiar with a new machine.

Welcome to the forum from a like minded motorcyclist. I too had considered the 650 versys when I was changing from my CBF 1000 but didn't want to drop too much power. I am so glad I eventuly went for the Tracer.

Welcome C.P. in total aggrement with you about the Tracers nimble handling I am enjoying the bike. My tracer was supplied from new with the optional comfort seat and I can recommend it. I had to change the screen as the original Tracer one was hopeless. I opted for a Puig touring screen Initially felt it was a bit on the big side but any doughts disappeared after the first 5 minutes difference was fantastic.

Hi Folks Just joined the Forum recently, Test rode a 900gt and loved it. I didn't want to buy someting as new so opted for a 17 plate Tracer instead with 6,000 miles on it. Coming from a Honda CBF 1000 and the diference in weight and useable power is fantastic. Took the bike on a 1500 mile tour round Wales begining of August the week after I bought it so well used to it now.