Michiel900GT

I work for a large intl. company. If I look around on the parking lot, I see a lot of BMW bikes, especially GS types. I think 60% of my motor riding colleagues owns a BMW. I never understood why. Sure, the 1200 GS is a nice bike but not very useful for commuting in a very busy urban area. Harley’s are a rare thing among my colleagues though.

I think there is a large group of bikers here that is convinced that bigger is better: 1200 GS, 1200 RT, FJR 1300 etc. And many of them have a certain attitude towards colleagues that ride “smaller” bikes. As if the smaller bikes are not to be taken too serious. However, colleagues that have tried my 900 GT all admit it is very much fun to ride, easier to handle and much more suited for urban traffic. 

8 hours ago, norcal616 said:

Next photo challenge: picture of bike near a sign showing elevation "below sea lvl" 

Challenge accepted.....Half of the country I live in is below sea level 🙂 

Did a run in around 10 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Temp is around 68-71 when riding in free air.

Last week the outside temp was around 15 degrees but I was stuck in traffic (very narrow roads, so no getting around the traffic jam). The engine slowly heated up to 105 degrees and every time it did the fan kicked in.

I had my 900 GT seat adjusted. A local company put in extra foam to make the seat a bit more flat (now certain parts of my lower body no longer get crushed when doing a lot of stop-and-go type of traffic), They also put in a special gel pad at the middle/back part of the seat. They use soft, medical gel pads. I took it for a short ride and I think it is a big improvement. I'm sitting a bit higher as well, so now my knees are even a bit more relaxed.

I tried the Yamaha comfort seat at the dealer but felt it was not very comfortable at all. The gel parts are way too hard and in fact, I found it less comfy than the OEM seat.

Also, I installed the SW-Motech crash bars today. I think they are a very nice addition to an already beautiful bike.

One question though, has anybody removed the SW-Motech logo plate that are glued to the bars? I really don't like them but I'm afraid if I remove them it will leave a mark.

I bought the matte blue version and really, really love it. The black version was also an option, if not for the blurple rims.....I really find that a no-go.

39 minutes ago, Ahmed said:

Red Beak !!😉

Very nice!

On 10/26/2019 at 5:01 PM, 3sum said:

Added a sidestand plate, a Chinese Ebay special. Paid $11 for it and it works, albeit I’ll have to shave about 1/8” off the back side since when the centerstand is retracted it touches and runs slightly. 
 

 

I got a refund from the eBay seller yesterday. I showed him pictures and he will hopefully change the compatibility overview on his eBay listing.

Too bad it doesn't fit without sanding.

19 hours ago, Aminochelat said:

Here's your version GT 👍

waase For Yamaha Tracer 900 GT 2018 2019 Front Wheel Fender Beak Nose Cone Extension Cover Extender Cowl - AliExpress - 11.11_Double 11_Singles Day

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Enjoy ✓Free Shipping Worldwide! ✓Limited Time Sale ✓Easy Return.

 

Thanks!

Quite a change! Enjoy your Tracer for many safe and fun miles.

I installed exactly that one yesterday. Looks great!

But it does touch the center stand indeed. I didn't have the bike of the center stand yet, but after your posting I checked and it is pretty annoying that it is just a bit too big.

26 minutes ago, mikerbiker said:

Dude, show a little effort.  Go to ebay and search the text I gave you in the screenshot.  Even gave you the part #.  Not complicated. 

I did try that of course. Unfortunately that didn't result in a hit. Only '15-'18 models😔

I do like the looks of the SC Project, the Scorpion and the Zard. For looks I would consider changing the exhaust!

But I do not have the need for a different or louder sound, though. I would like to keep neighbors happy too....

But hey, everybody has his or hers own taste....

18 hours ago, mikerbiker said:

Ebay

 

Do you have the actual link perhaps? 

Well, the Dutch chapter of this forum had a small member meeting😃

Soullancer and I met to try out each other's windscreens. My Vstream Touring and Soullancer's Puig sport. And I loved Soullancer's crashbars and lights!

I bought a couple of liner bags for my 900 GT. Are they perfect? No. Are the handy? Yes!

PANNIER LINER BAGS FOR YAMAHA TRACER 900GT, TRACER 900GT CITY, TRACER 900GT 2019

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And I have a confession to make. My dealer had a low-milage demo Versys 1000 SE Tourer from 2019 for sale at a very interesting price (5000 euro discount). I couldn't resist to make a test ride on it, as I suspected it would be more suited for long distance (high way) traveling than my GT.

And yes it is much more suited than the GT for long distances. BUT: after riding it for less than 20 minutes I decided I wouldn't trade in my GT for the Versys even if the dealer begged me for it. Sure, the Versys 1000 is a comfy, steady bike with lots of bonuses. Made for touring. But man, that bike isn't as much fun as the Tracer.

If I were to ride 900km to Austria on the highway, the Versys would be the bike of choice for sure. But after arriving in Austria I would want my Tracer to be there in order to really enjoy those curvy mountain roads! The engine characteristics and the handling of the Tracer are so much more made for fun mountain cornering than the Versys is.

It almost feels like the Tracer turns at a softly whispered command, whereas you need to yell at the Versys and then hope it obeys. Nope, no Versys for me. Or any of the bigger touring bikes for that matter.

I do wonder if the bike can take a 24/26" Madstad screen. Won't it ultimately break your cockpit due to the fact that the screen creates too much pressure/force on the mounting system of the Tracer?

I installed the Evotech radiator protector today. One of the few after-market parts that is aesthetically pleasing (at least, for me it is) and easy to install.

I am a bit confused. Is the one on the photo from Gilles?

I thought the Tracer looked just fine without a beak. Until you see one with a beak....Now it cannot be unseen.😮

@limpy88 What brand did you order or where did you order it? I would like to install one without drilling in my 900 GT....

On 10/11/2019 at 12:25 AM, betoney said:

Unbelievable that Yamaha puts stuff like this in the manual, some who don't know any better might actually take this as gospel and think there is only one "correct" position for the handlebar.

Its almost as bad as their recommended shift points... "but the manual says..."

Yamaha goes even a step further. In the manual they state that there are (only)  2 positions for the handlebar and that you should have your dealer adjust it if desired. 

About the dot marking and the original position: I think it is good that they have a reference point for the original position. I’m pretty sure there are more parts on the bike that have a “factory setting” reference. Some might be useful and or necessary, some might be neglected.

But I think Yamaha wants to prevent a situation where a 100 bikes have a 100 different settings at the moment the bike are delivered to the customers. They have designed a bike with certain settings so that it suits its general purpose and safety. Designing a well balanced bike is quit a scientific process and Yamaha probably wants to make sure that all dealers deliver the bike as Yamaha intended. And I’m also pretty sure that Yamaha has a legal department that has a big say in this...

That being said, of course there is plenty of room to fiddle around with some of the settings to get the best set-up for a specific driver. And the bars are a very good example. 

And as far as the shift points recommendation: I think that has to do with getting specific environmental certifications. The recommendation for the shift points are the points they used to get the lowest emissions rate during the official test (in Europe we have the Euro rating). So from a certification and regulation perspective they have to state those shift points, otherwise the bike is officially not compliant with the certification (no discussion about the usefulness of tests needed here....) Of course nobody will actually use these recommendations unless you want to drive like a 90 year old grandma and get your engine clogged with exhaust emissions.

5 hours ago, texscottyd said:

Damn, I feel like I accidentally started another oil or tire pressure thread...   

I was just trying to offer a quick answer to the ‘is there a way to get back to original position’ question.  But original and correct aren’t the same thing, and I’m 100% in favor of adjusting the ergonomics to suit your individual preferences.  There’s a lot of inherent adjustability in the FJ platform, so it only makes sense to take advantage of the options.  

Those shift points, though...  😲

Well, as far as I’m concerned I’m very happy with your answer to my original question. It really helped my out!

6 hours ago, motopumps said:

No, you should put them in a position that is comfortable for you, as the dot is just a reference point, not the only position for the bars.  ...and consider finding a less pedantic dealer.

Rob

True, if my goal would be to find a more comfortable riding position. But I was happy with ergonomics of the original (factory) position of the bar. Hence the question if there is a reference point to get the bar in the original position. Otherwise I would have to do a lot of trial and error to find the right position for me again.

I bought this one, but in the EU, so not much help I guess.

Thanks! So I guess my bar should be moved slightly to the right and a bit upwards to get it in the original position.

On 10/8/2019 at 6:36 PM, motopumps said:

You can rotate the riser portion and change the distance to the rider, you can also change the top clamp with zero affect to anything other than moving the projection out of the way.  

Perhaps your dealer is misunderstanding your question...

So today I visited the dealer. He insisted I should not reverse the clamp. He showed me how all bikes have the clamps mounted the same way. He said it has to do with the way the clamps and the risers are made. And Yamaha specifically states the way the clamp should be mounted.

Tbh, I don't see any difference, but I'll just leave them the way they are. I just moved the original Yamaha GPS stand to the position it should be in (on the lower bolts of the clamps).

Maybe a dumb question: to mount the GPS stand in the right way, I had to loosen the clamps. And with that, the steering bar moved a bit down. Is there any way or any indicator you can use to put the bar in the original position? Or is it just something you have to do using your eyes?