draco_1967

I have a set of CRG Arrow mirrors with Rottweiler mounts (attaches to my Barkbusters). They are spendy, but very high quality. I actually got mine second hand for about 60% of new cost. I ended up liking them so much, I put a set on my other bike (which I also scored used!). No the best pic... Here is a closeup of them on my other bike: I will say, these mirrors are tough! On my other bike, they have taken several falls on both sides in the dirt. They rotate out of the way, and I haven't had any issues with broken glass or bent anything. The aluminum housing has a few scratches, but nothing serious. If you are eliminating handguards completely, CRG has a bar-end adapter that you need to purchase separately to install the mirrors.

That is what got me *that* close to buying an MT10 over the Tracer. It sounds soooo good, even stock. What held me back was the range and the desire to keep my license (which would have been significantly at risk with the MT10...😈). The Tracer still makes me smile when I ride, but that MT10 had me giggling like a maniac when I cracked the throttle.

If it is a local bank, you can go to the bank with the seller, give the bank the money, and they will release the lean through the DMV. Make sure they put you as the owner of the title. I had an issue with my car when the bank for some reason put the PO on the title, even though it had my address on it. I had to have the PO sign the new title over to me. A little bit of a pain, but the PO was a good guy.

I have the extended Shogun sliders, and I have tipped the bike over on both sides (don't let short friends ride your bike 😂). I also have Barkbuster handguards on. Those contact before the tank. the sliders do a good job of keeping the engine and plastics off of the ground in a tip over. I really didn't want to add crash bars (added weight, extra complication with some maintenance, and ugly IMO), so I'm pleased that the sliders worked out for me. I do use them as foot rests for stretching my legs on the highway.

I used carbon fiber tape and some extra flexible wiring. It was mostly to see if I could do it. It wasn't for cost savings because once I bought all the parts needed I was pretty close to a Gerbing or W&S liner...However, none of them were using carbon fiber for heating elements yet. It is nice, soft, and easy to fold away without worrying about breaking wires. It was a major PITA, and I will definitely buy a ready made one when this one bites the dust. I made it back in 2016, I can't believe it's still kicking around and putting out the heat! 😆 I can't take full credit, as there were a few others who made DIY versions years ago on ADV rider. This was a really basic diagram showing how to wire the carbon tape:

I run a heated jacket (home made), Warm-n-Safe pants, First Gear gloves, along with aux lights and phone charger. I have a volt meter/USB outlet on my dash, and I can watch the voltage drop in cycles as I ride with heated gear. I rarely have the heated gear on full, so the controller pulses on and off to provide the desired heat level. The voltage bounces between 12.8v and 13.4v steadily. I've ridden like that all day without issues.

The CP4 is a beast! I test rode an MT10 before purchasing the Tracer. It was unfortunately too short and tame of a ride to really let that monster loose. It wanted to go, go, GO! and we were jus tootling along at 40mph on surface streets. I would have a hard time keeping my license with an MT10 😆 It is time for me to finally pony up for suspension upgrades on the Tracer. I love everything about it, but I know it could be even better... New suspension would make my wife happy, because it would solidify the Tracer as a keeper. I start getting the new bike itch at 4-5 years of ownership. She rolls her eyes when I start talking about "needing" a new bike. Fortunately, every time I get out on the Tracer, I am happy with it again.

I have an Antigravity battery on my other bike, and it has been great. Never let me down over the last 3+ years. When the Tracer's battery needs replacement, I'll replace it with an Antigravity.

I think it looks great, and that V-twin sounds beautiful. It almost has a muscle car sound to it.

You should be able to go +2 on the rear sprocket and still be able to use TC and cruise control. But power wheels in 2nd should be doable with the RPMs up higher. Definitely doable with +2 sprocket on the rear.

Yes, that was an annoyance for me too. I started with the MC Cruise control buttons, then I found a guide here on how to create a stock-looking setup. Either a Super Tenere or FJR left switch pod, a tri-color LED, a couple resistors, and some wire. It looks awesome, takes up less space, and is really what Yamaha should have done to begin with. it is just a few buttons and some code in the ECU...I would have gladly paid a little more on the bike for it to be included. Thankfully, more bike makers (except Honda) are getting it and putting cruise on more than just their luxo-barge tourers.

I used a Crampbuster along with a Go-Cruise throttle lock for several years before discovering the joy of cruise control. Any throttle lock is just going give a short reprieve to your throttle hand. Any kind of elevation change (uphill or downhill), headwind, etc. and your speed will change. It seems like they all need some kind of fiddling to hold speed even for a minute without starting to back off. It's a safety issue, so I get why they aren't securely locking the throttle in any position. Cruise control is amazing, and in my opinion, necessary for a touring bike for me. MC Cruise has an awesome product for the Tracer/FJ-09. It is expensive, and installation is complicated, but the instructions and customer service are exceptional. The owners spent time with me on the phone (they are in Australia) to troubleshoot issues I had on mine (the 2019 ECU was updated a little from the 2018 and prior bikes, so they needed to do a little reprograming of the MCC brain).

I went from an FJR to the Tracer, and I am very happy with the choice. No, it's not quite as smooth and comfy on the long hauls across the country, but it is so much better in the twisty roads (lighter, less work to maneuver, engine is more fun). As far as colors go, the Tracer is relatively easy to wrap or paint. Make it any color you want!

Dang! I didn't realize they upped the price a bit! I think a few years ago you could get a pair for $25-30. When I bought the FOBO2, it came as a package deal with the sensors for $120. They have that on the FOBO website. I doubt they are US made, but they are plated steel. They have been great for me. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set for a new bike. No corrosion issues, and I ride in the winter here, with lots of salty road grime. It wasn't particularly difficult to install the sensors on the vertical valve. When I installed them, I balanced my wheels without a tire to account for the heavier valve stem. It didn't take much weight to get them balanced.

I use the FOBO 2 on my Tracer. I also installed a set of T valve stems so I can check and change pressure without removing the sensors. I have not had any leak issues in the 3+ years I've been using them. I have changed the batteries twice since installing them. I use a BT headset in my helmet (Cardo), and the app has audible alert options if the pressure drops below a customizable set point, so I don't have to have the phone visible for the setup to be useful. One nice thing about the FOBO is it is always on, so it will read pressure as soon as I walk up to the bike and turn the app on. Most of the others require the bike to be rolling before they will update the pressure on the receiver.

The base '19 tracer has the slipper clutch.

I gave my Tracer a much needed bath to finally wash away the winter grime. It's only July...

I would be very surprised if the 2019/2020 rack fit the 21 and up Tracer 9. The mounting points are probably different.

Finally got out for a decent ride yesterday. The Tracer is filthy, but still rides like a dream! I was hoping to ride a nice long loop, but one of the passes is still closed. Oh well, the road is twisty on the way back too, so no loss.

Congrats on the new bike! I'm in Midvale. Utah has horrible drivers, but some of the best roads in the US are within a pretty short distance. Some of the best roads are still closed from the crazy winter (SR 150 Mirror Lake Highway, SR 92 Alpine Loop, and Nebo Loop) But there are plenty of good roads that are open. Up by you in Ogden, check out Monte Cristo (SR 39), then up to Bear Lake, and back down the canyon to Logan then Brigham City. Down toward SLC, there is Little Cottonwood Canyon, which is a shorter canyon; Big Cottonwood, which is a little longer, and connects to Guardsman Pass into Park City or Midway. From Midway, you can head over to Cascade Springs rd, which connects to Alpine Loop (when the loop is open). East Canyon from Ogden, head East on 84, then take the exit at Morgan for SR 65. Then SR 66 at the reservoir. That road will put you just east of Salt Lake on I-80. And so many more roads around too!

I have used Locus, Gaia, Rever, and DMD2. All have their pros and cons. I think Locus is probably cheapest (free) for being able to track and export a track. DMD2 is a fantastic app, but doesn't have navigation yet, but will soon. Rever works pretty well as a tracking app, and you can track without paying the subscription. I don't think it lets you export without the sub though.

I would add that creating some kind of "paint booth" helps a ton with dust management. I painted a bike a couple years ago. I hung some plastic drop cloth from my garage ceiling, had a layer on the bottom. I used box fans with A/C filters taped on them to circulate air through the partially opened garage door. I wish I would have taken some pictures of the setup. I am about to paint again, and I think I'm going to pick up an inexpensive "cabin" type tent to use as the booth. If you have a decent compressor, a cheap HVLP spray gun and a "real" automotive polyurethane paint is so much easier to work with than spray cans. It will lay down better, cure faster, and is chemical (fuel) resistant. You also don't have to worry about compatibility issues between the different steps. The 2K clear is great stuff, but between the cost of the spray cans, the time it takes to cure before you can work it, a little extra expense in paint makes a huge difference in the finished quality. I spent $15 on the spray gun, $160 in paint (primer, base, and clear), and used a small 8 gal compressor. Unfortunately, paint prices are up like everything else I'm actually planning to repaint the same bike. I got a larger tank, and a different front fender, so it needs to match again... @kilo3 I think the pink looks awesome. I'm glad your wife likes it!

I don't know if the T7 and S10 pegs are the same. I found a used set of those pegs from an S10, and they required a little grinding to narrow pivot to fit in the Tracer mount. It was only about 2mm too wide.

Yep, RMATV/MC is where I got my shims. They sell them individually in .025 increments.

PPF is a great idea!