Victorvnv

26 minutes ago, betoney said:

@Victorvnv - You certainly live in an area where fantastic riding can be found in every direction.  I try to ride in N.Ca. at least once a year and every time, I incorporate new roads to the ride.  I'm still finding awesome roads every time I visit, though I haven't made it any further South than Santa Cruz or Sonora Pass.  Some day I still have to make it down to Lake Isabella/Sequoia NF region and then North on PCH through Big Sur.

I actually live in San Jose about 40 min from Santa Cruz - and yea some great riding spots here I went with the teacher to Big Sur yesterday , did the entire ride until the sea lions place then rode back. Overall about 330 miles round trip, I felt great all the way until the last 50 miles but that was mostly becuase it got cold and I only had a long sleeve shirt and leather vest on me and also couldn’t figure how to turn on the heated grips lol.

Waiting to get to 600 miles for my first service and then off to Yellowstone National park.

17 minutes ago, Paddy01 said:

Hi Doehle

Welcome to the joy that is GT ownership. I can’t recommend enough the MRA Vario screen. I think you’ll agree that the stock screen is total pants and the MRA is light years ahead in terms of noise and comfort. I also fitted a Yamaha 50 litre top box with Yamaha rack. They don’t recommend this as the bike has a max payload of 179 kgs, but as I ride solo I don’t see it as a problem. As the panniers are only 22 litres each. I was glad of the topbox when I went to the Classic TT last year. The panniers alone would not have been enough; even for just one person.  Which brings me to the seat... Please read all the posts on this as it’s a major bone of contention and there’s a lot to read on e subject. I’m still deliberating in which one to buy. But everyone is agreed that it needs replacing. I recently did a 200 mile day and my arse was on fire when I got home. 
cheers

Paddy

I did a 300 miles ride yesterday and honestly I don’t think the seat is bad on uncomfortable. As long as you stop every couple hours and stretch / have a coffee for 10-15 min it’s good enough .

But when riding you should generally stop for gas every couple hours anyways . 
 

With that being said I heard that Yamahas own comfort saddle is good enough upgrade for long trips .

Also I am not planning on replacing the windscreen as it felt good neither for my 6”1 180lbs self, but then again I don’t mind a little wind on me here and there - part of the biking experience 

I just got mine yesterday and it’s great! Looking at the pictures at first I didn’t like the red color but live it’s really great look, I actually looks like a cruiser a bit lol.

No crazy deals here for it for 14200$ US but so far it’s amazing ! Taking it to Yellowstone road trip as soon as the first service is done at 600$

14 minutes ago, betoney said:

Congratulations on the new bike, the more you get used to it the more you will love it.

Before taking it out on a road trip, consider doing its first oil change.  Brand new motors get a lot of metal particles in the oil, I did the first oil change at just over 100 miles and was amazed at the amount of silver in the oil. 

I was actually wondering about this. Does it have to be at 600 miles or can it be earlier? If it’s earlier wouldn’t it have some negative impact based on the fact that it haven’t adjusted itself yet? Also would it be ok to put those first 600 miles at once ( say a trip to LA and back) or should it be mostly city riding ?

Guys just got the bike and drove it home .

I gotta say I love it! It’s just as you said- the power is nice and smooth and doesn’t feel too sudden that would throw me off. Riding it in B mode, everything feels great compared to the Duke.

The windshield feels great, barely felt any wind around me at 70-80 mph.

The seat feels great too- one hour non stop riding Without me feeling the urge to stop just to stretch out. 
 

The freeway power is great, bike doesn’t feel it’s going to fall apart or struggling .

Defenitely keeping this one for years to come! Can’t wait to make a huge road trip to Yellowstone maybe next week!

Thanks for everyone’s heads up and tips !

Bike looks sexy as hell too and I don’t feel like a giant standing next to it!

3 hours ago, nhchris said:

I've ridden a 390 and enjoyed it a lot.  The Tracer will feel different,  but in a good way.

Explore its drive modes and other features, and set the sag and suspension stiff if you are at the 200 lb mark.

I think the redline on the 390 was around 5,500 rpm. The CP3 motor likes to rev higher, so try shift points closer to 8- or 9k.

It will go only as fast as you want it too so take your time getting to know her.

Oh yeah, don't b e afraid to lean it waaaay over.

Damn , I thanks ! I was shifting on the 390 at around 4000-5000, interesting as I thought bigger engine would make me shift a lot sooner .

3 hours ago, kilo3 said:

Don't forget about the drive modes. Heck I stayed in B mode for a good two weeks just to get a feel.

Def Gona start at B mode lol. This thing is over 100 lbs heavier than my 334lbs duke so will need time to adjust to the size

1 hour ago, Dutch said:

I agree with betoney. No matter the horses available, control your right wrist. I have 30+ years of riding under the belt and enjoyed a variety of bikes with different horsepower. I've never felt intimidated by the power available. Take your time getting used to the bike. I haven't gotten my Tracer yet so I can't speak for it's power, although the reviews on the bike were unanimous on the power the bike has readily available. I traded a 2008 Stratoliner S in for the Tracer and can't wait to get the bike. Anyway, enjoy your new bike. I hope you have many safe miles ahead of you. Driving bikes is an addiction I never want to get rid of:-)  

Thanks guys, I now feel eager to drive it home tomorrow . From Berkeley to San Jose .

Riding bikes really became an addiction but as skills get better so do bikes get expensive .

This bike took all my savings plus a couple grands from my credit card so hopefully I don’t have to/ feel the need to change it in the next 3-4 years lol.

I am 34 so I am kinda mature enough not to care about being the fastest beast on the road, as long as I can pack up and have fun road trips and once in a while have a chick behind for a scenic ride I am happy.

Will post on here in the morning when I bring the new baby home !

20 minutes ago, betoney said:

Every rider is different and the ability to control you right wrist determines if a bike is too powerful for you.  My first street bike was 1000cc but I also had 30+ years dirt riding experience.  Basically, unless you ride like an idiot, you should be fine on the Tracer.

The Tracer is a great bike, as much at home in the mountain twisties as it is on a multi-state road trip.  Zero issues cruising at 80mph on the highway for days at a time, just set the cruise control and go.

Thanks man! That gives me abit more confidence . I got abit scared of the size difference today even thought the bike when I sat on feels great. Sadly they didn’t allow test rides so I had to make the decision before riding it.

And yea that cruise control is huge for me as I am planning on taking the bike from San Jose to Yellowstone as soon as I get comfy with it!

Only thing I am worried is the throttle response compared to the 390. The 390 was way too easy in that area as I could easily rev the engine and it wouldn’t jump too fast into speed. 
 

Hey guys , new member here.

Today I finally got a new Tracer 900 GT, it will be my second bike. 
 

The first one I had was ktm duke 390, I had it for several months, put 3500 miles on it, however as I am a 6”1 190lbs guy , the bike started to feel quite underpowered on the freeways where I do most of my riding.

I am mostly using my bike for Long touring, going from San Jose to Big Sur, Bakersfield , Vegas etc and sadly with the KTM after an hour riding my lower back was hurting thus I got the new bike.

now my concern is that this would probably be too much of a power/ size jump so I was hoping I can get some tips/ insight on it before I pick up the 900 tomorrow .

How is the handling/ cornering? 
 

How Easy is it on low speeds and will it’s power blow my mind off ? 
 

Anything specific to be aware off?

I probably should have went for a 600-700cc bike, however given how the value of my duke was about 2000$ less when I sold it than when I purchased it, I figured It’s more practical to straight up go for the bike I want and plan on keeping for the next few years.

Thanks ‘