Mike A

I don't feel that I baby my Tracer at all, however, compared to my younger days I do. I run it up in the revs because I like to, but never sustained. I'm a much slower rider than I used to be. Age will do that to you. I don't think the lack of running the bike harder or using more revs is really the factor on a modern motorcycle. That said, my Dealer blames 'bad gas". They decarboned it, put it back together and it runs perfectly. He tells me to stay away from that gas station and to use an additive when I can. So that is what I am going to do. I can't explain how extended warranty covers that, but they did! I am running the revs higher because my simple mind is telling me to. I'll be the first to say it all seems strange. I don't have any other answers..

Finally got my tracer out for a good ride yesterday, 175 miles or so. I noticed a significant improvement from when I last rode it (Labor Day). Of course after that long abstinence, it had to feel good. The bike ran flawlessly. I called my dealer service advisor this am to thank him and again ask about the culprit. From the onset, they thought it was all about the carbon buildup. Once the head was rebuilt, carbon removed, assembled they found no issues. So why the carbon build up? Bad gas was the standby answer! I have to go with that and be a little more diligent about where I buy gas, maybe add an additive, and definitely run the revs higher!!! Thanks for all of the input.

My repair went as dealer told me initially. Head tear down, removed carbon everywhere. All valves were good. I'm sure they ground and seated valves. Mostly labor I'm sure. Tuned, etc. My $61 invoice shows warranty for head gasket, 8 bolts/washers (head bolts?), exhaust gasket, Yamaha oil, coolant. As I said earlier, most of the gas I use is ethanol free, premium, primarily from one location.....that will change. I believe my dealer was instrumental to say the least. This is my 11th Yamaha vehicle, 8 were new.

Dealer called me to come pick up my Tracer Wednesday. My bill $61, for new plugs and air filter. Yamaha paid for head rebuild, labor, and whatever few parts needed. The service manager, my advisor and the mechanic had already left for the day. When service advisor called, he again told me the culprit was thought to be bad gas and once head work was completed, bike assembled, and tuned, it ran perfectly. Ten mile ride home was perfect. Enjoyed Thanksgiving. Got the bike out today for a 50 mile test and all was perfect again. Took it past 10K a few times, it's screaming again! I am still baffled that bad gas did all of this! I am also baffled that Yamaha warranty paid for the repairs! Need some good weather for some longer rides. Thanks to Yamaha and my Dealer

My dealer called yesterday to tell me that Yamaha is paying for complete head rebuild and whatever else is needed to correct my broken Tracer. At this point the excess carbon is the stated reason. Once mechanics are repaired, see if the tune up reveals anything??? Thanks for all of the input, I too have a hard time believing bad gas is the culprit. Parts are ordered, I'm told a couple of weeks to be completed. Will post then.

Definitely feel my riding manners have changed since I got the Tracer. On a typical 200 mile ride I probably take it to 9K a couple times. Previous bikes, Triumph 1200 Explorer, Concours 14, I would take to red line multiple times on a ride. I had a serious crash 5+ years ago on the Triumph and am certainly older, and my fast friends no longer ride. All leads to me slowing down. Seems I need to crank up the revs more.

Got the answer...sort of. Dealer called me yesterday to come and look at my Tracer. Walked in to see the Tracer engine on the bench, head off to the side, etc. (actually looked pretty small). Cylinders were in good shape, but excess carbon build up on top surface. Couple of valves were pulled and cleaned showing the difference between the major carbon buildup on others. Definitely pretty bad. Enough carbon that some valves were not seating causing the compression leaks. Dealer thought bad gas was the answer. I actually go to some effort to use non-ethanol premium gas and unfortunately usually the same small station. So I guess that could be the cause. Dealer said to use additives in all gas to keep carbon away. He recommended BG 44K or Star Tron, which I used years ago. Since the aging process has caught up with me, I can't help think that I don't scream this bike like I did previous ones. Did that contribute? Dealer said they would try to get Yamaha to contribute under warranty. I'll update the outcome next week.

Thanks for the input. Sorry, yes a leak-down test was done. They told me numbers that I did not write down, but will get from them this week. That's how they determined what valves did what. I recall the numbers were less than 50% of the excepted compression on the leaking valves. Old age has moved in on me, so maybe the bike has been running poorly and I did not realize it. Hope to find out this week.

My 2019 Tracer GT ran perfectly, parked it, week later it turned over but would not start. Checked battery, fuses, etc. Still no go. Took it to the dealer who eventually did a compression test. One cylinder showed leaking thru intake valve, the other two had leaking thru exhaust. I'm baffled. Bike has 36K miles, serviced by dealer including valve check at 26K ( I do oil changes). Faulty fuel pump replaced by dealer under warranty last year. No other problems, always ran perfectly. Dealer is tearing into it next week to look for valve damage at my cost. When issue is found, they submit it to Yamaha for warranty repairs (I took out 5 year extended warranty). Yamaha approves, they pay everything, they don't approve I'm stuck. How can the bike run perfectly one day and have major valve damage the next? I've never noticed any Tracers having valve issues! Any ideas? Thanks

Just use a small board or piece of plywood and ride or push the bike's back wheel on it leaving clearance for the center stand to contact the floor. This gives you more clearance for the center stand to work. A 1/2' piece of plywood makes a big difference in the ease of getting bikes on their centerstands. Try it.

Can't help on the lowering, however if you're having a difficult time raising your bike on the center stand, just drive the bike rear wheel on a small piece of plywood (1/2" thick or so) or whatever so that the back wheel is sitting on that and your center stand clears the wood. Just a little makes a difference. Not too easy to travel with but handy in the garage.

It happened. Fuel pump from Yamaha arrived at dealer on 11/23. Dealer installed and weather allowed me to pick it up yesterday. Took little ride and all is good in my Tracer world again. Yamaha extended warranty did cover the entire expense. My invoice does not show what the cost would have been. Off on a longer ride today.

Dealer tells me Yamaha said new fuel pump to arrive 11/23. Ready next day. Certainly hope they delivery as they say, what's the chance. Will advise.

Thanks for feed back guys. Yes dealer has bike. Just spoke to service dept there and they are trying to locate fuel pump from other dealers, Told them of Partzilla and of course they told me Yamaha would not honor warranty cost if they had to order out of Yamaha network. They are to let me know Tuesday. I told them I wasn't willing to wait long for Yamaha to supply the part, that I would get from Partzilla and deal with Yamaha later. Will see what happens next week. Makes you wonder about buying extended warranty sometimes. I did get a new motor on my 2013 Triumph Explorer in 2017 with 40K on it from warranty. First time I had bought extended warranty. Old age makes you buy these things I'm afraid.

Looked up fuel pump issues on forum and this came up. Just had new RSIV Dunlops put on and chain/sprocket by my dealer, rode home, parked and was so ready to ride. Two days later, got on it to ride and the above issue of no firing up when I cranked it. Tried most of these remedies (key, WOT, fuse check, etc.) with no success. I use ethanol free gas as well, Finally got service appointment at dealer. Yesterday they tell me it is a bad fuel pump. Dealer said Yamaha does not have any fuel pumps and they will try to see if any dealers have any. They said $750+ for repair/parts. I took out extra Yamaha warranty and should be covered. Doesn't help if they have no parts. Waiting to hear next week if the find a fuel pump. Very frustrated with this problem. Fortunately, I have another bike to ride for mind clearing, however, the Tracer is my favorite. Just turned 21,000 miles. Thought others might like to know fuel pumps to go out.....if this dealer is correct.