Jayzonk

Keeping both wasn't an option? Seems to me that the 300 Rally would have taken you to some more offroad places. Gorgeous bike! Did you upgrade the forks and rear suspension? What a beauty.

Hate to admit it, but I'm not sure which Quad-Lock handlebar mount I need for the '20 Tracer 900GT. Anyone know what the bar diameter is? There's the other options...the mirror mount and the fork stem mount. Anyone have any suggestions as to which one is the least interfering with the steering and cables?

Going to be going on a two-week tour through the US States in early summer on the '20 Tracer. I think I'm ready but thought I would check to see what else I might need: 1) I've bought an MRA Vario X screen and am waiting for it to arrive. Need to minimize some buffeting if I'm going to be riding daily for 500km a day. At 5'11.5" I find the stock screen alright in the low position but would appreciate some higher wind coverage, depending on the weather. Haven't tested the new screen but the reviews are excellent. 2) OEM top box and OEM panniers. I know I'm not supposed to use the three together, but I won't be carrying a passenger, so I should be well under the gross vehicle weight limit (and any undue stress on the subframe). 3)Yamaha FJR liners - I have these, but they are a tad too big for the panniers, as they were designed for the FJR. There are no Tracer 900GT specific liners from Yamaha. Wondering if there might be an aftermarket company that makes some that fit well? 4) Have the OEM comfort seat but haven't tried it. Anyone use it? 5) Tires. I'm running the stock tires with 5000km on them. I guess they're three years old at this point. Should be adequate? I'd like to have a sporty tire on the bike at some point. What works well? 6) What else do I need? I have a spare tire kit, but do I need any other tools? I don't have a phone mount but something easy would be good.

What's your inseam? I'm a 33"

Yes it would! Got looking at the Ninja 1000SX as well but likely too similar to the tracer bit tighter ergos. But Ninja 1000SX ergos are also really good for me. Good relaxed fit.

He states that the pegs are quite high suggests that the CB1000R would be for shorter riders. He's 6'2", so I suspect he means shorter than himself, but by how much, I do not know. I remember it feeling tight as well. Sounds kind of crazy, but a naked bike with a fairing would be nice. Sounds like a paradox but really, the attitude of the nakeds is much different than the superbikes, with their compact rider triangles and forward-leaning body positions (for getting more weight over the front wheel). I don't think there's any reason that would preclude building a naked (upright style) bike with a fairing. Would remind me of the Suzuki Bandit, for example.

Hi, looking to see who has had or tried both. Just looking for a good short hop/curvy road day tripper bike. MT09 SP ergos are perfect for me but love the attention to detail on the Honda CB1000R. Like the idea of having an inline four as well as I already have a triple '20 tracer). My only concern is that the seating position. I think the CB's footpegs are higher but I can't remember how much higher. Last sat on one a year ago and remember them being up a bit...not as bad as a full on Superbike but close. No dealer currently has one so I can't recheck it right now. I'm a tad over 5'11" and love the extra leg room. Wondering of anyone has any experience with both and can comment about that as well as handling/ride quality.

😆😆😆😆😆 I think my generation has been brainwashed to be ultra competitive lol.

Agreed. I'd probably lose half a day to a day after travelling all of that way anyway. Would be nice to be down with fresh tires.

Great. Do you ride all the way from Minnesota? I'm in SW Ontario and I've covered part of the ground getting there, but I think most of it is pretty good, esp if you head east then south through PA and West Virginia.

Perhaps a KLX300 supermoto would be just as good...agile, slower, and still upright! The locals must have a level of familiarity with riding it that exceeds everyone else....there's a reason they ride supermotos there.

Thanks for the write-up. Actually, I have taken a YCRS course on a racetrack, but I am by no means a racer or even close. I took the course for the sake of learning how to corner using trail braking, how to body position for curves, and generally how to ride briskly but safe. Haven't been on a track since that time (2020 I think), so that's why I was considering an R3 as more ideal. They have them at the YCRS track, and they are such a nice, compact, package that my first thought was that it might make for a less stressful trip through the Gap (and other roads) as long as I get some practice for a few months at home first. That being said, I'm pretty confident on my Tracer, and I am used to how it respond from my feedback, which might make for the safest experience.

Too funny...no kickstand required there!

Thanks. I thought about taking a used MT-09 or SP on the trip instead, thinking that the lower seat height and sportier suspension might make things more interesting on the roads there. All in all, though, I suspect that the engine in mine (the 849cc) is so similar to the new engine (890cc) that the riding experience would be pretty much the same.

Yes, that's interesting. I've often wondered about some dizziness when going from one corner to the other, which could lead to some freezing of the eyes/head instead of looking where the bike is supposed to be going. Are there lots of spots on the tail to stop and rest? That's probably how I'd approach it - do a section, stop, think through it, then restart. But you're right...the whole physical fatigue or brain fatigue would happen regardless of the bike you are on. With some bikes being easier to turn into a corner, perhaps a lighter, smaller bike is an advantage. That being said, you'd want to make sure it had a good ABS setup and that you were familiar with the way it worked, braking limits, etc.

Going to try the Tail of the Dragon this summer for the first time. Was thinking about riding the whole way and taking the Tracer, but was considering buying a smaller bike like a used Yamaha R3 and trailering it. Just thinking about all of the curves and wondering if going smaller might be a little more fun than always worrying about keeping the throttle at bay. Lower seat height and less suspension travel (and stiffer springs?) might make the ride more sporty. Of course, there's the other roads to consider in the area and thinking that an R3 might also be enjoyable from a sport riding perspective.

You're looking for a 2022? I guess you're not getting the '23 in the US either.

I visited an Ontario dealership last week and one of the salespeople informed me that the Tracer 9GT is NOT coming to Canada this year. What a shame...the GT+ grey/black/blue color scheme is beautiful and the new tech, new seat would be nice.

I see. Is there some consensus building around that idea? I just happened to notice it myself that day. I hadn't been biased by reading any comments like that prior to observing it. I still love the new model, though. I'll take it over the BMW (which I test rode) any day, even if priced very closely. Love the CP3 and Yamaha reliability.

I just wanted to be clear that my observation of the lights was just an initial perception, and I was wondering if anyone else had the same perception of the lights. I haven't been past a 2021 or 2022 Tracer since that time and in those same circumstances, so I would like to hear how others are finding the lights. I think it would be interesting to do a "shine test" on a wall or something the dark, from a pre-defined distance, with the previous gen Tracer and the new one. I suspect it will demonstrate some equivalency in illumination, or some superiority with the new unit. That's my prediction anyway.

Looks like they added the front radar that's linked to the brakes so that the cruise control becomes speed adaptive. There's also a linked braking module. All good stuff. I have a 2020, so I've got the previous edition. I'd love to have the new tech, but I enjoy the previous generation too much. I picked up a top box and the comfort seats, so I'm pretty heavily invested in it. No regrets.

Hi, I do not see the 2023 Tracer 9 or 9 GT listed on the Canadian website yet. I've noted that both local Yamaha dealers have two new Tracers sitting on the floor from 2022. Not sure if this is an accurate indication of Tracer sales in Canada, but I don't see the 2023 listed. This is a bit disappointing, as I feel that the Tracer is highly underrated for the amount of fun/handling and versatility that I have with my 2020 900GT. With some creative marketing, I think Yamaha Canada could get more riders interested in the platform. That being said, I do not see it on the U.S. site either. Anyone know what's happening with it?

Yes, but I was wondering about the tire choice on it. It looks like it has a little bit of a higher sidewall tire, so perhaps less lean angle available? I am asking, not telling....don't want to spread false rumours!

To be honest, I start hitting that rush of power you're talking about and I start to get pretty nervous. It's usually around 85mph in fourth in the curves near my place on an inline four. Everything feels soooo different at that speed, so I do it infrequently. Maybe some track days to practice this summer, to get more familiarity with all of the top end....

That's interesting. The Honda 500's seem to exhibit a little more quality than other bikes of that displacement to me. Can't really put my finger on it, but the engine casings look good, the switchgear looks good too. And this year they added USD Showa Big Piston forks! --> same ones that the CBR650 is using. Has to be a huge improvement in handling. Might be worth looking into.