Jayzonk

All black? I looked at the US website but didn't see it. I like both current color combos - silver/black or red/black.

I really like the idea of this thread, and it would be interesting to know how closely Yamaha would track the suggestions that we provide. Seeing that we know they must look at what's in the forum, it's probably wise to suggest changes that we would at least think would be within the same current budget for this bike. But I haven't ridden the new one, so my only reference point is my 2020. Hmmm.

Is the 3M adhesion promoter removable if you want to restore the panniers to original?

Even if you can't find a specific color match, a flat black wrap might be the answer. I haven't tried plasti-dip bulbs one others may have.

Well, I have a pretty serious back issue as well, and I highly recommend ATTACKING the back problem before anything else. For me, I have a personal trainer who works with me in the gym twice a week, and my back problem has been greatly minimized. My personal trainer is worth more to me than my doctor, any chiropractor, physiotherapist. Let things heal, then work with a personal trainer who understands these issues and can start building you from your core up. Keep it up twice a week...forever. He has me squatting and deadlifting again...two things I have feared and swore I could never do again in my life, but here I am doing that, and strengthening my back in the process. Once you get solid, you won't be worried about what bike you need to switch to. That being said, a DR650 with its cush drive would be lighter, easier to mount, and good for some short rides. Or an SV650. But, as I say, hang on, get your trainer, heal and build.

Of course! I suspect that any setup you use will be better if you are starting with better components. My biggest issue (and it's not that big) is that there seems to be some excessive rebound (which might have been better with a slightly longer wheelbase, like the 9GT) and a bit of a "clack" when I go over larger pavement cracks. It's not really an issue but thought that better suspension might smooth it out. As for handling, I'll adjust my riding style to match the setup.

This kind of thing might be interesting, but it's for Touratech aluminum panniers. Wondering if there's anything similar for our Tracer panniers.

Cool. Now matching my metallic burnt orange color is going to be fun.....

Me too. Pretty smitten with my 2020 GT and no real complaints. Just for pure hobby's sake, I was thinking about adding the Ohlins front and back, to perhaps add some plantedness feeling in the suspension. I'd like to at least experience the difference and see what I'm missing.

Of all the big sport tourers, I think it's pretty light, though. I think the H2SX, Concours, FJR all have 75 to 100 lbs on it. Not dissing any of those particular bikes....some guys like the weight and the planted feel. Depends on what you're after.

I haven't checked to see if it's an accessory. Have you? For lubing the chain, I don't mind rolling the bike ahead as I apply it, not a big deal. Tire repair on the other hand is going to be out if you can't get the back wheel off the ground, I think? Or can the plug system still work?

Glencoe? Shedden? Dutton? West Lorne?

Thanks!

The GSX-S is an interesting move though. If it works for Suzuki, how easy would it be for Honda to follow through with its own inline four 1000cc in the CB1000? Keep the mainframe, change the subframe, design the fairing and you're off to the races.

Or this one: Good rise of the fairing up, alongside the screen for extra protection.

The Versys 1000 is almost there but needed the fairing to extend up the screen a bit:

This whole windscreen thing keeps going on over and over and over. I wish someone would develop an ADV bike or upright bike like the Tracer with a bulbous fairing up front with an integrated screen (wrapped by the fairing) so that it doesn't oscillate all of the time. Pretty sure that's better than bolting anything up at the bottom with four bolts. Think: Tracer GT with FJR fairing up front (but smaller obviously!)

That's not even that tall of a screen! There's a few that are so tall that I think I'd actually be looking through them than above them. This one looks decent. How tall are you? And are you looking completely over it?

As for the lights, I just keep telling myself that the engineers must know what they're doing when they put those small lights on the bike. What I don't understand is that they could use larger lights and larger light housings to not only improve the lighting, but to add wind protection for the rider. I think what we're leaving out of the equation here is the difficulty in working with LED lights to properly project light down the road. They don't work on the same principles as our older incandescent lights, where the light would radiate into the concave parabola then be directed down the road. They use other principles, but haven't really looked into it much. I suspect that this different way of illuminating the road with LED's explains the smaller lights and housings.

I agree, a few degrees of lean angle on the upper body is actually preferable to a completely upright riding position. I can just move around on the seat to achieve that for the most part, but it's not quite the same as having the bike deliberately made in that configuration. I had a 2010 VFR1200F and it had the perfect setup that way. Totally regret selling that bike.

Yes, really deliberate Transformer robot look. But why?? It's such a departure from everything else they do. I can't make myself like it, no matter how hard I try. Makes me wonder if Yamaha had some secret marketing information about the type of person who rides a naked four cylinder litre bike!! Like they concurrently watched sci-fi movies? Hmmm

Have they improved that engine? The high compression/ high rpm has left them somewhat unreliable, but fine after rebuilds.

This looks fantastic and gets rid of the need for color matching. Nicely placed and not overwhelming.

Not surprised! It's a pretty unique color. Where are you trying next?

Nice graphics. Looks a little like the Japanese sunrays in blue and silver. Done yourself?