OldBikers

I had no problems with the T32s in the wet and I have been in several downpours.  I did find that a light or fresh rain makes the roads slipperier but with continued rain the tires hold well.  I am on Michelin Road 6 now because my dealer had them in stock and didn't have any T32s.  As far as I can tell the wet performance is about the same.

5 minutes ago, Brian said:

Try a Corvette. Have had my C6 for 17 years. But I have gone from hopping in and out in my 40's... to falling onto the seat and rolling myself out in my 60's. Hell getting old!

LOL, I have a Hyundai Veloster and my 70 and 80 year old friends all have issues getting in and out of it.  Me, I just lead with my butt fall onto the seat and bring my legs in.  Turned 74 this year.

You will like it.  Great bike and I don't miss my old FZ-01 much.

1 hour ago, Ride365 said:

Time for a sporty convertible, good wishes and farewell sir!!!

Exactly.  No Trike or Spyder for me, a Miata sounds like a good idea if I give up riding.  (A 3 wheeler is very impractical for me as I live in a condo with limited parking and expensive.)

If you're interested I have a set of SW-Motech frame sliders that I'm not using since replacing those with crash bars.  I'll be in Toronto the second week of June.

13 hours ago, Tim Anderson said:

What lights did you get?  I'm definitely planning on some driving lights up front to improve my visibility.  Don't ride much at night but not a fan of the little headlights.  Denali and Clearwater are great but very $$$... any other suggestions?  Thanks! 

I ended up getting the SW Motech crash bars and lights for my 2021 GT.

It doesn't just bolt on but it does have supporting arms that attach to the frame.  It's a very solid mount.

When I purchased my 2021 there were no Yamaha rear racks available so I bought the SHAD rear rack which is so much more supportive than the Yamaha and it opens up to a large variety of SHAD top cases, who also makes the Yamaha cases.  So I have a 45L case for long trips and a 34L case for around town and short trips.

I have a 2021 with very little vibration, if any.

The OEM signals are retained with a plastic clip that is sometimes a PITA to install properly.  Check to see if yours is on correctly.  Non-OEM will differ by the maker, some clip on others are held in place by a nut.

Unless your helmet is an XXL it should fit but there's a trick to do so, you need to put it in upside down.  My Nolan modular with the SENA 50S on the side fits in.

As mentioned above, the 24 is virtually the same as the 21-23.  I have the SHAD 45L top case on a SHAD rear rack.

15 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said:

For Shad, even between sizes, the racks are different.  It can be confusing which rack fits which box.  My SH46 rack works with the SH29 box but you must check interchangeability.  No idea if the Yami boxes even fit the Shad racks but you'd think they would!!!

Yes, I have both the SHAD SH45 and SH34.  The SH34 fits the SHAD SH45 base but the SH45 does not fit on the SH34 base.  The SH34 base is smaller.

Correct, the mounting is different for the SHAD and Yamaha racks.  BTW, even within the SHAD product line there are differences in the way the top cases are mounted.

I suppose you can dril the Yamaha rack to bolt on the SHAD mounting plate or rig something up.l

No top cases or racks were available in the USA when I purchased my 2021 T9 so I ended up buying a SHAD 45 and rack for the T9.  Got it right away.  Since then I purchased a SH34 top case and the SHAD click lock 9L tank bag.

I was browsing at the dealer last Monday and they have a 2024 T9GT+ on the floor.  Well I just had to throw a leg over it and found that it comes with the comfort seat as stock.  Hmmm, it feels good and supportive of the sit bones.  So I asked if I could order one for my 2021, however, no comfort seat is listed in the USA.  On a hunch we checked the accessory list for the 2024 and the seat is available in the USA so I bought one.  It's mounting is identical to all T9s.☺️

I've been using Radian moldable ear protection for about ten years now.  They are like epoxy where you mix the two components together and insert in your ear, they set and retain their shape.  Easy to use easy to clean and cost only $20 or so and comes in different colors.

I changed from the T32s to Michelin Road 6 in the rear and Michelin Power 5 on the front due to an ordering error.  Rode from Chicago to the Blue Ridge and they seemed to work well in the Twisties of Tennessee and N Carolina. 

Sadly, none that I know of. You can try to get the 50L one

I wanted to get the 39L case but none were available for my 2021 T9GT back then.  So I ordered a Shad SH45 and mounting hardware. Since then I added a Shad SH45, both fit on the same rack. 

I've been to the Pyrenees and it is an awesome experience, however, it was not the extreme tour.  I also have done the high Alps tour.  This year I am planning to do the best of Italy tour in May.

I use the stock screen in the middle position and have an aerodynamic helmet that solves the buffeting issue. The air goes right up to where my helmet is.  The only wind is from the sides of the screen but it's no worse than riding a naked.  I'm 5'9".

Nice report.  I did the Eidelweiss Alps tour on a Yamaha Tracer 900 GT in 2019 and was very impressed then with both the tour and bike.  Ultimately in 2021 I bought the Tracer 9 GT after riding an FZ01 and was, still, very pleased with how versitle it is.

11 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said:

You're just lazy Dave, and use the plastic as an excuse 🫢

And immature when you get new toys and can't wait to get them installed 😁

But I'd rather have you pass out in the Bret Cave first than we finally get you here with parts finally so I can pop em in

LOL

It's not a case of being lazy.  I wanted to get those lights wired before I went to the Blue Ridge and didn't have the patience to wait for you as you kept delaying.  I appreciate your offer to work on the bike but it seems that it doesn't happen as expected.

As far as cost goes, what the shop charges is worth it for the peace of mind that the job was done right.  They have the computer dongle to check for codes and fix them when all you see is the check engine light.  I bought a shop manual and it is OK but still leaves a lot to be desired.

😁

17 hours ago, ZigMerid said:

Well, it's not a first oil change, it's a first service which happens to include an oil change.

 

I'm in the group that says to let the service pros go over the bike for the first service.  They are experienced to see things the average backyard mechanic misses.  I have worked on bikes for years but today they are so complicated electronically that I feel better to let the professionals do the work and I am still able to afford it.

I may add that I live in a high rise condo where working on any vehicle is not allowed by the HOA.  (Of course we do cheat and do things we're not allowed to do like putting on accessories and such.)

I had GIVI V35 cases and 40L top box on my FZ-01 and there were warnings on both not to exceed 75mph.  Really!  That conbo has seen triple digits.

Fast forward to today and the T9GT with stock sides and a SHAD SH45 on top.  I believe that the 80mph warning is due to the aerodynamics of the luggage and they are concerned with maintaining stability on the road.  With all the cases on you can expect more wind buffeting especially from the draft of an on coming Semi.  I haven't really noticed any stability issues from cross winds even as I "approach" trip;e digits.

You will really enjoy the Road 6s.  They're not sport tires but they do a good job in most road conditions and will last to 10 to 12K miles.

If it wasn't for price and reliability issues I would have gone with the BMW 1000XR but after getting the T9GT I'm glad I went with the 21 T9GT as I really don't miss the 30 to 50 more hp.  I no longer have that need for speed at my age and physical condition.