9GT for a day......

[bowlin01]

Whilst my 2018 GT900 was in for its' 24k mile service I was loaned a 2022 9GT so, for what its worth, here are my initial impressions on the 9GT after riding it for just under 250 miles....

Seat/ seating position (in the 'low' position as I'm a dwarf)- I've never had an issue with the GT900's seat (as many seem to) but found that the 9GT seat was very comfortable and liked that I felt that I was sat more 'in' the bike rather than 'on' it, very nice.

Engine/ gear box - Smooth as butter, lots of torque and acceleration, absolutley LOVED IT! The quickshifter is sooo smooth, although I rarely use it as I think they detract from the riding experience.

Windscreen - Pants, awful, just as bad as the GT900 oem was.

Handling - Excellent, great in the twisties. The whole ride felt much 'smoother' than my GT900 (could be just that the loaner  bike had only 500 miles on it)

Dashboard - Awful, do not like the split screen layout and it is at the wrong angle, as soon as the slightest sunlight hits it I couldn't see a thing. Very poor both asthetically and functionally.

Looks - Generally better irl than in photos, although I can't stand that fact that only one 'spotlight' is on when in daylight running. Why not have both on ???? Looks awful.

Would I get one? - No. Not yet at least, the spy shots seem to suggect that Yamaha are replacing the split screen dashboard with that from the TMAX. If that happens then I might consider it. The aftermarket parts suppliers would also have to have produced much more for the 9GT before I would consider buying one. (This should have improved in a year or so I'm hoping)

Cheers

Steve

 

Edited July 30, 2022 by bowlin01

[2and3cylinders]

Price wise there are now challengers like the NT1100, GSXS1000GT, Ninja SX1000, even the KTM 890 Adventurer if one has a nearby dealer and wants to roll the dice.

[bowlin01]

2 minutes ago, 2and3cylinders said:

Price wise there are now challengers like the NT1100, GSXS1000GT, Ninja SX1000, even the KTM 890 Adventurer if one has a nearby dealer and wants to roll the dice.

Yeah the NT1100 looks ok (as long as I can get a non DCT to try, but all the ones at dealers in the UK seem to be DCT), the GSXS100GT and Ninja both have uncomfortable seating/ riding positions for me, (too much weight on the wrists), won't touch another KTM after all the problems I had with the one I owned and the almost non-existant dealer support.          

[2and3cylinders]

Funny, I want to try the DCT as I have hand / finger / joint issues.

I know the GSX & Ninja are not for everyone but I did over 100k miles on a Firestorm albeit I modded it into a pretty flexible sport tourer, even building a 5.2 gallon tank; which still isn't enough because it's so thirsty.  I still have two but my body is not up to extended rides on it again yet.  Hopefully I will be able to but Im not getting any younger.  Hence my CP3.

And I did qualify getting a KTM. The Kawi Versys 1000 LT is attractive but more costly and much heavier, as is the Suzi V-Strom 1000 but both seem boring.  Though the NT may be as well.

[kilo3]

3 hours ago, bowlin01 said:

Whilst my 2018 GT900 was in for its' 24k mile service I was loaned a 2022 9GT

Whhhaattt?

This is a thing over there? Would be laughed out of the dealership if you even though about asking for that here.

[Grumpy Goat]

4 hours ago, bowlin01 said:

Seat/ seating position (in the 'low' position as I'm a dwarf)- I've never had an issue with the GT900's seat (as many seem to) but found that the 9GT seat was very comfortable and liked that I felt that I was sat more 'in' the bike rather than 'on' it, very nice.

...

Dashboard - Awful, do not like the split screen layout and it is at the wrong angle, as soon as the slightest sunlight hits it I couldn't see a thing. Very poor both asthetically and functionally.

Looks - Generally better irl than in photos, although I can't stand that fact that only one 'spotlight' is on when in daylight running. Why not have both on ???? Looks awful.

Thanks for the ride report. I think that Yamaha could have a winner with this bike. They just need to fire the stylist first. The above items that makes me take a pass on the current GT. You said you sat "in" the bike more than "on" it and I guess that is because of the curved seat. I am not a fan ... I ride long distance sometimes and like a flat seat. And I don't like having to go spend additional money to get a custom seat which may or may not work. The dash is another deal-breaker especially when I hear that despite the fugliness, it is also functionally deficient. The looks are not a deal breaker although I am not in love with it and regarding the one-eyed spotlight look I agree with you.

Triumph is the other manufacturer of triples (which I like) but they have gone to some BS firing order to make the bike sound like a V-twin ... why are manufacturers doing this? If I wanted that old-school sound I'd get a V-twin. To my ears the Yamaha triple sounds much nicer than the Triumph triples of similar class. 

Hopefully Yamaha can offer a better designed Tracer GT in time for the next time I am seriously in the market, although I am leaning towards the next 1300 GS.

[bowlin01]

On 7/30/2022 at 12:44 PM, kilo3 said:

Whhhaattt?

This is a thing over there? Would be laughed out of the dealership if you even though about asking for that here.

@kilo3Yep pretty standard, had the 9GT for two days (but only had time to get out on it 1 day).

Dealers are keen to sell motorbikes they are more than happy to loan out the newest bikes from their test fleet if/ when they have your bike in for a Service/ maintenance that cannot reasonably be done 'while you wait'.

Seems sensible to me, donlt quite understand why your DEalers donlt do it. Are you lot really that untrustworthy? 😂🤣

 

[bowlin01]

On 7/30/2022 at 2:32 PM, Grumpy Goat said:

Hopefully Yamaha can offer a better designed Tracer GT in time for the next time I am seriously in the market, although I am leaning towards the next 1300 GS.

@Grumpy Goat I could never buy a GS, although they are great bikes, they are far too common here, everybody in the sheep herd has one. Plus they have the 'old man' reputation here 🤣😂🤣, usually you progress from  GS to a mobility scooter 😂

 

[kilo3]

2 hours ago, bowlin01 said:

@kilo3Yep pretty standard, had the 9GT for two days (but only had time to get out on it 1 day).

Dealers are keen to sell motorbikes they are more than happy to loan out the newest bikes from their test fleet if/ when they have your bike in for a Service/ maintenance that cannot reasonably be done 'while you wait'.

Seems sensible to me, donlt quite understand why your DEalers donlt do it. Are you lot really that untrustworthy? 😂🤣

 

Never understood it as well. Even when the dealers are flush with bikes, demo rides are impossible.  The only chance we get around here is when the factory demo rides show up, which for dealerships north of the salt belt (aka where it freezes in the winter), is your only chance to ride a new model.  Gets even worse for ATV's, dirt bikes, UTV, side by sides...ect.  You basically have to own it to test it.

[bowlin01]

9 minutes ago, kilo3 said:

Never understood it as well. Even when the dealers are flush with bikes, demo rides are impossible.  The only chance we get around here is when the factory demo rides show up, which for dealerships north of the salt belt (aka where it freezes in the winter), is your only chance to ride a new model.  Gets even worse for ATV's, dirt bikes, UTV, side by sides...ect.  You basically have to own it to test it.

@kilo3 Crazy, just crazy! I think I test rode bikes from Triumph, BMW, Suzuki, Yamaha and Royal Enfield before I made my choice. I can walk into any local Dealership and as long as I have my Drivers Licence, National Insurance Number (Social Security No. for you across the pond) and agree to the insurance excess/ damage agreement then you are good to go.

You generally find that once you have purchased/ built up a relationaship with a Dealer then they proactively call you when new models come out to see if you are interested in a test ride. When I was speaking to my Dealer about the 24k Service he offered me a choice of four bikes as loaners.

It seems so alien to me that I'd EVER buy a bike without at keast 2 or 3 test rides on it first. 

Edited August 1, 2022 by bowlin01

[1moreroad]

Before they went out of business a local dealer that knew me would let me take short test rides (10 miles or less) when the weather was perfect and mid-day when there was less traffic. 

The only way I got to ride an FJ was at a demo day like @kilo3 said (minus the salt in the Deep South). I test rode an FJ and FJR amd bought the FJ after lunch. 

We also had demos at the National motorcycle shows. I rode maybe a dozen bikes from Yamaha, Triumph, Harley, Indian, and Zero in a day. Sadly the whole tour was cancelled this year. 

[Grumpy Goat]

7 hours ago, bowlin01 said:

@kilo3Yep pretty standard, had the 9GT for two days (but only had time to get out on it 1 day).

Dealers are keen to sell motorbikes they are more than happy to loan out the newest bikes from their test fleet if/ when they have your bike in for a Service/ maintenance that cannot reasonably be done 'while you wait'.

Seems sensible to me, donlt quite understand why your DEalers donlt do it. Are you lot really that untrustworthy? 😂🤣

 

It is sensible to me also. However from what I can tell there is a HUGE difference between the motorcycle culture over here and the culture in Europe. Here it is purely a luxury and dealers expect to sell you a motorcycle with least amount of trialing if they can help it. If they trust you, you may get a test ride and if you look mature enough maybe the ride won't be escorted. You definitely won't get it for anything like a day or more. At least here in Houston they don't have a test / demo fleet and if bikes are set aside for demos they are not advertised as such (e.g. with labels etc.).

[Grumpy Goat]

7 hours ago, bowlin01 said:

@Grumpy Goat I could never buy a GS, although they are great bikes, they are far too common here, everybody in the sheep herd has one. Plus they have the 'old man' reputation here 🤣😂🤣, usually you progress from  GS to a mobility scooter 😂

When it comes to BMWs they are also the most popular over here as well and for me that is a down-side. I tend to like sport bikes which is why so far my boxer of choice is an RS rather than a GS. That said, much as I like riding, my bike is a tool albeit one that I enjoy using. I ride to get somewhere and to do something. nit ride for ride's sake. I often find it hard to go for a ride without destination (except when taking the bike out for exercise). I like touring and motocamping (remote / offroad) best, with the riding as secondary. This means that like it or not, the GS is the best tool for the job. I definitely do not fit into the Starbucks / poser crowd. 😄

[PhotoAl]

On 8/1/2022 at 8:22 AM, bowlin01 said:

@kilo3 Crazy, just crazy! I think I test rode bikes from Triumph, BMW, Suzuki, Yamaha and Royal Enfield before I made my choice. I can walk into any local Dealership and as long as I have my Drivers Licence, National Insurance Number (Social Security No. for you across the pond) and agree to the insurance excess/ damage agreement then you are good to go.

You generally find that once you have purchased/ built up a relationaship with a Dealer then they proactively call you when new models come out to see if you are interested in a test ride. When I was speaking to my Dealer about the 24k Service he offered me a choice of four bikes as loaners.

It seems so alien to me that I'd EVER buy a bike without at keast 2 or 3 test rides on it first. 

In the US it is super easy to get a motorcycle license.  My daughter has one but has only ridden a Honda Metropolitian scooter but could go buy a Goldwing and ride it legally.  In Europe with the graduated license system and insurance system it is much easier for a dealer to know they have a legitimate rider who is capable of handling the bike.  Here many folks start on 600cc sport bikes and even liter bikes.  I cannot imagine someone getting on a liter bike having never ridden before.  Add to all that the fact that we are a very litigious society and for the dealer loaning or demoing bikes is a no go.  

I have never ridden a bike before I bought it.  Did lots of homework and reading about the seating position etc. before I bought.  

[ZigMerid]

4 hours ago, PhotoAl said:

 In Europe with the graduated license system and insurance system it is much easier for a dealer to know they have a legitimate rider who is capable of handling the bike.

Pretty much the same graduated licensing here in Australia. But the dealer attitudes wrt test rides are much closer to the US experience than the UK/EU one by the sounds. IOWs getting a test ride on a new bike here is very hard excepting on when they run a "test ride" day - which as best I can determine has never happened for the 9GT. Very odd since any car dealer will let you take pretty much any car for a spin.

The other minor matter is that 9GTs are pretty rare here, so at least in my area, there's none to test ride anyway (sad face).