Some personal thoughts and comparisons between old and new

[wordsmith]

Some personal thoughts and comparisons between old and new…

After a decent outing today of a little over 300km (180mi) I thought I might comment on some aspects of my new 2019 GT, comparing it with the Gen1 Tracer in a few areas of significance.   It’s very early days yet on the GT, and of course as always YMMV, and I will not overdo the IMHOs.

Even at a few steps away, the Gen1 Tracer and GT have a very close visual relationship, so it’s likely a matter of if you love (or hate) the appearance of the earlier model you’ll love (or hate) the newer one.   I have always much preferred naked bikes, and the tiny side fairings on it just about stop the GT from being so naked as to be pornographic – I like it! 

The GT’s new front end is simpler than on the original Tracer, but I did like the faux carbon and other small elements like the honeycomb on the earlier model: they gave an interesting blend of surface textures and finishes.   The GT’s front looked initially a bit bland, but on closer inspection the charcoal grey finish (or is it black?), part of which has a discreetly-textured surface, is actually rather tasty.   This textured finish is also evident on part of the upper cast frame that’s immediately under the rear of the tank – it breaks-up what could be a rather extensive flat painted area.

Seated on the GT, an immediate point of difference is the appreciably slimmer handlebar width, narrower overall by 75mm/ 3”.   That’s a lot, doubtless in response to reports from daily commuters that the original wide Tracer ‘bars made filtering tricky.   I find the new ‘bars width OK, but felt I’d prefer the width of the original Tracer ‘bars as they so closely resembled those on my past GSs. 

I may regret the narrower ‘bar width, as I occasionally – and inadvertently – park carelessly, side-stand down, on a slope and have difficulty wrestling the bike back to upright.   Having the upper-body strength of a gnat doesn’t help!   I may have to carry a length of steel tube to slip over the ‘bar end and help me to lever the bike up if in need!

Another very obvious change is the larger cluster of controls on the ‘bars, especially the lhs, brought about by new controls and fresh designs and relocations of some functions.   An extra hand on each arm would be useful in dealing with all these!

The new TFT display screen, smaller than the original, also stands out, being less angular and altogether neater.   But the lettering is quite small, to the degree that in strong sunlight today and with my internal sun-visor down I had some difficulty taking-in everything at first glance.   I imagine that if riding in the wet the effect of rain-drops on the external helmet visor may make readability even more difficult.

Immediately above the new display screen the on-the-go screen height-adjuster seems a bit bulky for its task, but is infinitely less fiddly than the original’s system, which couldn’t be adjusted on the move.   Riding off today I quickly realised that the helmet buffeting was probably due to the screen being in the lower position: an instant adjustment from the seat soon fixed that! 

The windscreen itself has a slightly changed shape, looks thicker, and is said to be a little taller and wider, but on the road seemed to perform much the same, but without that distracting back-and-forth oscillation of the top of the OE item.   I believe I am that rare bird who found no real fault with the original screen!

Sitting on the new seat it is apparent that it’s a good deal firmer than the OE Tracer plank, while visually it's much more attractive with its contrast stitching and better shape.   The original hideous torture device was really bargain-basement in both looks and performance.   

I think the new perch gives a slightly higher seated position that the original, and I can only just flat-foot with it in its lowest position.  But although it’s early days the new seat does not seem to offer me any improvement in comfort, being hard and unyielding and slipping me forwards on braking and when over lumpy sections of road.    In fact today’s outing combining the seat’s discomfort and the (stock) suspension’s harshness was about as uncomfortable as any ride that I can recall: I believe I left a trail of dental fillings behind me, and certainly wouldn’t even consider longer rides or multi-day touring at present.  

With some long-ish tours planned, but also for shorter outings like today’s I may have to find another $450 - $500 for an aftermarket replacement seat, which is very disappointing.   And for a preferred BAGSTER seat from France it’s going to be a long wait, as I understand that due to the need for new seat pans first production of GT seats may be ten weeks away (early October?).   This is about the time I'd planned to depart for a ~4,500 trip north, so it may be delayed unless the stock seat breaks-in nicely - but I'm not holding my breath!    What are others' experiences with the GT seat I wonder.

A cautionary word here: the GT’s seat pans are markedly different to those on the Gen1 Tracers: those owners hoping to transfer an existing aftermarket seat will find it does not fit, and anyone ordering a new aftermarket seat is warned that ordering for a Gen1 Tracer will also not work.

Talking of the stock suspension, out-of-the-box I found it very harsh, but knowing that the newly-upgraded suspensions front and rear are said to offer more potential for fine-tuning than earlier bikes, I’m quietly confident that I can get it to at least an acceptable level of performance, if not better that that, as indeed I did on my previous Tracers.  

We here in Oz do not appear to be blessed with a multitude of after-market suspension tuning gurus or parts, unlike our North American cousins, in fact I wouldn’t know here to go or who to ask for if seeking professional help – or, frankly, who to trust.

The extended swing-arm – apparently for better touring-oriented stability – is not immediately apparent, and I didn’t find anything unfamiliar about the bike’s handling as a result of the added few inches.   But – and it is a large and positive but – has the longer swing-arm and associated geometry changes made the GT seemingly easier to pop onto the main stand?   I think it does…    

On earlier Tracers that I owned (2 x Matte Grey: 1 x Dark Blue/ Gunmetal: 1 x Lava Red)) the paintwork was so thin that it must have been photographed on.   The GT’s paintwork – Midnight Black (how creative is that!) and silver – seems much thicker and glossier, almost ladled-on instead of sprayed-on, and certainly more in-line with Italian and other high-quality and much more expensive machines.   ‘Deep and lustrous’ is the term that motorcycle media writers always use to describe such nice paintwork – in this case, it fits.   In fact, I may go further and claim that the fit and finish on this new GT is about as good as on any new bike I have owned, including several premium-priced BMWs.

The gloss paint on the front fender adds a touch of class to it all too.   And I do rather like the ‘blurple’-coloured ‘swoosh’ decal on each side of the tank: not overdone, but just lifting it a little.   If I can find a good colour-match I may put a matching ‘swoosh’ on the pannier lids too.

(And talking of the tank, I find the shapely and multi-contoured  GT (and Tracer) fuel tanks to be extremely attractive, very much along the lines of what may have come out of the Ducati, MV Agusta, or Aprilia factories.   But then I do recall reading that the Tracer was designed and developed in Italy).

The much-mocked Star Wars/ Buck Rogers hand-guards on the original Tracer – I didn’t mind them at all – have now been redesigned on the GT to a much simpler, smoother and less extreme look.   They seem to work OK…

The cruise-control couldn’t be easier to use, totally intuitive, and on some longer Motorway sections today was a bit of a blessing: it will be mighty handy on some of those l-o-n-g and boring outback roads

Mirror stems on the GT are longer, and give a much clearer rearwards view, although the rider’s elbows and shoulders may now feel a bit neglected.   I have already fitted the small 2” diameter ‘blind spot’ aux mirrors, as I have grown used to them, but it’s really not essential.

Pannier mounts on the original Tracers were bolt-on additions, which worked but didn’t look very pretty, but now the new integrated mounts on the GT give a much smoother and integrated look.      

Pleasingly, the same key is now used for both ignition and pannier locks.   The seat-release keyhole is well-hidden (until you know where it is) which will minimise any chance of bending the cheesy key while walking past the bike with it in its original very exposed ‘sticking-out’ position, which I did more than once.  

But in the ignition the key is deeply hidden and access made even harder than originally due to the extra numbers and larger sizes of assorted cables and wiring conduits surrounding it.   I’m thinking about making a metal fold-up extension for the key just to make it easier to get at it.

Passenger grab-rails are markedly different on the GT, silver instead of black and more aggressively styled, if that’s your thing.   But I have fitted a Yamaha rear rack, in the absence of any after-market alternative, and that replaces and incorporates the grab-rails.

I have no views on the new-to-the-GT slipper clutch, quick-shift, and heated grips as none has been in operation yet.   And the heated grips and quick-shift likely may never be used! 

So  - is everything quite perfect then?   In a word – no.   As noted, the ignition key is still located in that deep well in front of the handlebar riser and behind the display screen, and remains hard to get at and ‘fumbly’.  

The new location of the seat-release keyhole is also going to be fiddly.   And I’d have liked the clutch-lever to be span-adjustable, as is the front brake-lever.  

The rubber ‘cap’, as Yamaha calls it, that hides the front seat-release catch, is a nightmare to remove and replace without the aid of dynamite, and is a very poor bit of design.   I’ll leave it out from now on.  

 And ‘tool-kits’ are getting worse.   Next, they will comprise only the tiny black plastic sachet!

But one of my biggest niggles is that in its wisdom Yamaha has decided to sell the GT on our Oz market with unpainted pannier lids, unlike elsewhere, which I consider a cheapskate move.   Why?

So - is the GT a step forward over the Gen1 Tracer?   Definitely, although many differences are quite subtle.   But once my issues with the seat and suspension shortcomings are overcome the other changes and spec upgrades should make the GT a better buy, a better bike, and more suited to a touring role than its predecessor.  

I’m looking forward to putting this new bike through its paces as the year progresses, and already have two long-ish ~4500km tours in mind for October/ November.  

(Last three pix are from today's outing).

Let the farkling continue, then – Ride On!

Edited July 9, 2019 by wordsmith

[johnmark101]

I recently did a three day, 1200 mile ride and the stock seat was pretty uncomfortable.  Like you I am looking for a replacement.  Why the heck Yamaha sells the bike in your market with unpainted pannier lids is beyond me!!

[wordsmith]

4 hours ago, johnmark101 said:

I recently did a three day, 1200 mile ride and the stock seat was pretty uncomfortable.  Like you I am looking for a replacement.  Why the heck Yamaha sells the bike in your market with unpainted pannier lids is beyond me!!

Me too - again, I reckon it's nothing more than a cheapskate thing.   Painting them in the factory along with all the other stuff could surely cost no more than few yen - or dollars.   Could anyone imagine Rolls Royce leaving the Flying Lady emblem off the hood/ bonnet to save a few quid?   

Edited July 9, 2019 by wordsmith

[betoney]

@wordsmith - Very nice write-up comparing the two models.  I really like the smoother body angles, especially the front end/headlights. 

Since the shock doesn't have compression adjustment like the forks, it might be a little harder to dial out the harshness.  On the FJ, my experience was that the shock was in much more need of an upgrade than the forks.  If you need advise on your suspension, just ask. 

[wordsmith]

Thanks, betoney.   I'll do some reading-up to refresh my three remaining brain cells on the subject, which has always seemed as much to me as some black-magic art rather than pure science!   But on my previous non-GT Tracer I did manage quite quickly to hit the sweet spot - well, maybe not exactly sweet, but not too sour either - so I'm quite hopeful.   I shall certainly ask here for any further guidance needed.

i must say that after penning my words and re-reading them just now I do feel rather despondent - new $18,000 bike- crap seat, crap suspension, badly let-down!   But both can be fixed, one with more dosh being thrown at it (which shouldn't be necessary), the other with some blood, sweat and tears.   Yamaha can make a decent seat - the one on my 1763cc mighty MT-01 had the best - or maybe second best - of all OE seats I've experienced.

Edited July 9, 2019 by wordsmith

[chitown]

Interesting, thanks for the report.

Re suspension help: google says Queensland has a few "raceways" offering motorcycle track days. In the US it is common for a local suspension shop to be at the track with a shop-in-a-trailer doing track setups and trying to drum up new business from riders both on and off track. Even if I don't need their setup services I always chat them up and grab a business card. Has come in handy in the past when a friend's rear shock dumped its oil the night before a trip. If there are any local racing forums you can usually find discussion of suspension vendors there as well. Good suspension isn't just for the track but it's often the small shop's bread and butter.

[betoney]

8 minutes ago, chitown said:

In the US it is common for a local suspension shop to be at the track with a shop-in-a-trailer doing track setups and trying to drum up new business from riders both on and off track.

Good suspension isn't just for the track but it's often the small shop's bread and butter.

GREAT suggestion, that is exactly where I got mine setup.  They set sag, ride height/geometry and a baseline for compression and rebound as well as answering a million questions that I had.

"Good suspension isn't just for the track"  - Thank you!!   I wish everyone could ride two identical bikes, one stock, one with great suspension, to really feel the difference.  My buddy, also an FJ owner completely dismissed aftermarket suspension for the longest time, until we were on a road trip and swapped bikes... I couldn't get him to give my bike back.  He ordered new suspension the day we returned from the trip!  😎 

[dbeau]

I don't know if I'll ever get over that the GT came out like 6 months after I got my 2017. Cruise control is the big one that burns me up. Thanks for your thoughts though.👍

[fjrpittsburgh]

As far as the ignition key being in the little well, simply make a habit of turning the front wheel to the left before removing the key.  Easy peasey.

[runnerhiker]

Good report, very similar to my findings, except:  I love the quick shift and use it a lot, and heated grips sure come in handy in Colorado.

The only negative I would add is that the I think the thumb wheel should be in the left hand cluster, I use it everytime I ride.  The traction control, which is on the left and I never use, would be better on the right.

[quaxum]

Is the power on the gear 6 the same as the power on your first gens? i've heard the euro 4s are really restricted.

[wordsmith]

Living in Australia I doubt we'd get any such restrictions, and I have not detected any loss in power.

[Oneminde]

That's it, I am getting a 2018 non GT. Initially I liked the color TFT and cruise control is a must, but the c.c can be added later and regarding the LCD display, in the long run, the original "Ténéré" display is better. The value difference between a std and GT is a big chunk of a new suspension, or wire spoke wheels etc. So getting in on a 2018 model for about $8k usd isn't a bad idea at all.

Peace.

Edited August 27, 2020 by Oneminde

[thewrenchbender]

On 7/9/2019 at 7:43 PM, runnerhiker said:

Good report, very similar to my findings, except:  I love the quick shift and use it a lot, and heated grips sure come in handy in Colorado.

The only negative I would add is that the I think the thumb wheel should be in the left hand cluster, I use it everytime I ride.  The traction control, which is on the left and I never use, would be better on the right.

This. 

i would trade the RH wheel for changing throttle “mode” and anti-skid “mode” for the LH trigger and up-down toggle to access screens/menus/grip heat in a heartbeat...

[GTO MIKE]

I thought the same on the thumbwheel have it on the left and switch the TC and ride mode to the right grip . Have to have throttle closed anyway to change those two . Yamaha must think nobody going to scroll through those while moving ,but I roll through mine quite often on the move . You can reach over on a straight stretch or slip into cruise for a roll through also. Just seems they didn't quite think it through!