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Outfitting help requested


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Hi all, I'm taking a break and about to pull the trigger on a Tracer 900 or 900 GT for a cross country ride, and have a few questions for you. For reference, I used to ride an FZ-07 (loved the bike, hated the seat) and currently ride an R1200R which just has too much forward lean to make a good long distancer.

Can you tell me what bits and bobs you would replace or upgrade for the sake of reliability? I lightly searched these forums and found complaints about clutch cables and CCTs, for example. If you care to recommend accessories that work particularly well on this bike please speak up. For sure I plan to add a front fender extender and radiator guard and better windscreen, and will upgrade the seat.

How much up/back handlebar riser can you add? My arms seem to be a little shorter than the design point.

 

Edited by DaBizness
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@DaBizness - The reliability issue you mentioned were on the first gen FJ09.  I haven't heard of any reliability issues on the Tracer or GT.

Since you already mentioned a radiator guard, the only thing I would definitely recommend for your cross country ride is some sort of a highway peg.  

If you plan on wiring in a GPS, I do NOT recommend using the accessory 12v outlet, power adapters can vibrate and come loose.  I hardwired my GPS to one of the switched power plugs behind the screen, there should be 3 plugs available.

The GT comes really well outfitted from the factory, your biggest personalization will probably be ergonomics and comfort.  I personally benefited from adjustable levers and a custom built seat.

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***2015 Candy Red FJ-09***

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4 hours ago, DaBizness said:

How much up/back handlebar riser can you add? My arms seem to be a little shorter than the design point.

@DaBizness - Gilles Tooling have some well made solutions (expensive though!). This is what I use on my 2015 model and here's a link to the site for the GT version with all the details of the dimensioning that you seek.  Enjoy!

image.thumb.png.e7a308e7b24e8edca7369bfae50f6d81.png

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There is some adjustability built in to the bars on the GT by rotating the top clamps, but I believe this moves the bars forward and backward which may or may not help you.  As mentioned reliability should not be an issue.  The stock screen creates a lot of noise and buffeting and seems to be poorly designed.  A shorter screen works well when riding on hot days.  A few seem to be fine with the stock seat but most who spend a lot of seat time looked for a more comfortable alternative.  I have toured on the stock seat and find it bearable, but am looking for a more comfortable solution.

There is nothing like spending a day riding with friends in the grip of a shared obsession.

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Clutch cable problems and CCT issues were a problem back in 2015 when the bike was released, but I haven't heard anyone recently having issues with either of those items. Yamaha redesigned the clutch cable so the bend at the handlebar isn't so tight. I think they also changed the CCT back in 2015, and paid to replace them for anyone who started having issues. I haven't heard about this issue in a very long time.

Here is my list, in no particular order:

  1.  New windshield, the stock on the Tracer is better on the FJ 09, but the Madstad version is better still
  2.  Fuze Block - as you start to add accessories, you will quickly run out of places to plug them in, the Fuze Block solves that problem.
  3. Heated Gear - wired to your motorcycle - at least the jacket and gloves - even if you ride in the summer, night time can be chilly.
  4. BlasterX tail light - much brighter and flash patterns that really get the attention of the cars behind you
  5. Radiator Grill - you already mentioned this, but it is an inexpensive mod and can save you from a random rock stranding you on the highway
  6. Crash bars to protect the bike from fall overs
  7. Lighting - Get yourself some Denali lights, especially if you think you might end up riding early in the AM or past sunset. The stock lights are pretty poor
  8. New Seat??? On my 2015 FJ 09 I bought a corbin custom seat and loved it. My new Tracer 900 has a much better seat, but I'm still trying to figure out if I will keep it, or buy another after-market seat. 
  9. GPS and GPS Mount for your bike - keep the GPS in your line of sight, so you don't have to look down to see the GPS
  10. Top/Side Cases - you will need a lot of storage, and you should also get waterproof interior bags for your luggage. Having removable bags in the cases make it easy to grab the soft bags when you get to your hotel each night and walk into your room.
  11. Denali Sound bomb horn - the stock horn can't be heard on the highway, and sounds more like the Roadrunner cartoon character than an actual vehicle horn.
  12. Get a high quality helmet with good sound protection, noise on the highway can mess up your ears. I use Decibullz, but any high quality ear plug should help.
  13. Bluetooth helmet communicator - even if you are riding alone, being able to hear your music and podcasts is priceless. If you are riding with others, you can talk to each other hands free.
  14. And if you haven't already done the following, you might want to before you head out:
    1. Suspension adjustment for your height/weight - including the weight of the gear you will be carrying on the bike.
    2. ECU Flash - can help resolve many issues on the bike
  15. And Finally, get an AMA membership if you don't have one. Towing is expensive, and they provide good benefits for riders who are a long way from home.

Hope you have a great time, I envy you. I'll be taking some longer trips this summer, but the big trips will have to wait until retirement. 

 

 

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When good just isn't good enough, we make fast faster! We specialize in...
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store to purchase ECU flash for yamaha R1 R6 FZ09 FZ1

^^^These are the popular 3 ECU flashes that most people here use.

If you use the website search function, you will find hours and hours or reading to help you research a product that will work for you.

***2015 Candy Red FJ-09***

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7 hours ago, DaBizness said:

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated. Has anybody had a good experience with a specialist in the DC area that flashes ECUs?

Ivan was in NY, but moved to NC I believe over the spring. I have his flash. They are all good. I’m tempted to buy the used ECU on eBay for my bike and have  2WDW flash it. Then I can swap between the two and give a good report. Maybe if I reach out to 2WDW and tell them what I’m doing, they’ll give me a break on the flash in return for a proper Ivan / 2WDW review. 

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2015 FJ-09 - Andreani Cartridges, Ohlins 535 Rear Shock, LightTech Chain Adjusters, Yoshi Fender Eliminator, Blaster-X Integrated Tail Light/Blinkers,  Full Yoshi Exhaust, Ivan's Flash, Bagster Seat, Rizoma: (Bar, Grips, Bar Ends, Mirrors, Oil Cap, Rear Pegs) Bremob Corsa Corta Master Cylinder, Bremob RCS19 Hadraulic Clutch, GPR Steering Damper, Speigler Hydraulic Lines, EBC Brake Pads, Puig Screen, HealTech Quick Shifter, MPG Rearset, XSR900 Slipper Clutch, Driven Racing Halo Gas Cap, SW-Motch Front / Rear Axel Sliders,  R1 Rotors / 320mm Kit Conversion. 

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All kinds of money can be thrown at anything to make it a better touring machine. People have ridden a lot farther then most, with next to nothing done to their bikes.

Suspension and luggage. Start there!

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Cheers!
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I always find things I need to do with a new bike. When I got my tracer, I added the following items:

  1. Yoshimura Fender Eliminator Kit to remove the hideous tail end piece 
  2. Blaster X tail light with multiple flashing options to make me much more visible from the rear
  3. Fuze Block to add electrical pieces easier
  4. Electrical connection to run my heated jacket/gloves
  5. Radiator screen
  6. Denali sound bomb horn
  7. Denali Lights
  8. Garmin GPS Mount
  9. Madstad windscreen

 

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It's nice to know what other people have done to their bikes and to know what is available on the market, but, only you can determine what you find objectionable or needing upgrade on your machine and taking care of those issues first, then you can look at the other farkles as your wallet permits. Go out ride it for a few months and take it from there as farkling is highly addictive and tends to have a brutal effect on your bank account. I really shouldn't be the one giving advise here because I am the poster child for farkling!

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