I don't think I love my Tracer

[frosky]

Long post, but here goes 

Hi all, I'm facing a little bit of an identity crisis with my motorbike and wanted to know if any others have gone through a similar thought process. 

I don't think I've properly introduced myself here either. Like many, I started riding the venerable Sv650 around 12 years ago. After a brief hiatus from motorcycling, I picked up a brand new 2015 FZ09 and fell in love with the triple we all know. In 2019, I got the liter itch and "upgraded" to a brand new 2019 Ninja 1000. My affair with the Ninja lasted almost exactly 1 year, and only a few thousand miles. Last year, I took on my current steed - a 2019 Tracer 900 that I bought new as a left over model.

So, here's the deal.... 

In hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have move on from the FZ09(now MT). The Ninja 1k was a great bike... It felt very refined and much more substantial than either model of CP3. I just got bored trying to ride that porker slower than it wanted to go. I told myself, the bike I reeeeaaaallly wanted was the Tracer. It had this amazing engine, was a little more grown up, and fits me better as I'm 6'3". I also had plans on taking a few longer trips, and riding with a pillion more often. 

Well, life has gotten busy, so no trips. And my pillion... Uh, didn't work out. 

My riding consists of the same type of riding I've always done, just with the bike I wanted for other reasons. I ride 2 or 3 times a week. Sometimes commute 10 miles one way. Occasionally put in a 150-200 mile weekend day. I don't need the luggage I have... 

Lately though, I'm really thinking of downsizing. I find myself wanting a smaller, lighter, simpler ride, that I can flog on the street or just putter around if I wanted. I've now got the twin cylinder itch and I'm seriously considering moving on from the Tracer. 

Some will say, just get another bike and keep the Tracer. To that I say, I don't have enough time to spend with one bike, let alone multiple. 

So, my current crisis is... I want a beginner bike. I feel like I want a simple, lightweight, water cooled, twin cylinder of the MT07/XSR700/Sv650 variety. 

 

 

[kilo3]

If I was 6 inches shorter, I would also be finding myself on an sv650, mt07, or even a monster. 

[Warchild]

1 hour ago, frosky said:

And my pillion... Uh, didn't work out. 

 Hmmmm... that doesn't sound very positive. Was it a long-term girlfriend departure, or the big 'D'... divorce? Either can weigh on a man and give him pause about a lot of things. 

Good luck with your decision process.  Nothing wrong with the SV650 or similar.  The 2021 SV650 seems damn inexpensive at $7700, brand new:

 

[betoney]

1 hour ago, frosky said:

I want a beginner bike. I feel like I want a simple, lightweight, water cooled, twin cylinder of the MT07/XSR700/Sv650 variety.

There's nothing wrong with any of those bikes, get the one you like and enjoy it.

[frosky]

19 minutes ago, Warchild said:

 Hmmmm... that doesn't sound very positive. Was it a long-term girlfriend departure, or the big 'D'... divorce? Either can weigh on a man and give him pause about a lot of things. 

Good luck with your decision process.  Nothing wrong with the SV650 or similar.  The 2021 SV650 seems damn inexpensive at $7700, brand new:

 

Eh, just a girlfriend. Divorce was a few years earlier 🤣. Price isn't really a consideration for me on this bike. I just have a feeling of wanting simplicity and no frills, but a sportish nature. Kind of feel like I've outgrown the interest in "rip your face off power". 

 

47 minutes ago, kilo3 said:

If I was 6 inches shorter, I would also be finding myself on an sv650, mt07, or even a monster. 

I thought hard about a monster. But I live in southern AZ and air cooled doesn't sound very appealing to me in this climate. 

[Yamajank]

I just rode a friends new xsr 700 and it was like a toy.  A fun little toy, but not something I could see doing much more than the 10 mile commute.  If it doesn’t give you at least a smile when you ride the tracer then maybe it isn’t the best one for you.  Good luck.

[frosky]

Just now, Yamajank said:

I just rode a friends new xsr 700 and it was like a toy.  A fun little toy, but not something I could see doing much more than the 10 mile commute.  If it doesn’t give you at least a smile when you ride the tracer then maybe it isn’t the best one for you.  Good luck.

Oh, the Tracer absolutely checks a lot of boxes for me and the smiles are there. Just feeling a little more spartan these days for some reason. Can't put a finger on it. 

[Garz747]

I had the opposite problem coming from a single cylinder Honda although I had a Yamaha RD350LC in the eighties and was coming back to biking.  I wanted something with some power, character, comfort, wind protection and reliability.   If the Tracer 700 was available here i may have considered it.  However after watching every You tube video and reading every review on the 900 I pulled the trigger after a long winter.  Initially I was a little overwhelmed with the throttle response and the height and weight. Did I want that Honda back??  Well  after a few hundred kms I would say a resounding NO! The weight disappears once underway. The twin cylinder engines do not burble and gurgle like this thing or moan wildly at full throttle. Im not sure what you think a smaller engined bike will do for you but best of luck...

 

[Rick123]

Seems to me V Strom 650 might be the right bike for you.

[BBB]

The Tracer has always felt like a light bike to me: quick steering, low mass, part hooligan.

Try taking off the windshield, hand guards, luggage racks etc and I think you’ll feel different about the Tracer. I’m always surprised how different the bike feels with the very short screen I use in summer. The temptation is to add weight/screens/satnavs/engine guards/panniers/coffee holders and use the bike for long mileage rides, but the Tracer is equally good at being stripped down and flung around.

My perspective may be skewed as my riding buddies are all into BMWs, Triumph Tigers, FJRs etc, so mine is definitely the lightweight amongst those, but worth trying the above before you decide to sell.

[johnmark101]

I am surprised that your relationship with the Ninja 1000 lasted only for a year.  I have a 2013 Ninja 1000 as well as my 2019 Tracer GT.  The Ninja is a great all around road bike and to me feels better put together than the Tracer.  However the Tracer is the better long distance companion with much roomier ergonomics and the lovely character of the triple engine.

I keep the Ninja atound for days when I want to rip the local twisties with a bit more aggression.

[fjray]

6 minutes ago, johnmark101 said:

I am surprised that your relationship with the Ninja 1000 lasted only for a year.  I have a 2013 Ninja 1000 as well as my 2019 Tracer GT.  The Ninja is a great all around road bike and to me feels better put together than the Tracer.  However the Tracer is the better long distance companion with much roomier ergonomics and the lovely character of the triple engine.

I keep the Ninja atound for days when I want to rip the local twisties with a bit more aggression.

I'm surprised that the Tracer is roomier than the Ninja. Two bikes is about a must I've concluded.

[petshark]

If you're 6'3" I think that many of the options listed might be too small. I initially bought the Tracer 900 because the Tracer 700 was really cramped and my knees wouldn't fit under the ridge of the gas tank.

I suggest you also look at the Versys 650. I still love that kawasaki parallel twin and while I enjoy the hooligan character of the Tracer very much I can see myself going back to the Versys at some point.

It is roomier and feels bigger than the tracer. The stock seat is also not great but it's riding position was more comfortable (to my 6'). I never found the engine to lack power, it's really fun, versatile and more playful than it's greatest rival, the Vstrom.

And I also owned a Er6n with the same engine for 8 years and it was bulletproof. Never had any issue at all. With the Tracer I'm constantly chasing issues but that is another story. Highly recommended.

According to Zach here, it's one of the best bikes out there for the money, better than the Tracer (although he adds that the CP3 engine is perhaps the best engine out there):

FWIW I sold my Versys to someone who is 6'3" 😎

Edited May 8, 2021 by petshark

[maximo]

@frosky I'm in a similar position as you. I really like my FJ a lot, but I haven't fallen in love with it like I have with other bikes. Over the years I've modded, tweaked, and farkled it, and while every bit I've done has improved it, that je ne sais quoi is still missing.  You refer to your SV as your starter bike. I loved the look of the SV when it first came out, so I got a Gen 1 naked, and it's still in my garage. After all these years it still gives me a thrill, and I am still very much in love with it. I'd love to get to where I love my FJ as much, because it is objectively a better bike, more capable, and much more versatile. 

[Xstoff]

Maybe it's just not the right bike for you! I'm 6'4, and something that is not in the same style like the tracer feel... small...

Is it really the sporty/touringy/ADV like style you don't like? If not, try something like a Tiger800/900, F800/850 GS?

I come from a 2010 Kawasaki Z750, the bike I got my license for! I loved that bike, but riding it for more than 1.5 hours was a real pain...

I got an opportunity to try a Z900, but just looking at how small it was compared to my FJ refrained me to do so!

I'm not trying to convince you to not move, but try different bikes before making the move!

Maybe rent a few for a day or two so you can really feel if you would like to make the change!