New Tracer GT

gv550

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2016
Messages
1,334
Location
Listowel, Ontario, Canada
After 9.5 years and 679,465 kms, I have traded my trusty 898 lb Kawasaki Voyager V-twin for the new 495 lb Tracer GT. Black with blue wheels, with touring windshield and 50 litre top case coming. The new bike is built but enroute from Japan so I won't have it for several weeks yet. I'm looking forward to the drastic weight loss and significant performance and technology upgrade.
I've had a Kawasaki or two in my garage for 16 years, so it feels weird to be without one now.
S10 will remain as my adventure and long haul tourer, GT will be my little hot rod and weekend solo ride.
 

ace50

Active Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
640
Location
VA
Yes I really like the new Tracer. Engine , features, style.
If I didn't take such a hit with trading the S10 in, I'd have one!
 

gv550

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2016
Messages
1,334
Location
Listowel, Ontario, Canada
I took a big hit by trading my Voyager too, but then it was old and slightly worn. Most dealers wouldn't give me anything for it after looking at the odometer. Oh well, bikes are meant for riding and that I did!
 

Edbo1960

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
98
Location
Connecticut
After 9.5 years and 679,465 kms, I have traded my trusty 898 lb Kawasaki Voyager V-twin for the new 495 lb Tracer GT. Black with blue wheels, with touring windshield and 50 litre top case coming. The new bike is built but enroute from Japan so I won't have it for several weeks yet. I'm looking forward to the drastic weight loss and significant performance and technology upgrade.
I've had a Kawasaki or two in my garage for 16 years, so it feels weird to be without one now.
S10 will remain as my adventure and long haul tourer, GT will be my little hot rod and weekend solo ride.
 

MCGMB

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2016
Messages
80
Location
Chicago
I took a big hit by trading my Voyager too, but then it was old and slightly worn. Most dealers wouldn't give me anything for it after looking at the odometer. Oh well, bikes are meant for riding and that I did!
I'd be glad to be given anything for a bike with those KMs, so I'd say you did well. I loved the motor on the FJ-09 I test ride, and the new Tracer has been nicely updated.
 

AdvToorer

Active Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2012
Messages
108
Location
Denver, CO - USA
Would like to try a seat on one, but none available at the two dealerships I've tried in Denver. Both shops had one or two previously but sold and no replacements as yet.
They did have a '17 FJ09 for $7995!
 

greg the pole

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Messages
3,343
Location
Calgary AB
After 9.5 years and 679,465 kms, I have traded my trusty 898 lb Kawasaki Voyager V-twin for the new 495 lb Tracer GT. Black with blue wheels, with touring windshield and 50 litre top case coming. The new bike is built but enroute from Japan so I won't have it for several weeks yet. I'm looking forward to the drastic weight loss and significant performance and technology upgrade.
I've had a Kawasaki or two in my garage for 16 years, so it feels weird to be without one now.
S10 will remain as my adventure and long haul tourer, GT will be my little hot rod and weekend solo ride.
I think you'll love the bike. I liked my 2015 FJ. Need suspension work, but the motor, ergo's and overall look of the bike was awesome. The new tracer has better forks, and a slightly better shock.
Enjoy.
https://thetenerist.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/four-day-blast-on-the-fj09/
 

ace50

Active Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
640
Location
VA
I just looked at a Tracer, looks great, but this dealer will not let you sit on their bikes.
Ran into another motorcyclist who sat on one and said the pegs are back like on a sport bike.
Deal breaker for him................................and possibly me!
 

greg the pole

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Messages
3,343
Location
Calgary AB
Would like to try a seat on one, but none available at the two dealerships I've tried in Denver. Both shops had one or two previously but sold and no replacements as yet.
They did have a '17 FJ09 for $7995!
Size wise the FJ09 is identical to the MT09 Tracer. The swing arm is 2 inches longer though..otherwise identical. Pegs are directly below the seat...and not far back.. it's no sport bike. It's a naked with a fairing
 

XTZELEE

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2015
Messages
66
Location
Dublin, Ireland
I have a Tracer GT, an S10 and an FJR. The GT has a longer seat as a result of the longer swing arm and longer subframe. The passenger pegs are lower too. I put 2 full size adults on it and there was plenty of space between the pillion and the rider. The 50l top box is slightly curved on the front adding fractionally further pillion space and wriggle room. The naked is a shorter bike. I reckon it has as much passenger space as the S10 or the FJR.

The triple pulls strongly in any gear from around 2800 rpm and the GT has all the technology you could need.
 
Last edited:

Edbo1960

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
98
Location
Connecticut
Hey "X", you in a great situation for me, I'm thinking selling my 2008 FJR for either the Tracer 900 GT or the S10ES, want to get away from the weight of the FJR but need cruise and prefer the shaft. But love the idea of the GT lower weight. Doing a demo ride in a few weeks that should hopefully sort it out.

Any other comments about my situation? I'm 6'4" at 220....thanks, Edbo
 

XTZELEE

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2015
Messages
66
Location
Dublin, Ireland
I am 6 ft and around 200lbs. I have the seat at the lower position so the higher position might suit your height. I got the GT because it is so much lighter than the FJR or S10. It is great fun to ride fast with the quickshifter and handles really well. With the torque low down it powers out of corners. I too would prefer shaft drive. I would compare it as a Golf GTI versus an S class Mercedes against the FJR. The FJR is plusher on the road because of the weight whereas the GT transmits more road vibes through the handlebars. It has more power than the S10 and the triple engine is refined and not agricultural like the 1200 twin.

The GT is in great demand here with long waiting lists. Be sure to get a decent test ride, but anyone who has ridden one loves them. I am told they are going to phase out the FJR due to emissions and concentrate on the 700 twin and 900 triple as the future platform.
 

Edbo1960

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
98
Location
Connecticut
Thanks "X", looking forward to the demo day here in Atlanta, hopefully get enough seat time to figure it all out - best of luck to you, Edbo
 

XTZELEE

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2015
Messages
66
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Just out of curiousity, I measured the length of the seats from front edge to back edge (straight line with a tape).
The 2018 GT is 28.5 inches, the 2016 S10 is 27.5 inches, the 2008 FJR is 26 inches and the 2017 XMax 300 scooter is actually 33 inches.
There is obviously more to this than just a simple measurement, but it confirms the room available when I put two people on the bike.
 

twinrider

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2011
Messages
1,882
Location
Yokohama
I just looked at a Tracer, looks great, but this dealer will not let you sit on their bikes.
Ran into another motorcyclist who sat on one and said the pegs are back like on a sport bike.
Deal breaker for him................................and possibly me!
I wouldn't say they're like a sport bike but they're quite a bit further back than the S10's, resulting in more knee bend. I have bad knees and that was a major reason why I didn't get one.

How does that dealer stay in business, not even letting prospective buyers sit on the bikes?
 

cycledelic relic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2015
Messages
724
Location
Central Texas
Not a Tracer I kno...but..

I sat on both an FZ-07 & an FZ-09 at the Progressive Bike Show a few years back.
What I noticed right off was that the 07s pegs were further forward in relation to the seating position than those on the 09.
My friend bought an FJ-09 soon after & riding his bike..the peg position seemed similar to the FZ-09 with justa bit more legroom..prob due ta seat height.
I havent tried the XSR version of either bike but they are sposta have more seat height than the FZ/MT
Could be that Yamaha was planning on the 700 Tenere version all along with those more fwd pegs ?
They could sure bring the Tracer 700 over here...but it wouldnt have cruise


Sent from my LGL62VL using Tapatalk
 

gv550

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2016
Messages
1,334
Location
Listowel, Ontario, Canada
Finally! After waiting 2 and a half months my new Tracer GT is here and running me around for two days, poor S10 is looking sad and neglected.

Highlights of the GT.....
Wonderful engine, 115 hp but haven't tried all of it yet
100 lbs lighter than S10
Speedometer switches from kms to miles (unlike my S10)
TCS stays in either 1 or 2 (but not off) after turning off ignition
Gear indicator works with clutch lever pulled (unlike my S10)
3 ride modes and noticeable differences
Windshield heights adjustable with one hand while riding
Cool colourful TFT meter
Fuel Consumed display
65 mpg so far, but taking it easy during break in
Quick-shifter is the BOMB

A few negatives..
Chain drive
No distance to empty display
Speedometer reads 5% high
Small foot pegs
Small panniers
Small fuel tank

Turning cold and white here in a few days so both bikes are loaded and heading to Arizona for 5 months, so I'll get plenty more GT and S10 riding time. And I'll post up some photos with cactus and tumbleweed as background. :)
 
Last edited:
Top