New Tracer GT

gv550

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Thanks! I have 8k on the Tracer now and it is a lot of fun. I haven't weighed it but the specs say it is 474 lbs full of oil and fuel, and the included panniers and mounts add another 20 lbs. No worries, the GT sure feels a lot lighter than the Tenere and with 20 more hp and quick-shifter it gets me into deep trouble in half the distance!
I try to alternate between the 2 bikes and I love them equally, but I quietly imagine the best features of both combined into one bike.
 

SHUMBA

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Pleased to hear you are enjoying your Tracer GT
Let me know how it behaves in high winds. Is the engine buzzy, it sure was on my Honda Cb650f.
SHUMBA
 

twinrider

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Thanks! I have 8k on the Tracer now and it is a lot of fun. I haven't weighed it but the specs say it is 474 lbs full of oil and fuel, and the included panniers and mounts add another 20 lbs. No worries, the GT sure feels a lot lighter than the Tenere and with 20 more hp and quick-shifter it gets me into deep trouble in half the distance!
I try to alternate between the 2 bikes and I love them equally, but I quietly imagine the best features of both combined into one bike.
3 more hp (and less torque). No doubt it must feel more lively given the 50 kg lighter weight.
 

SHUMBA

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Yup, It's all about the torque It's all about the torque.
To make higher power on the Tracer you need to "wring its neck". Not so with larger displacement engines. I believe the Ten's red line is just shy of 8G and the Tracer is somewhere around 11G. If you cruise your Tracer at 75-80 MPH (say 125-130 KPH) is it "buzzy"??
My Honda CB650F was very fast, but at speeds over 100 KPH, it sure let you know.
Having said this, the S-10 is easily 50 KG, 100 lbs heavier than the Tracer.
I'm gonna guess, the Tracer could likely blow the pants off the Tenere from zero to 60 (100).
SHUMBA
 

twinrider

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Yup, It's all about the torque It's all about the torque.
To make higher power on the Tracer you need to "wring its neck". Not so with larger displacement engines. I believe the Ten's red line is just shy of 8G and the Tracer is somewhere around 11G. If you cruise your Tracer at 75-80 MPH (say 125-130 KPH) is it "buzzy"??
My Honda CB650F was very fast, but at speeds over 100 KPH, it sure let you know.
Having said this, the S-10 is easily 50 KG, 100 lbs heavier than the Tracer.
I'm gonna guess, the Tracer could likely blow the pants off the Tenere from zero to 60 (100).
SHUMBA
The Tracer is very quick and puts out a lot of torque down low even though it's only a 900. I passed on it because the footpegs are higher and further back than I like, but I still would've gotten one if a rare (not many in Japan) used Gen II Tenere hadn't popped up on auction near me at that time.
 

gv550

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I haven't searched for dyno results, but I've read the Tenere puts out about 95 hp and the Tracer about 115 hp. The extra power and less weight and quick-shifter results in a significant performance difference. No contest, the Tracer will smoke the Tenere accelerating and top speed, but the Tenere was never meant to win races. Both engines vibrate a bit, the 1200 twin is more of a low-frequency shake and the 847 triple has much higher frequency buzz, both vary with RPM and neither engine is objectionable at the speeds I run them. At 130 kph both bikes are quite smooth and comfortable. I do have Grab-on foam grip covers on both bikes to increase the diameter for my 3XL hands and they do reduce the vibes too.
The TFT instrument panel is interesting, the entire tach bar graph is black up to 5000 rpm then turns green up 10,000, amber to 11,500 then red, and the white shift light comes on at 8000. All this is user selectable and within my peripheral vision, so when hot rodding I just keep the tach green (happy zone) and nudge the shifter when the light comes on. Clutchless, full throttle shifting and I'm at 180 at the end of an on-ramp! (private road, of course!) Also, no buttons on the dash, all functions including Reset and TCS are on the handlebar.
 

SHUMBA

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Great review on the Tracer GT 900, an 847 cc triple banger.
Agree it is a fast ride, but not a race bike.
Now for the HP...I think your HP number for the Tenere is low as it is approx 110 HP.
TENERE = Shaft drive = some power loss
TRACER = Chain drive = less power loss
Combined with a lesser weight of 50 KG (100 lbs)
Now, last, but not least is the torque...THE most important number or factor in the equation.
I'll leave the rest to you, the Tenere has far more torque than has the Tracer.
With Turbocharged engines this relationship all changes.
SHUMBA
 

twinrider

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I haven't searched for dyno results, but I've read the Tenere puts out about 95 hp and the Tracer about 115 hp. The extra power and less weight and quick-shifter results in a significant performance difference. No contest, the Tracer will smoke the Tenere accelerating and top speed, but the Tenere was never meant to win races. Both engines vibrate a bit, the 1200 twin is more of a low-frequency shake and the 847 triple has much higher frequency buzz, both vary with RPM and neither engine is objectionable at the speeds I run them. At 130 kph both bikes are quite smooth and comfortable. I do have Grab-on foam grip covers on both bikes to increase the diameter for my 3XL hands and they do reduce the vibes too.
The TFT instrument panel is interesting, the entire tach bar graph is black up to 5000 rpm then turns green up 10,000, amber to 11,500 then red, and the white shift light comes on at 8000. All this is user selectable and within my peripheral vision, so when hot rodding I just keep the tach green (happy zone) and nudge the shifter when the light comes on. Clutchless, full throttle shifting and I'm at 180 at the end of an on-ramp! (private road, of course!) Also, no buttons on the dash, all functions including Reset and TCS are on the handlebar.
If you haven't flashed your Tenere you're really missing out on the engine's true potential. It really wakes up the beast.

From dyno runs I've seen, a stock Gen II Tenere puts out around 99hp. Given that a Tracer's crank HP output is 115, I guessed around 105.

Turns out that's about it. https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/paradox-2019-yamaha-tracer-900-gt#page-3
 

SHUMBA

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For the first year I won't do any mods because it would, no doubt void the bike's warranty. I'm not planning to do any off roading, so I'm certain the stock performance will satisfy my needs. I appreciate your input and its good to know an increase in performance is available. Besides, up here in communist Kannada, if the police catch you riding 50 kilometers in excess of the speed limit they hold trial on the roadside and take your bike and your license away for seven days.
Sadly, we are turning into a police state.
The Tracer I'm sure would be a great choice depending on what one wants to do.
SHUMBA
 

twinrider

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For the first year I won't do any mods because it would, no doubt void the bike's warranty. I'm not planning to do any off roading, so I'm certain the stock performance will satisfy my needs. I appreciate your input and its good to know an increase in performance is available. Besides, up here in communist Kannada, if the police catch you riding 50 kilometers in excess of the speed limit they hold trial on the roadside and take your bike and your license away for seven days.
Sadly, we are turning into a police state.
The Tracer I'm sure would be a great choice depending on what one wants to do.
SHUMBA
It's not a matter of making the bike faster in terms of outright speed. It just becomes much smoother and responsive because the flash removes Yamaha's restrictions, optimizes the fueling, reduces the off-throttle engine braking, and makes the throttle ratio 1:1 (with the right flash).

No one at Yamaha would ever know you flashed the ECU unless they took the trouble to plug it into a computer and compare the fueling to a stock ECU, chances of which are .0000XXX. These bikes are bulletproof so you will highly likely never be getting the engine repaired under warranty anyhow.
 

SHUMBA

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Interesting as I'm thinking of selling my FJR and SV650 to consolidate to one bike - the Tenere or GT! Great to have both!
I traded my 2018 Honda CB650F along with my 2016 Africa Twin on a new 2018 Tenere ES. Delivery in late April or whenever the weather breaks.
Insurance, licence, maintenance etc. on two bikes agh..toooo much, pick one, ride one...
SHUMBA
 

twinrider

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I traded my 2018 Honda CB650F along with my 2016 Africa Twin on a new 2018 Tenere ES. Delivery in late April or whenever the weather breaks.
Insurance, licence, maintenance etc. on two bikes agh..toooo much, pick one, ride one...
SHUMBA
I also moved from a 2016 AT to an S10 due to too many problems with the Honda (DCT breakdown and intermittent stalling to name the worst). What prompted you?
 

SHUMBA

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I also moved from a 2016 AT to an S10 due to too many problems with the Honda (DCT breakdown and intermittent stalling to name the worst). What prompted you?
Hmmmm, sorry to hear that about your AT. Hondas are generally bullet proof. My 2016 was a manual shifter and I never had any issues with my bike. I never got to ride the DCT model.
Why did I move to the Tenere from the AT...
1. Because I can $$
2. Shaft
3. Additional comfort and stability at highway speeds.
(The AT is a tall, top heavy bike and on those spring/fall days when the winds are high it "sails in the wind", meaning at highway speeds +, it becomes somewhat of a challenge to stay in your lane, solution: SLOW DOWN!!
4. I don't do off-road
5. I'm getting older 69 this year, how many years of riding are ahead of me?
6. Just looking forward to a new ride...soon I hope as I have yet to ride my new S-Ten.
SHUMBA







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SHUMBA

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It's not a matter of making the bike faster in terms of outright speed. It just becomes much smoother and responsive because the flash removes Yamaha's restrictions, optimizes the fueling, reduces the off-throttle engine braking, and makes the throttle ratio 1:1 (with the right flash).

No one at Yamaha would ever know you flashed the ECU unless they took the trouble to plug it into a computer and compare the fueling to a stock ECU, chances of which are .0000XXX. These bikes are bulletproof so you will highly likely never be getting the engine repaired under warranty anyhow.
Ok, now I'm beginning to understand what "flash" means.
You see, in my day it was something I did to entertain my girlfriends..
I'll ride her (the bike) and decide if a mod to the throttle is needed. I have read where the S-10 is a little "jerky" in the sport mode, or whatever they call it.
SHUMBA


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Mak10

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So what I am wondering is if a flash will help lift the front wheel at all off road? That is one aspect I would like to change. Part of it is due to the stock tires. Coming off a KTM 525 that you could pick up the front wheel at will, to help over an obstacle. Does eliminating the restrictions in the first three gears help at all? I don’t feel engine braking or “snatchiness” is a problem for me.
 

SHUMBA

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Interesting read earlier pertaining to Yamaha warranty coverage in a country other than the country of purchase.
I am Canadian and live in Canada and also bought my bike here as well. I'm planning some rides this coming season into the U.S. I'll be in touch touch with Yamaha and see what they have to say about warranty coverage or protection outside of Canada. Has anyone had the misfortune of a break down in Canada or the U.S.?
SHUMBA

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Nikolajsen

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I know it is the wrong side of the water:)
But my bike bought in Denmark, can get a warranty repair in whole Europe.
 

twinrider

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Ok, now I'm beginning to understand what "flash" means.
You see, in my day it was something I did to entertain my girlfriends..
I'll ride her (the bike) and decide if a mod to the throttle is needed. I have read where the S-10 is a little "jerky" in the sport mode, or whatever they call it.
SHUMBA


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So what I am wondering is if a flash will help lift the front wheel at all off road? That is one aspect I would like to change. Part of it is due to the stock tires. Coming off a KTM 525 that you could pick up the front wheel at will, to help over an obstacle. Does eliminating the restrictions in the first three gears help at all? I don’t feel engine braking or “snatchiness” is a problem for me.
I owned my first S10 for about a year before I flashed it. I had thought it was fine too. The flash is the kind of thing that you don't really appreciate how much better it makes the bike till you do it or have a chance to ride a flashed bike backt to back with yours. It gets rid of the big stumble off of idle, the heavy engine braking when the throttle is chopped, the restrictions and the EPA fueling.

As far as wheelying, it definitely would help as it makes the throttle response 1:1 and gets rid of that stumble I mentioned as well as the restrictions.
 
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