Yamaha Tracer 9 GT 2021
Yamaha transformed its bubbly MT-09 nakedbike into a practical middleweight touring machine five years ago with the arrival of the Tracer 900. A great blend of fun, value, practicality and comfort made the Tracer 900 a standout winner, but for 2021 Yamaha decided to make it a more premium model with a host of improvements.
Overseas markets will receive two models, the Tracer 9 and Tracer 9 GT. Here in Australia, the YMA has chosen to only offer the Tracer 9 GT, which is expected to hit European streets in April 2021.
The GT comes with hard cases and a factory floating rack system, KYB semi-active electronic suspension driven by a new, more powerful IMU that calculates suspension response from six-axis data, and all range of electronic safety aids. Cruise control and heated grips round out what is a pretty comprehensive package.
Originally developed for the R1 and never before available in the Yamaha Sport Touring category, Yamaha’s 6-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) continuously measures acceleration in front-to-rear directions; up-down and left-right – as well as the angular velocity in the pitch, roll and yaw directions of the machine.
Since its introduction on the R1 in 2015, this six-axis IMU has been refined, and the unit featured on the new Tracer 9 GT is now 50% smaller and 40% lighter. This high-tech IMU device continuously sends data to the ECU which calculates it in real time, and effectively governs the Traction Control System (TCS) as well as its Slip Control System (SCS), the system of control of the front wheel LIFt (LIF) and the brake control system (BC).
To make the entire system easy to understand and simple to use, three adjustment modes are available to the Tracer 9 GT rider. In Mode 1, TCS, SCS and LIF are all preset to Level 1, which is the lowest intervention level designed to enable sporty and aggressive driving. When Mode 2 is selected, TCS, SCS and LIF are all preset to Level 2, which is a moderate intervention suitable for a wide variety of different conditions. Finally, Mode 3 is the manual setting option which allows the driver to select any combination of the 3 TCS settings, the 3 SCS and off settings, and the 3 LIF and off settings, giving a potential of 48 different combinations.
The Tracer 9 GT is also equipped with a dual-mode brake control (BC) system that provides increased chassis stability during emergency braking. Data from the IMU is constantly analyzed, and when the rider applies excessive pressure to the front or rear brake lever, the pressure is automatically modulated by the BC system.
The user can choose one of two modes: BC1 is the standard mode ABS-active which prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking in a straight line situation. When set to BC2, the system provides an even higher level of intervention by controlling brake pressure when the IMU detects that the chassis is at risk of destabilizing in situations such as sudden braking mid-corner .
The new Kayaba suspension system is called the KYB Active Damper System, or KADS for short. Two modes will be available, one set for a sporty response and the other for a comfortable excursion. The normal range of riding modes found on most modern Yamaha models are also available on the Tracer 9 GT.
Quick, bi-directional shifting will help the rider keep the 890cc engine (instead of 847cc) revving. The increase of 43 cm3 is achieved thanks to a 3 mm larger bore which increases torque by 7%. Torque peaks at 1500 rpm, with 93 Nm at 7000 rpm. It also puts four more ponies to the ground than its predecessor with 118 horsepower at 10,000 rpm.
Yamaha claims to have gotten the best of both worlds with fuel economy also improved by nine percent, extending the range from the 18-liter tank to more than 350 kilometers. This is good news, because when riding it, the previous model certainly liked to take a sip and could be drained in less than 250 km.
The Tracer 9 GT features slightly higher 1st and 2nd gear ratios that match the new engine’s higher torque output at low revs, and for smoother shifts, the shift fork has been redesigned . Changes have also been made to the slipper clutch, including the use of new material for the friction plates and a revised cam angle to achieve a lighter pull on the lever and smoother gear changes.
Yamaha promises that the new model is also a few kilos lighter, more compact and more manageable. The new 890cc CP3 engine is now mounted at a more upright angle of 52.3 degrees, compared to 47.5 degrees on the previous model. These changes are said to improve the overall balance of the CF’s lightweight die-cast chassis to give better feedback and better front-end grip.
A completely redesigned lightweight aluminum swingarm pivots inside the frame’s outer structure, unlike the outboard pivot points of the previous model. Although its exterior appearance is similar to the 2021 MT-09 model, the Tracer 9’s swingarm is actually 60mm longer, resulting in a wheelbase of 1,500mm – the same as the previous Tracer 900.
The 10-spoke SpinForged wheels and large-diameter axles are 700 grams lighter than before, and Yamaha says this significant reduction in unsprung weight contributes positively to the bike’s agile handling, light steering and the responsiveness of the suspension.
The Tracer 9 GT is the very first Yamaha Sport Touring to be equipped with a front brake with an R1 type radial master cylinder. Manufactured by Nissin, this high-tech supersport class braking system features a piston that moves parallel to the travel of the brake lever, giving a more linear braking feel thanks to the 298mm rotors.
To maximize its versatility and travel capabilities, the new model is designed from the ground up to accommodate a total of three hardside cases, allowing the Tracer 9 to work with any combination of side cases and a top case . The side cases feature a “Floating Stay” system to improve high-speed stability and isolate the movement of luggage on the bike, and a one-piece wraparound grab bar makes it easy to install a top box. Thanks to its reduced weight and increased strength, the all-new chassis can support a total payload of 193 kg, an increase of 7% in load capacity.
I really like the look of the all-new 3.5-inch multifunction TFT displays. It’s an interesting new take that I suppose takes us back to the days when we had two clocks, one for speed and one for RPM, but we don’t have two TFT screens that offer a myriad of information .
Key operating information is displayed on the left screen, including a multi-color bar tachometer that changes color as RPM increases, as well as a digital speedometer, fuel gauge, gear position and a TCS mode indicator. The left screen can be switched to TCS mode and settings display, allowing the driver to select the desired intervention mode for the electronic driving aids. The right-hand screen is divided into four separate sections, each displaying a range of information such as the odometer, counters 1 and 2, temperature, etc.
The headlights are almost hidden behind covers, which gives an interesting new look next to the LED lighting. The Tracer 9 GT even offers cornering functionality thanks to the brightness of additional LED side lighting, which increases with the lean angle.
The new driver’s seat is mounted 15mm lower than the previous model, and features a simple two-position, tool-free height adjustment. Further ergonomic changes can be made by adjusting the footpegs 15mm up or down, and the handlebar position can also be moved forward 9mm and up 4mm by reversing the direction of the handlebar clamps, giving a total of 8 different riding positions.
This very comprehensive and exciting new prospect is coming to 2021 and if Yamaha manages to keep the model affordable, the Tracer 9 GT could well be one of the most popular motorcycles of the new year. I can’t wait to set foot there.
