Am thinking of upgrading to the mt 09 tracer from my mt 07 thanks for a unbiased review think im off to my bike shop tomorrow to sort a test ride.. once again great vid .. Dave
Thanks for the great review. FYI the stock rear fender assembly lines up perfectly with the stock side boxes. I will be purchasing the bike in the spring with the stock boxes and heated grips. :)
great review again Mark, But yes you should try the MV Turismo Veloce 800 before you look at the smaller end bikes. The compare the three triple engines. I'm looking to replace my brutal Brutale with something like an 09. As always its good to watch a real world biker giving them a run and your thoughts afterwards. stay safe John.
I'm using one today as mine's in for a service. I like it but prefer a more sporty riding position. Also finding the throttling a bit snatchy. Overall a nice bike though. Feels like a push bike when manoeuvring around compared to my vtec. Totally agree about the dunlops - like riding on wooden wheels. Standard screen offers reasonable protection albeit high wind noise around the helmet.
I know this is already 3,5 years old video, but this made me want this bike 100%. I will sell my Kawa this summer, and the tracer is for sure the next one. Have not tested any yet, but the power on the 09 looks very good.
Hi Mark, nice review. I was in the market for a Triumph Tiger XRx as I'm done with sports bikes. If the Multistrada 950 had been out a few years ago I may have seriously looked at that. For me it boils down to budget plain and simple. Both Tiger Xrx and Ducati are outside my budget for a bike no more than two years old. You've convinced me. I just need to save the deposit over the next several months and away to go. Cheers mate.
Hi Mark thanks for the video. This is my very own bike. Had a difficult time trying to pick either this or the Tiger XRx but the Yamaha won based on looks and price. Looking forward to seeing more videos from you.
Hi Mark, Why did you try only the standard engine map? I had this bike for a good two months, and I must say if you change the engine map to "A", you get a much aggressive throttle respond, completely different, maybe it's the same horsepower, but the way you get it... You didn't mention the Honda vfr crossrunner. One friend of mine had one in the same time, so I could try both of them. The honda is a bit more expensive, but as soon as you see the two bikes standing each other, you will understand why. The Yamaha not bad at all, especially on this price, but the Honda is a bit better quality in every way, the plastics, the buttons feel cheap on the Yamaha, my girlfriend didn't like the passenger seat, and over a 100mph I didn't feel the yamaha safe. I have the Multistrada 1100S now, and it is so stable even at 120mph. Maybe just the suspension set ups. But up to 100mph I loved it, it's a bad boy, the 3 cylinder torque, and sound is just brilliant, you don't want anything else, just brake and accelerate. the Crossrunner is good as well it just have a smoother engine, not that explosive character. I guess it is because the tracer is coming from the MT09 a hooligan naked bike (I used this one as well for a few weeks, and this is even better than the Tracer), and the Crossrunner ancestors always been a sport touring bike. Sadly I never had a chance to ride on the Tiger. So if I had to choose between the Tracer and the Crossrunner, I would take the Honda, because both of them are great, but when they are standing next to each other, you are going look at the Honda first, and that is the one you want to take for a one day or a one week trip.
I got panniers top box 2 12volts Akrapovic heated grips Scottoiler and lowering kit and its the best one in the world AND ITS RED which is the far better colour
I prefer the low down torque, and comfy seat of the Triumph ....I have seen some very high mileage ones in first class running condition, which is also an influence on my choice ....
Thanks Mark another good review. Went to my local bikers café today, lovely being retired , to meet my mate who rides an MT07 which he just loves, and one of these was parked up outside. First time I have ever really looked at one and I was very impressed with the quality of it. If I ever trade in my 09 GS it could be for one of these. Love not having to look after a chain but given how cheap these are new it might be a price worth paying. Regards Ted
Nice review Mark, (I also enjoyed your take on the BMW R1200ST), another bike I'm considering, but used, so the last rendering before this newer, more powerful & refined version. I appreciate you're attention to the details, as they can add up over the long haul. Everyone seems to love this engine, (sounds like the Triumph is as good too). The power to weight is really good, allowing power wheelies in lower gears, if one grads a handful, if one disengages ETC. I'm glad you mention ride height & reach, as there are smaller guys out there like us, and I had heard this bike sits a bit high. Imagine how much fun this would be with that "clutch less system on the bmw, (but then again, those drive the price up). As much as I think I'd enjoy the nice boxer motor for it's practicality & user-friendly nature, this motor & linear power, (combined with Yamaha's dependability, like BMW's), and the much less cost, I'm leaning towards a used FJ (MT) 09. BTW, where do you guys mount your mic to get good sound w/ little wind noise? Thanks for the helpful reviews, jerry
Hi jerry thanks for the comment ..its just a cheap lapel mic from ebay ,it clips in the front of my helmet to the boom mic of my intercom ,ive used it for a few years now with good results for just a few £s...all the best mark
Thanks Mark. Wanting to buy a FJ 09, but my budget is saying a VFR 800 (w/ mods hopefully), or possibly a r1200r, but used of course, Thanks again for the thorough review.
Thanks for the vid Mark. I am an ex Wimborne lad now living in Australia and it was great to see a few glimpses of our old stamping ground from when I rode bikes in England. Nice to here a viewpoint from someone who talks my language! I'm about to get back on bikes after many years away so I appreciate your time in sharing your experience. feel frre to check me out on FB
Yes Mark I have seen it, but I thought you were doing a comparison between the Honda the Yam and the Triumph? but you didn't mention the Honda in this comparison?
5'7 aint short. I'm maybe an inch taller and I can ride any bike save very high dual sports (KTM or Yamaha 250) or a GS1200 Adventure comfortably. No one needs to get their feet flat on a bike. That's just a security blanket that covers up unfamiliarity with bikes generally.
Seriously though, I rode my Multistrada 1200 from California to Colorado and back with loaded panniers and top box, and the seat on the high setting for better riding ergos. It was fine. You only have to put a foot down when you stop...plan where that's going to be before you get there, no problems.
Theres a Yamaha dealer near my house and they dropped the price of the 2016 Yamaha FJ09 that you call the MT09 Tracer by $1495 American dollars and they are providing new tires for the lifetime of the motorcycle for free..It really is a excellent motorcycle.Though the FZ09 sells better and we will have to see how the new XSR900 sells.
Hey My17A, do you mind letting me know what deal you got? I am in Ottawa and negotiating a 2016 but they aren't very accommodating... If you don't mind you can give me a frame of reference. Tks
My17A cool that k you for the info. Did you get any accessories for that price or was it just the bike? Did they apply the Yamaha $500 accessory credit and $300 Costco deal?
No accessories or Yamaha / Costco credits. He did give me 10% off stuff at his dealership. I thought it was sucjh a fantastik deal on the bike I didn't ask any questions. Even a 2017 FJ at full price is a good deal.
JUst love your vidios keep them coming. Just to pull you up on one thing, you said the cc of the Tracer is 851cc when it is 847cc : just a small point as to what is a lovely video.
Awesome review :) You might want to edit the videos ever so slightly so it dont reveal your speed.. known a few youtubers been done for speeding cos of their own vids :( I want either an 07 or an 09 so so badly!
The screen looks a bit naff, the only negative and why I didn't go for this bike was the insurance costs. For some reason it's quite expensive to insure compared to other bikes in higher insurance groups. The standard MT09 is worse. Great review.
You're driving in the left lane, so you're from "over there". I'm here, in MPH land. You mentioned something about mph. Was that particular mt09 configured as mph or kph as I'd expect?
good video Mark,,,horizon abit low presumed you were putting ur head down ,,,have paid for and awaiting delivery of a go pro hero4 silver and trying to use movie maker following your advice ,,much appreciated cheers for the video good stuff shane
Nice video and I like, that you've compared with the Tiger. My choice was between these two. I ended up with the Tiger Xrx. I felt the same way about the smoothness of the engine. (And the Yamaha dealer I visited I Denmark, was lazy and arrogant). Anyway, thanks for the vids. Peter from Denmark.
Hi Mark. Thanks for another excellent review ride. One question. Does the Yamaha have cruise control? You mentioned that the Triumph XRx has it and I know the S1000XR has a fantastic cruise control (although it's almost twice the money!).
am I wrong to say you didn't try the A mode? because there is a big difference in response in A mode. I personally never use it but there is a big difference even from std to A
Hi Mark. Good review, thanks. I know you said you would probably go for the Tiger out of these 2, but where do you position the Honda Crossrunner in this category of bike?
MP, Now that this bike is older in 2022 would you still buy a nice 2nd hand model with low miles if you found one priced decently? Or would you consider something alittle newer?
Hi I have a tracer 9 gt myself !:) So that kind of answers the question...but yes definitely the first model from 2015 is stil a great bike and good value it's just that the latest model is much improved in every aspect ,;) Best regards mark
stabes70 hi I wouldn't say a better all rounder it's the same just more powerful than the Vstrom ..I owned a Vstrom 650 and they are brilliant and cheap
Hi john ,the tracer is cheaper but i prefer the power delivery on the tiger ,its got more low down ,tiger has cruise control and a comfier seat,and as you say it comes in the low version but the tracer is quite tall,...test rides here we come ! :)
These are very good reviews Mark, thank you. Just out of interest, is there a screen available on these bikes that doesn't buffet our helmets? Even my Sprint SE screen produces a buffet "zone", at motorway speeds, that hits me right on the visor! I am 5'10, and have to crouch below the buffet area! It looks like no manufacturer has solved the problem. I am thinking a naked bike is less problematic?
Hi david thanks ..no I dont really think ive ever found a screen that doesn't buffet to some degree ..yes I agree a naked bike might help youll just get it in the chest then :) ps I had an fjr 1300 once and with the screen right up you had no wind blast at all
+mark pulling I suppose it depends where you want to ride. It just amazes me that on our new mid range sport tour bikes, no one can design a screen that has good aerodynamics at speed. Look at how the XRX standard screen "wobbles" at anything over 50? The fact that the wind buffet always hits the helmet on or just above the visor is just bad design. Or perhaps a ploy to squeeze extra £ out of us, by offering the "taller" screen option, as we buy our new bike! "Optional Extra"? ;) Cheers, ride safe.
Hi I would like to find out if this bike good to ride in the city because I'm planing to buy this or suzuki gsr 750 i want to use it for work and to ride long distances for fun. Many thanks for any answer
I ride one of these through Kyoto Japan every day. It's a great city bike. Throw it in B-Mode and it takes all the edge off (while still being more than powerful enough). Outside of town, Standard Mode is a blast. I find A-Mode just too snatchy. I'm actually a faster, smoother, and more confident rider in B or Standard. Great value! Great bike!
Hi Mark how do you think this bike compares to the Honda Cross runner seeing as they are supposed to be in the same category. I know the Honda is a lot more expensive but is it worth the cost. I'm finding because I ride a Honda at the moment NC700X the Honda dealers are prepared to offer me a far superior trade in price for my bike compared to any other manufacturer so although the Yamaha is cheaper some of this is negated in the financial deal hence the question.
+BRICKWEAVE Hi ,the crossrunner is a superb bike too,yes its more expensive but not too much of an issue for you with the finance,it is a heavy bike which you notice off the sidestand but not noticable when riding,the engine is completely different to the other two ,it doesnt pull quite as hard low down as the triples but then takes off vtech style at 6k rpm...hard choice because they are all brilliant ...I think youll be demo riding alot of bikes to make your decision ...! ..all the best mark
Mark, i'm looking at picking up one of these in the states as an FJ-09, and the shield on bike in this video review is the only aftermarket one i've seen that interests me. Do you remember at all what brand it was? Thanks for any help.
+JBD319 hi jbd,sorry I cant remember,but try powerbronze ,puig or givi or even the yamaha one ,its got to be one of those here in the uk ,if I get a minute ill call the dealer for you today all the best mark.
If you put it in A mode it will blow the Triumph away and it will wheelie in first second and third unless you put traction control on.It really is a great machine and I would much rather have it than any triumph.The only other bike I would want would be the new Suzuki GSX-S1000F or a BMW but those are expensive.I like the Wide Tinted screen on your Tracer.I think I would get the red Tracer so I would be seen better.
+Johnny Nightrider Wow, I just testrode the GSX 1000F and O.M.F.G what a machine.... never had so much fun on any vehicle. Ofc this is the first time for me on a litre bike but oh man, when you hit the upper revs it just ROCKETS you foward. I think the tracer is a good mix of power and comfort
Hi fella. I recently passed my DAS and I did all my training and tests on the MT 07 and fancy getting one as my first big bike. But I want something that's going to last me a long time, I'm not going to be changing every couple of years or so, the bike I get I want for many years possibly 10yr. Do you think the 09 is too much a beast for a first big bike? Bearing in mind that what I get is going to be the one. Tcrs ✊
Hi ,yes it will be fine ,just take it steady for a while ,its powerful but not superbike powerful my first big bike at 18 years old was a vfr 750 with similar power in 1987 ! enjoy the rest of the summer all the best mark
At 11:00 mins into your review, not long past "Buga'd Motorcycles, take that left and then, about a hundred yards down the road. stop and look into the woods and see what you can see .
