Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Ride Review 

Doesn’t sound great!! I wonder how i would feel about riding this bike again now, after an extra ‚few‘ years experience! 😆

Thanks Ray. Great to hear that you like my style. Hoping to get a few more test rides done in the new year. But i guess by then you'll already have your Yamaha and be loving it! Enjoy! Cheers!

+vitaly deuterium Ah yes, Monsieur Marty. Brave man!

Cheers IR. i had a great time! Needed some cheering up after a disastrous chain and sprockets swap! Video coming soon! ;)

Thanks mate! Glad you enjoyed the video. I try to keep my reviews honest and to the point, so if you ended up liking the bike more then Yamaha must have done a great job!! Cheers!

Haha! I know, tell me about it! I’ve got two crazy knees and switched to ADV in that short 8 years! 😆

Cheers Phil, very happy to have helped mate. It's a great bike, no question. Keep strong, spring is coming!

I think that's the best way. All the specs in the world can't tell you how i feels when you jump on and ride.

Cheers Knighthawk! It really is a special ride. Have you done anything about the snatchy fueling? Or have you just adjusted the ECU between your ears to compensate!? ;)

+Andy Man Cam Lived with it since last march, 'kevmod' may have consideration but ECU between ears is set for flat so I'm afraid fueling at bottom end doesn't get much of a look in.

That's great to know. Cheers Joseph! Is it a commonly available map, or custom created for you by the garage? I'm sure many more folks would buy this bike if they knew they could do this (Including me, when my ship finally comes in!). I guess the screen thing is just the result of mass manufacture and cost saving. Can't be avoided sadly. I'm disappointed in myself that i didn't find the rear shock adjustment. But hey-ho. Only so much you can do in an hour, and the bike was so fun to ride i didn't want to waste time just looking at it! Cheers for watching buddy.

I had mine done by 2WheelDynoWorks, there are other shops but they are the main ones. Plus they spend time tuning on the dyno and have maps for different exhaust systems and will reflash for free if you decide to swap in a new one.

Cool. Cheers. Now at least anybody reading these comments can find out where to go! Nothing like a recommendation from a real human! :D

Yes I have the mt09 and my mate has the tracer and both have a jerky throttle but a map can sort it out , considering it myself gazworld🌍

Thanks James. Good to know I was close with at least some of the review! I’d have loved to spend a bit more time on the bike to get a better feel for it!

+xchalibur77 A very tough choice indeed! Though 2000 Eur difference between Versys and Tracer is not to be ignored! Plus it was also just as fun to ride! Sadly the real winner is my old Versys as that's all I can stretch to right now!! :D

Good to know that it is possible to get a smooth ride as standard. Cheers Demetrios.

Thanks! Welcome aboard! Really happy the reviews work for you. I'm hoping to do a lot more of those! 😆

Very nice. Congratulations and glad to hear you’ve found your machine! Cheers Paco!

Cheers! Glad it sounded about right to you. Fabulous bike. Have you gotten used to the snatchy throttle or found a way around it? That was the only thing that didn't seem quite right to me about the bike. Otherwise i blinking loved it and am now quite jealous of you and your toy! ;)

+Andy Man Cam I bought mine in August 2015 and was advised that it the throttle was a little smoother. "A" mode was still a little twitchy, but standard mode was much better. That 850 cc triple is a real torque monster. I find I have too exercise self control, because this bike just wants to go. Ride safe mate.

+vac0002 Exactly my thoughts with the one I tried. Great engine that just wanted to go! Enjoy her mate, but keep her shiny!

+neža maffi Thank you Neža! Sadly i didn't get one, but i definitely still feel the same! If the cash was there I'd buy one tomorrow!! 😊

+TheTypeRTheory I think you're the only one to mention it! You win!

It's a shame isn't it. Otherwise that machine is perfect! I'd much rather a properly engineered single fueling map than the obvious workaround of a 3-mode system! Keep enjoying it though mate. Maybe santa will get my letter and I'll have one too next year!

Yep its a real shame. Before this I was riding a Honda X11 which had superb fueling and very smooth. Maybe later there will be an ECU update or fix we can do to cure the slow speed A mode throttle response but until then I will ride the slow speed in B mode. Thanks mate, i hope so too, this bike is crazy fun.

That's the embarrassing part. Other companies have it dialed in since the beginning! I just wish they'd get these things right BEFORE they release the products! You don't pay €10,000 to be a Beta tester! Ride safe mate!

Fully agreed. I was a bit disappointed especially it being a brand new machine, but the rest of the ride and sound make up for throttle. I choose to look at it like its part of its character, ha ha. You ride safe too mate.

Thanks Pete. It's an awesome bike, you jammy beggar! I think uglier bikes are actually better!! :D

You say that the Tracer 900 is smoother and generally better than the Transalp!? Dammit I am buying the Tracer asap lol

@@innayan987 smoother? no, absoutley not. The gearbox is clunkier than the Honda, but faster and more efficient definitely. Am now on 33600 miles and still love the thing.

14l does seem a bit small for longer trips!

+SenseiEpu Hey! Thanks for dropping by! Being tall has always been more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to bikes! I've already had to let go of early dreams of having a Ducati Monster. Too blinkin' small! It's all such a subjective thing with bikes though isn't it? My favourite was the Yamaha but that by no means makes the V-Strom a bad bike. It's just the characteristics that I look for. I hope this came across in the review! But I would highly recommend giving the MT-09 a go. Just be ready for that AWFUL snatchy throttle!

Good choice!

Six days! You lucky bugger! I've thought about maybe doing the same in the spring. A full weekend roadtest. Have fun and thanks!

+fish and banana I know. I knew it then and i know it still! I just need the universe to wake up and present one to me!! :D

+Bogdan Velica Thanks very much Bogdan. The bike did most of the work!

+17405pop that i can fully understand! Wonderful bike!

+17405pop that i can fully understand! Wonderful bike!

Do you still have it? And how is it after 2+ years?

+kyndryd spyryt Thanks! You really should. I dont see any reason why you would regret it. Unless you DIDNT want to buy one!

It did cross my mind! That jerky throttle just doesn't seem to get fixed though. Plus I'm really anti-windscreen lately. Want to feel the wind through my teeth! 😜 Probably also be funny to pass sportsbikes on a hipster machine too!

AndyManCam I happen to own an MT09SP and in all honesty don’t find the throttle snatchy at all. I had tried an older MT from 2014 which had horrendous low speed jerkiness. I have as yet never tried a tracer but they’re supposed to be with the same electronics now. I do have two friends with a Tracer GT and they say that they’re as smooth as can be. Well, maybe you got a sick variant. Your Honda does feel more premium though, I did consider buying it as well. I was also considering the Triumph Street triple RS. Triple engines sound so good, that’s what swayed me to the MT and the fact it’s more comfy for the long hauls.

Cheers UR. I totally agree. Never been happier than since i got a naked bike. So that means this one is out for me. If anything from the Yamaha stable were to tempt me, i think by it would be an MT-09 sp.

Ah. That explains the empty spot then! I bet that Akro sounds awesome!

Oh yes it does

You are right about that bro if its something that I learned sience I bought my first bike is that they are all good bikes the most important thing its that they work well and you cherrish every moment when you are using them,that's my two cents about it,and auf course if you like bad enough another one you start saving ;-)

+nureczek44 Thanks!! Cheers for watching!

+Jam Wheel Thanks! I can imagine one of these sounds SERIOUSLY good with an Akro! The bars on my Versys were actually a smidge wider, so seemed svelte to me! It's all about perspective I suppose! :D

+Andy Man Cam I've got a recent sound test on my channel of the bike with some decent recording equipment. Check it out :-)

+Jam Wheel Will do. Cheers mate!

+Tolga Erkaya Thanks very much Tolga!

That is a toughie mate! Both amazing bikes. I found the Versys much smoother, but the Tracer is just a little bit more exciting. Horses for courses I suppose!

I guess a lot of your opinion is the direction you're coming from. I know the buzziness you mean, but after doing 2000 miles on the Versys this summer, that buzz was nothing to me! :D You're bang on about the fueling though. It's exactly the same as Drift with their Camera freezing. Which leads me to 1 conclusion. They CAN'T fix it. Don't know how. All of that said, loved the handling and if money were no object I'm sure a powercommander would smooth things out!

+Andy Man Cam Nope, it won't sort the poor low speed fuelling issue, or better said entirely solve the issue. Because even a PC can't alter the mapping in that culprit low revs. :( You would have to reflash the ECU for that first, with a after market reflash... See mt09.motorcycle-talk.com/forum/mt-09-technical/1723-aftermarket-ecu-flash.html for more detailed information. It involves removing ECO mode, pair valve, disabling the fuel cut off on decel, the rev limiters in the different gears and changing the electronic throttle opening parameters... It will cost you though but changes the bikes behaviour completely. ;)

So it is possible, simply by completely re-engineering the whole system to be like it should have from the factory! How are yamaha not embarrassed about this?!

Andy Man Cam They should be embarrassed looking at Kawasaki, Triumph and others who've sorted it ages ago already... and they have to meet emission standards too. Gives us tinkerers some room for having fun on improvement though. ;) The re-engineering, as you call it, is already done by quite a few professional tuners. As said it can cost you some serious money on top off just buying and riding the bike in stock trim. Not to mention some other flaws like suspension... But still I love my 09 and wouldn't trade it for another bike! ;)

Thanks Daniel! That's lucky cos the cuts ain't going nowhere! :D

I won't ask why a Brit does most of his vids in Hamburg, Germany. LOL But, man, they really work. Funny and entertaining stuff. Keep up the good work!

Haha! I suppose that's a fair question! I live in Hamburg, so it seemed like the easiest place to make my videos! ;) The full story will all be explained in good time my dear fellow! Cheers for watching this far though!

Great fun stuff. And I look forward to more!

I would hope so, but I very much doubt it! They hadn't fixed the FZ1 after a decade of production and another 6 years on top! Yamaha just aren't good at realising the emmissions rules it seems!

+Stuart Morton Cheers Stuart! Thanks for enduring the humour!

+Enrique Vazquez Landa Thanks! Yeah i can fully understand that! I'd have one tomorrow. Enjoy!

Thanks DJ-S! For the comment and the sub! I'm happy it fits, somebody's got to like my stuff, right?! I would recommend teeing the MT-09. It feels good to sit on, but gets so much better when it's moving! Fabulous machine! Don't knock the ER-6 too much. It's the same heart as my versys under there! ;)

Haha! I like big bags and I cannot lie...

ha! On the FZ1N, I have to take the headlight completely OFF to get to the adjusters without a MASSIVE and flexible extension!

+Sky Rider Then I am a jealous man. It was a really special machine!

I haven't, though i would very much like to! Hoping maybe to have a go on one in spring. I'd also like to compare it against the new R1100R. More torque, less $$$!!

+Mat Newton Did notice a bit of skippy front when i was pressing on. But then i was being enthusiastic with the twisty bit! I actually found the screen to be the best of the little bunch i tested, but there's no fit all solution with screens. All in all, totally agree with the price. Very reasonable for the machine you get. Few tweaks and it could be awesome.

How would you compare it to the Versys? The reason I ask is I fancied a change and need something for 2up touring. Maybe I should stick with it? I'll definitely change the screen if so. I'm 6'3 so I have this problem a lot.

Agreed! Blinkin loved it too! Yamaha have yet to deliver me my free one as thanks for the review though....

+jspope2008 Now that is tricky! I reckon it would come down to the deal on the table!

I hate it sometimes! I wish i could just be happy with something! :D

Yep, that'd be great! An on/off switch for OCD or whatever this is called ;) I "fight" it or make fun of it every day though, I wear two different coloured socks...same brand and model though. Babysteps they say, don't they?^^

Hi David. I’m a big g fan of small or no screen. I find that I’d rather have more wind on my chest but for that wind to be ‚clean‘. This means I’m not so protected, but it’s actually quieter and smoother. Of course this is made easier by the fact that I’ve become a bit of a fair weather rider lately, so I don’t need the protection for commuting in bad weather so much!

+ChuckNinja Kawasaki Thanks Chuck! Enjoy the video nonsense and ride thee safe!

I'd love to! I've never ridden a V4 so much like the V-twins it would be yet another first for me. I'll see what i can do but i think it might be tight this side of spring! I'd refer to the throttle characteristics as more of a 'snatchy transition from off to on and vice versa' than hunting. That's a problem that seems to be restricted to kawasaki at the moment! My versys and the 1000 i tested included. Ride safe yourself Charlie 😆

+jspope2008 No problem. And good luck with the choosing!

Thanks mate!

Me too. The 'B' mode definitely smoothed it out. But that must ruin the responsiveness when you're giving it some. Otherwise it would be the only mode!

Sorry for the essay but.... I feel very differently about riding since i did the Tracer video. Now I'm all about the pure riding experience. Riding just for fun and doing it when the conditions are best. So currently I really enjoy the fact that my FZ1n has no screen (wind on your chest keeps the speeds down, and there's ZERO buffeting from screen turbulence) and no electrical wizardry interfering with my riding. I also enjoy the more aggressive riding position of the FZ1n which makes me feel more connected to the bike, more in contact with the road and increases the feeling of control in the tight twisties. With all of that being said, the Tracer is still a great bike. For commuting, touring, scratching whatever, it'll do an awesome job. The engine is fabulous and despite the FZ1N having 30-odd more horses, the torquey triple puts the power down in a much more usable range and so unless you're up in the FZ1's power band (or the FZ1 is ECU tuned), the Tracer actually feels more punchy at lower revs. On the negative side, when I tried the Tracer the fuelling was terrible. WAY worse than on my now 13 year old FZ1n. You'd have thought they'd have smoothed that EFI mapping out by now! (Perhaps it's better on the 2019 models. I'm hoping to find out this year as I plan to test ride a 2019 MT-09 at some point.) Also the Tracer's screen, although the best of the bunch of bikes I tried at the time, was still not perfect and caused lots of buffeting and noise at almost all speeds. But if you wanted to ride in all weathers and for long distances, even a bad screen is less exhausting than no screen at all! So it really depends on what you want to do with it. For me, I'm in no rush to trade my old FZ1 in for something newer. But maybe that'll change when i try the naked version of the Tracer later this Spring!?

Hard to say without trying it, but in theory it should be perfect! Good screen, wide seat, comfy postion. What more could you want?!

OOOOOOOOOH! That sounds like an offer I can't refuse! I'm really keen to try one as the motor in the MT-07 was really special, but the bike too small. Seems like they've removed any excuses I had!

Andy, my bike is your bike mate.

Too kind. Cheers.

+MotoHAWKY Thanks mate! Yeah I didn't remember seeing such a hideous clock surround when I was considering a used 650 V-Strom! Shame you missed out on the MT though. I loved it!

I secretly dream of Vstrom 800😀

That would be a great size! Not so crazy with the likes of the KTM Adventure 890 out there. Anruf Suzuki would have to make a new engine or some huge engineering developments to the current one.

Without a doubt. It has its problems, however. But it definitely gave me more of that warm & fuzzy feeling inside than the others!

I'm 6'4" or 192cm. Putting both feet on the floor is mostly not problem for any bike out there!

Hi Mehdi. Thanks. I'm 6'4" tall and the though the bike fitted me pretty well, it wasn't massive. Certainly not as tall as a GS or an Africa Twin. I think this bike also has an adjustable seat height, though now I can't be sure.

Andy Man Cam thanks men and i'm 5'7" do you think it would fit me or i should lokk for another bike hhh

+ninjanelly350 I wish it was mate! I don't even think Santa will bring me one though! At least not this year...

Weird... ;)

Ahh, sorry, you did say one could get used to it. Which tells me you love it, because you usually say you don't want to have to think too hard about peculiarities when riding. 😉

+B Simpson Financial windfall must always be at least planned for! TBH the snatchy throttle was the single worst part about the bike. I tried not to go on about it too much, but it was there throughout. I regret not making that clear now as it was the main negative for me. I still love the bike and given the means, I'd get one today. But I'd also want to address that horrible fuelling. Luckily as I've seen with the boosterplug on my Versys, it's possible and the bikes character can be cheaply and easily transformed.

+B Simpson I think you could get used to it, but i also said the same about my Versys. But then as soon as i fitted the boosterplug i can't imagine not having it. By removing the need to use the clutch on tight or slow corners (those peculiarities you mention!) It transformed my riding and i was smoother, faster and safer through the twisties. I think the 'you could get used to it' response is me maintaining the British stiff upper lip! When in reality I'd much prefer to not have to think about the bikes shortcomings.

+jspope2008 Ok. I think the Tracer edges it. Bit more exciting. Edgier looks. Cooler dash, LED headlights and the distinctive triple sound. Traver FTW.

Probably something to do with the huge lack of numbers on my bank account!! $$$

I see it as a good test of the traction control to not know it's there. If it is obvious and intrusive, then it's a bad traction control system. If you can't tell the difference AND you don't crash, then it's a good system!! :D

+jspope2008 money no object? Might be worth looking at a KTM 1290 GT then? 😉

It's a new and very 'usey' word!

Don't doubt it mate! I have a feeling i would love the bejeezus out of mine too! If i could only get one!

+max collinson-smith Thanks Max! Cheers for watching!

+Jay Neutron Ooooh! Exciting! That's something I'll be looking out for!

You and me both mate. Emissions is one thing, but the bikes are just dangerous. If everBody stopped buying them because they are annoying to ride, I bet the manufacturers would find a way around it. But as they keep selling, there’s no pressure for them to fix the problem.

Cheers! I don't know. Maybe it's a vicious cycle of things costing more down south, so people have to work more which makes them wealthier which in turns drives prices up. Everybody is just stressed down south! Plus there aren't as many stress relieving moountains to go for therapy rides in! It's the same here in germany, but the other way round. Up north is flat and expensive, down south is hilly and joyous! Oh and that's where the good beer comes from!!

+Jess Dempsey It's called a review mate! Can't all be good or bad!

Too bad. Had to do it, otherwise it would be a 2hr video. And you STILL wouldn't have watched it! :D

Hehe, i like long videos and i WOULD, for sure. ;) But now, I'll watch yours too. :)

Thank you very much then! They aren't all quite as choppy as this one. Some are even quite self indulgent! 1 is over an hour long! Enjoy!!

+SFR SanFranciscoRider I did too, but it was just the kind of noise that i like! 😊

I find triumphs triple alot more smooth and sound way better with that whiny noise, also has a way better standard suspension