Roadracing World – July 2019

By David Swarts

I

t’s been a few years since Yamaha decided

to unify model names worldwide, relabel-

ing what were the U.S.-market models with

Euro pean-market names. After doing that, the

company refi ned what was the FJ-09 in the

U.S. and re-named it the Tracer 900, and add-

ed an upgraded Tracer 900 GT. The result is a

convenient sport tourer capable of covering a

lot of miles in comfort.

What Stays The Same

The Tracer 900 and Tracer 900 GT share

the FJ-09’s original liquid-cooled, fuel-inject-

ed, DOHC, inline three-cylinder engine, with

a displacement of 847cc coming from a bore

and stroke of 78.0mm x 59.1mm. Compres-

sion ratio is unchanged at 11.5:1, and the

engine continues to feature cylinders offset

from the crankshaft to reduce friction on the

power stroke, fracture-split connecting rods,

velocity stacks with staggered lengths, and a

“crossplane concept” crankshaft with uneven

power pulses to deliver more linear torque.

On the 250i dynamometer at the Attack

Tuning Center (800-575-9212, http://www.attack

performance.com), our 2019 Tracer 900 GT

test bike produced 103.91 bhp at 9,900 rpm

and 59.70 lbs.-ft. of torque at 8,350 rpm, which

is right on par with other Yamaha’s 900-class

Triples we’ve tested.

The engine is equipped with a Ride-by-

Wire throttle system Yamaha calls Yamaha

Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) and three D

Mode riding modes (A – Standard – B), all of

which provide full power albeit with different

throttle responses. Adjustable Traction Con-

trol also carries over from the FJ-09 to the

2019 Tracer 900 models.

The engine is mated to the same six-

speed transmission via an “Assist and Slipper

Clutch” that requires relatively little effort to

pull in the clutch lever and also reduces rear-

wheel lockup and chatter during aggressive

downshifting.

It’s all housed in the same die-cast alu-

minum main frame as the original FJ-09 and

several other Yamaha motorcycles powered by

the proven three-cylinder engine. The front end

still includes inverted 41mm KYB front forks

with adjustable rebound damping and spring

preload and 5.4 inches (137mm) of wheel trav-

el. Rake remains at 24.0 degrees with 100mm

(3.9 inches) of trail.

The front brake system still includes dual

298mm (11.7-inch) fl oating discs and radi-

al-mount ADVICS four-piston calipers with a

standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). The

aluminum alloy wheels continue to come fi t-

ted with 120/70-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR

rear tires, Dunlop Sportmax D222 radials. Ca-

pacity of the fuel tank is also unchanged at 4.

gallons (18.1 liters).

Other features that continue on the 2019

Tracer models are a standard centerstand and

adjustable positions for the handlebar (10mm

range forward/back); the rider seat (15mm

range up/down); and the windscreen (50mm

range via three pre-set positions).

What’s New

For 2019, the Tracer 900 comes with a

larger and reshaped windscreen to provide bet-

ter wind and weather protection. The subframe

has been lengthened 5mm to better accom-

modate side cases. The handlebar is narrower

and the hand guards are smaller and lighter,

resulting in the overall width of the Tracer 900

being reduced by 3.9 inches (100mm).

The rider’s position relative to the foot-

pegs and handlebar remains the same, but the

rider’s seat is now 5mm thicker (and higher)

for greater comfort. The new passenger seat

is also thicker and wider, the passenger grab

handles are spaced further out to open up the

seating area, and the passenger footpegs have

been lowered to add leg room. All of the body-

work has been redesigned to improve airfl ow

and wind protection for the rider.

The biggest change on the new Tracer 900

is a 60mm longer (592mm vs. 532mm) alumi-

num swingarm that provides more rear wheel

travel—5.6 inches (142mm) vs. 5.1 inches

(130mm), improved traction during accelera-

tion, and a “solid handling feel,” according to

Yamaha. The longer swingarm increases the

claimed wheelbase from 56.7 inches (1,440mm)

to 59.1 inches (1,500mm) and comes with new,

matching shock settings to provide better tour-

ing performance.

Another thing that hasn’t changed on the

2019 Tracer 900 is the price. The Manufactur-

QUICK LOOK:

Yamaha Tracer

900 GT

A Great

Sport-Tourer

The Yamaha Tracer GT in its natural habitat, a mountain road in Europe. It’s based on what used

to be called the FJ-09 in the U.S., with upgrades including better suspension, a quickshifter, cruise

control, traction control, D-Mode power delivery, and cases that lock/unlock with the ignition key.

18—Roadracing World, August 2019