Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Bike Overview
Another amazing bike from Yamaha, the MT-09 Tracer picks up what the MT-09 lacks with a stonking good performance at a wonderful price.
The complaints about fuelling have been ironed out and the bike is a thrill to ride. While the MT-09 had a few issues with suspensions, this has been worked on which makes it a great all performance bike to own. The base engine of the bike is similar to the MT-09, but it has been upgraded and now has a change in mode settings.
It features the sports oriented A mode (an improved version), the B mode (for wet and slippery surfaces) and Standard mode which is more sports bike oriented. Switching between all of them can be done while on the move with a closed throttle. The Standard mode works just fine most of the time with a powerful 115bhp at your disposal. Once you cross 5000 rpm the sound of the exhaust is that of three cylinders firing all guns and is a thrill to hear. The A mode is powerful enough to handle most of the sports bikes around, with the B Mode ideal to drive in wet weather conditions.
The soft suspensions of the MT-09 have really been addressed with an increase in preload (front & rear) and improved damping on the bike. The chassis is well suited for the change and the result is a smooth and stable ride with light and sharp steering. Both the brakes and suspensions perform excellently in all conditions.
If you are looking for an all round bike with performance at a reasonable price, the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer is the bike to buy.
Take a look at the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer in action…
Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Bike Spec
- Top speed145mph
- Weight190kg
- Average fuel consumption42mpg
- Seat height845mm
- Capacity847cc
- EngineLiquid cooled, four stroke, 12v
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Owner Reviews
Pros
This bike is so easy to ride it's unreal. The engine is so solid and picks up at any speed even in 6th gear. I just love it .
Cons
The seat - although later models (GT for one) have had this improved delivered , those of us earlier adopters are left with a sore bum. The comfort seat option on offer delivered no tangible improvements either.
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Lightweight and smooth , extremely "flickable" and a piece a cake to negotiate corners with ,
Difficult to compare as this is my first bike, I was taken by the reviews suggesting this bike's engine is the baby when it come to available torque. This engine gets me out of dodge from other vehicles so often, its sheer aggressiveness is a joy really. Keeps me smiling.
At 8000 miles, my annual service was £180 which included swapping a front tyre (service only)
Bought 2nd hand with 130 miles clocked. 9000 miles later , I have yet to perform a single repair. However exhaust studs and bolts are made of soft steel and I can see rust is on its way.
Unsure on brake make - Front is solid , saved my life , really responsive.
Pros
Comfortable on long rides. Good on running costs. Style of the bike is good. Good for pillion passengers. The Yamaha MT09 Tracer is good all rounder good for touring and long distances and it is a good everyday bike and its fun on quick sort blasts too.
Cons
The wobble at on hard celebration and at high-speed. Exhaust noise could be better too.
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Smooth but it's a bit soft in the corners
Engine is good but the bike doesn't like hard acceleration and high speeds it gets a bit wobbly and the exhaust is a bit quiet for my liking
The wobble at on hard celebration and at high-speed.Exhaust noise could be better too.
No problems so far
Good ABS but on braking the suspension is soft so it travels a lot
Pros
Everything, the only bike that makes me smile on every journey, even if it is just down to the Shops for milk. The Headlights are the best I've ever used. The Engine is a real beauty. The pillion position is brilliant for a modern bike. Would happily jump on her now to go to the shops down the road or cross continents on her. Every journey is a fun adventure. I've ridden a lot of great bikes in the last year but not one including the mighty MT10 (awesome) has made me think of trading her in. Makes me think back to my TDR250 and all the fun that bike gave me. Makes going to work bearable as the journey to and from work are great.
Cons
The styling is a bit marmite. The handlebars are a little wide for filtering. The OE Dunlops are awful unless its over 10degrees and dry (thats not very often in Scotland). The Suspension is budget. The switchgear has moved the headlight flash so you tend to hit the menu button rather than flash someone. The Standard seat should be improved.
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Suspension takes a bit of setting up and even then could be better but at under £9000 on the road Yamaha had to cut costs somewhere. Its lightweight and handles well once suspension is adjusted.
The tripe engine is addictive and provides a seamless surge towards the redline, whilst there may be more powerful engines out there few can match the mix of torque and power. This engine is fun, fun fun but so practical as well. A true all rounder that is as happy scratching the country land or touring the world or just taking you to work or the shops. First bike since the 350YPVS and TDR250 that I look for excuses to go for a wee run.
The styling is a bit marmite. The handlebars are a little wide for filtering. The OE Dunlops are awful unless its over 10degrees and dry (thats not very often in Scotland). The Suspension is budget. The switchgear has moved the headlight flash so you tend to hit the menu button rather than flash someone. The Standard seat should be improved.
No dramas, no breakdown starts first time all the time. Some minor cosmetic issues caused by road salt but the finish is better than other Marques and some of those are way more expensive.
Almost redundant due to the engine braking that the motor has. However if you need to use them there is plenty of power and feel.
Pros
It's just fun. Even in rubbish weather , you get to where your going with a massive grin on your face. If you want to take it stay then it is stable and maneuverable but then turns into a blank machine when the mod takes you. Either way it's a laugh and I have found myself taking massive diversions even on my daily commute just so I can play a bit more. Cheap, good fun, easy to ride. This bike just does everything I want it to from Nipping to the shops to touring it quite simply ticks all the boxes.
Cons
Finish could be a little better but then the price tag would go up.
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I traded an old Fireblade in for this bike and even though the suspension is a bit soft I can go just as quick on this as I could on the Blade. Then the cylinders took a bit of getting used to but once I had it is smooth and very planned on the road. I have not the edge of the the and scrapped the pegs so it doesn't hang about when you want to go.
There are three settings for throttle response, soft, normal and "lively". The soft setting is perfect for filtering and going about town. I use the normal seeing for everything else. Never actually felt the need to stick it in nutter mode as the engine pulls brilliantly even in a spirited ride. Plenty of torque so you don't need to worry about being in the exact right gear.
Finish could be a little better but then the price tag would go up.
Given the price tag I was expecting a few corners to be cut and to be fair the build quality is actually better then I expected. There are a few bits like fasteners rusting but only a couple of then and all the important ones so far are perfect. The only issue I really had was condensation in the clocks but the dealer sorted it out with a replacement direct from Yamaha.
Ok, they stop you when you pull the lever. Not GP carbon stopping power but sharp, responsive and more than adequate.
Pros
Looks - best all round bike in the world
Cons
The windscreen
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The windscreen
Pros
The all round ride ability, great all rounder
Cons
Fueling
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Fueling
Pros
It's a sit up bike So it's comfy but can ride it like a sportsbike. It's a good over all bike I think Yamaha could make some miner changes to make it a very good bike. I've test rode a z1000sx 2017 model and that was so smooth. Just wish the tracer was more like that.
Cons
Smoother fuelling make it less snatchie
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It's my first big bike so I think it decent. Only thing I would say is that it's abit lumpy when slow riding. Ye ive fitted pirelli Rosso 111 so much more confident when cornering.
Got good power in all gears. its got a lot of torque also.
I don't use it every day so can't really comment on the running cost.
Touch wood it's never played up
Been good brakes just changed them at 7000
Pros
It's ready to go rain or shine and can cope with whatever is thrown at it. An excellent all rounder that sits high for commuting, blasts round country lanes at weekends and can take me anywhere I want to go.
Cons
Seat comfort
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Suspension needs adjusting to the individual but the bike feels light and agile on any road. An excellent balance between upright and sport
Plenty of torque at lower speeds and good high end pull thanks to the triple.
Insurance and economy similar to my previous bike (650)
No problems so far. Didn't visordown last Yamaha as the most reliable brand?!
Pros
Engine, Price and bang for buck, Riding position and running costs and ultimately the huge smile you'll have on every trip, be it round the corner of round the World. Best bike I've owned in 30 years of riding.
Cons
Standard Handlebars are too wide for filtering.
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Spirited riding shows up the budget suspension set up, but spend a little time adjusting the stock suspension and it can transform the bike. Copes very well with everyday use, only struggles a little when pushed pretty hard which you can't do all the time, well not and keep your licence.
Wow just Wow, never had a triple prior to this and just couldn't believe how good it was. Press put me off as labelled it a hooligans bike and whilst it could be thats not what the bike is about. Pulls cleanly and eagerly all the way through the rev range and is happy pulling from low rpms it qucikly spins up and just keeps going.
Cheap to buy, 50mpg easily achieved even riding quite hard. Good range of extras (not that you need many as comes with lots of things as standard) puts a lot of much more expensive marques to shame on bang for buck
Very happy with fit and finish, Well put together and reliable as anything, however doesn't like salt, surface rust appeared on things like mirror stems and brackets but Yamaha replaced under warranty.
More than powerful enough back brake also really good, but the engine braking by itself is also superb.
Pros
ride-ability is cracking, performs well in all weathers and conditions. never lets me down always does what i ask of it, weather a nice ride or a push the limit ride. always looks good, has a good presence on the road and is a real head turner. my best mate!
Cons
the screen could have a little more height, just for better dynamics and wind protection.
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Pros
Versatile, just as happy cruising through Europe as it is when attacking corners with enthusiasm.
Cons
Standard shocks and seat on the '15 are awful
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Standard shocks (see a theme here…) on the '15 and '16 not very good at all, swapped out for Maxton shock and inserts. '17 has revised units from the factory. Absolute hooligan of a bike if you want it to be…
Lovely triple engine really sings, remapped on mine to remove the nasty throttle transition from closed to open loop fueling.
Average 54.6mpg over the last 12k miles. Mix of commuting and fun
No issues with my bike at all. Reports of cam chain tensioners failing are common though. Yamaha has revised the part several times.
Plenty of brake power available. ABS not overly sensitive.
Pros
The best thing about mt tracer is that it feels like the ultimate cross between a tourer and a sports bike it is an absolute pleasure to ride.
Cons
From what i can see the issues the bike has have been put right in the more up to date versions with suspension upgrades but I really cant think of anything that I would like to see on my bike except maybe a satnav.
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This bike is excellent the upright riding position of a tourer with the responsiveness of a sports bike. The bike feels light and agile.
The 900cc triple performs well and will pull in any gear.
Insurance is reasonable for this bike. Servicing comes in at around the average price for the market and the bike will do 150 to 180 on a tank dependant on your riding style.
The build is typically Yamaha it is excellent.
Brakes are spot on with twin front calipers and ABS the bike feels safe and positive under braking.
Pros
It does everything well the way the engine pulls always puts a smile on my face. Comfortable position and performance surprises even sports-bike riders.
Cons
The seat was very hard at first the optional comfort seat no better
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Pretty good once you set up suspension
Does everything well from pottering along to screaming along I love the way the engine is so sweet I have managed an average 54 mpg since having it new 3 years ago and I’m not a slow rider
managed 54 mpg over 3 years and road pilot tyres seem to be the best I’ve tried fab grip all weather and look brand new after a few thousand miles
Quality is good a few very minor niggles some of the fixings such as number plate holder started to fiat after 3 years all weather biking
Brakes are ok work well enough