Only five years after its debut, Yamaha has given its triple-cylinder Tracer a full revision for 2021.
Now boasting a larger capacity thanks to a 3mm increase in engine bore, the Tracer 9 GT as it is now dubbed has fully revised bodywork with new headlights reminiscent of the outgoing MT-09.
A key feature of the new Tracer 9 GT is the arrow silhouette formed by the windscreen, front fairing and fuel tank cover that gives a dynamic and purposeful new look.
Like the previous generation of the triple-cylinder Tracer, Yamaha won’t bring in the base model Tracer 9 and will focus on the better equipped Tracer 9 GT for our market. First arrivals are expected in April with pricing yet to be confirmed by Yamaha Motor NZ.
Powering the all-new Tracer 9 GT is a completely redesigned 890cc CP3 engine that is lighter, more powerful and more advanced than the original.
The sophisticated new inline 3-cylinder engine features an increased capacity of 890cc thanks to a 3mm larger bore with the result being an increase of 7% in torque. The peak torque figure of 93 Nm is produced at 7000rpm – 1500rpm lower down the rev range then previously.
As well as this marked increase in linear torque, the power output of the larger 890cc engine is increased to 119hp at 10,000rpm, 4hp up on last year.
Surprisingly despite the larger capacity the new Tracer engine, it actually weighs 1700g less than the outgoing design, which contributes towards the new bike’s enhanced handling agility and versatility.
Speaking of, Yamaha and KYB have jointly developed the Tracer 9 GT’s electronically-controlled semi-active suspension system. Officially known as the KYB Actimatic Damper System (KADS), this advanced suspension generates a much wider range of damping force than conventional suspension and is able to respond instantly to varying riding conditions in order to achieve optimum handling performance.
This use of this semi-active suspension system has been made possible by the bike’s new IMU which works together with the ECU as well as the Hydraulic Unit (HU) and Suspension Control Unit (SCU) to calculate the optimum suspension settings for any given riding situation: fast or slow, wet or dry, smooth or bumpy, solo or two-up.
The advantage of the solenoid system is that it is able to make extremely fast adjustments to damping settings, and it can handle both minor and major changes. By constantly analysing and computing the 6-axis data, the IMU can signal the ECU to adjust damping settings in order to maintain chassis stability at all speeds, and by doing so the KADS supplements the rider’s skills to ensure a more rewarding and enjoyable Sport Touring experience.
KADS can be used in two modes: A-1 is the sporting mode that is designed to deliver taut and responsive suspension action for fast riding on dry roads – and can also accommodate wet conditions. The system can be switched to A-2 mode that is designed to give a more supple and comfortable ride on rougher or uneven surfaces, making it the ideal choice on longer and more relaxed journeys.
Other technological upgrades come in the form of a full electronics suite of safety aids which works in tandem with the IMU, a new TFT display featuring two 3.5 inch screens, corning LED lights and four riding modes.
Other features include an adjustable windscreen that can be adjusted by a total of 50mm through 10 increments of 5mm, heated grips, YZF-R1 style brakes and a set of colour matched new hard cases fitted as standard equipment.
The 2021 Tracer 9 GT is set to arrive in Kiwi dealers from April next year, with pricing yet to be announced by Yamaha Motor New Zealand.