I also have recently purchased a Tracer 9GT. Done about 500 miles on it so far, both solo and two up. I also had a decent demo ride before purchase on a brand new one. The wife states that it’s the most comfortable that she’s been on a bike. Mine has the large top box.
The suspension, one or two up, is a little firm, but still compliant and it handles very well. Though other than the two preset settings, A1 and A2, only has preload available.
The screen, as per most reviews, even for my meagre 5’09” height is poor. Lots of wind noise hitting the top of my Shoei NXR lid, in either the low or high position. I’ve bought a Puig flip up replacement but not yet fitted it.
Quickshifter, like soo many others I’ve tried, is inconsistent in its smoothness. Same as my previous GS LCs / MT10. Some times it’s like a knife through butter, then the next time, at close enough the same revs and gear, it either bulks, or clunks and feels a little agricultural. To my mind, if I have to think too much about where I am in the Rev range / what gear I’m in etc, to try and make it smooth, then it’s not worth the bother, I might as well use the clutch. Thankfully, that is very slick in its operation, giving nice quiet smooth changes. The biting point is a long way out though, both on mine and the low mileage demo that I rode. Odd this though, as all of the reviews I watched or read said that it was excellent. It could possibly be me and get better with practice.
Brakes are excellent and progressive. So far, I seem to be getting mid 50’s mpg with some spirited riding.
I might end up investing in the comfort seat at some point. Done a few two hour rides and I do find the standard seat a little on the firm side.
With regard to the little wheel for adjusting settings, I have to say that even with all of my digits and good finger / thumb dexterity, it’s a pita to use. You scroll the wheel to get to the part that you want to select and change and then press the wheel in to enter. Most of the time, when I try to do this whilst riding, I end up inadvertently scrolling on to the next item. Easier to do it when stationary. Most of the time, the thing I’m most likely going to want to change will be the trip counter after filling up. Easier to do it stationary. The other time that it will be a pita is when you want to turn on or adjust the heated grip settings. That will frustrate you, trying to change it on the move.
Generally, having ridden the old GT version, imho, this is a big improvement. Particularly in the areas of suspension / handling / throttle response / power / luggage and total weight capacity. I’d have to agree though that the aesthetics leave a little to be desired.
Last thing………….. on the left clock pod, where all of the important / more useful info is, the font on some of the digits are small and difficult to read if you have less than perfect eyesight. It would also be nice if Yamaha brought out a software update at some point, so that you could have a little more choice of what you could have displayed on the right clock pod. Currently, some of the available options are duplicates of the info already displayed on the left pod. For example, it would be nice for those of us without perfect eyesight, to have the larger font on the right side, to be able to see what setting the heated grips are on.
I went for the Tracer because I didn’t fancy waiting months for any of the other bikes I was interested in. Suzuki GSXSGT / NT11 / MT09SP. It was also, second hand with low mileage, considerably cheaper. I also wanted to try something different to my long run of GS12’s.
Time will tell but thus far, I’m quite happy with it. Significantly lighter and easier to man handle than my GS, handles just as well and has plenty enough get up and go at 117bhp odd and 220k wet.