2018 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT First Look
Rennie Scaysbrook | November 6, 2017
Get Ready To Munch Some Miles…
Love me some snow-capped mountains and a Yamaha GT!
Today, Yamaha announced that it would be adding two early-2019 models to its Sport Touring lineup, the Tracer 900 and Tracer 900 GT. The new models come as replacements for the outgoing FJ-09—which both are heavily based off of—and come as Yamaha’s pursuit to enhance sport touring performance for the most demanding riders.
The Tracer 900 will be updated with a host of updates to improve comfort for the rider and passenger. Improved wind protection comes as a result of a new, larger windscreen that is said to be adjustable by one hand. The rider’s seat also receives a redesign, now featuring a two-position setting (high and low), and the handlebars are narrower with improved handguard designs for the 2019 model. The front cowling’s air intake has been refined to improve appearance, as has the fuel tank’s side panels and wings. Finally, the Tracer 900 gets a freshly designed aluminum swingarm and revised shock settings to improve upon its sporty handling.
Little nips and tucks are all that’s required to keep the Tracer 900 fresh.
Yamaha didn’t skip on improving the passenger’s comfort either, adding a new footrest assembly and grab handles. The passenger’s seat has also been refined to improve comfort on long journeys.
The Tracer 900 GT will be available as an upper-spec model, offering buyers an even greater level of performance for the back roads. Yamaha’s latest TFT instrument panel will be used on the GT model to play host to vital information to the rider, including data regarding the cruise control feature that comes equipped on the premium model. Heated grips and a Quick Shift System (QSS) that allows for clutchless upshifts are also standard on the GT. Rounding out the GT’s premium components are a fully-adjustable front fork, remote preload adjuster for the rear shock, and color matched 22-liter Genuine Yamaha hardcases.
We are going to have to wait until the second half of 2018 to get our hands on the Tracer 900 and Tracer 900 GT, but there’s no doubt the wait will be well worth it. The FJ-09 has been a long-time favorite for sport touring enthusiasts, and to see Yamaha building upon its strong points to produce the Tracer 900 is darn exciting.
Prices will be available in coming months.
