12th January 2017

Overview

Yamaha Tracer 700 is not so much a surprise as a delightful dream fulfilment in the category of sports tourers. Less weight, more agility, a spirited performance, and to cap it all, cheaper too! It seems to be an answer to the prayer for the perfect two-wheeler friend to go off on your sports-tour.

The Japanese manufacturer of the popular MT series came up with one of the bestselling bikes of the year 2016 at an astonishingly moderate price tag of £6299 without detracting from practicality or fun. While retaining the lightweight character of MT-07, it has a greater fuel capacity of 17 liters and more stability provided by its longer asymmetric swingarm made of aluminium in place of the steel in MT-07.

Design and Specifications

Tracer 700 combines its considerable long distance abilities with a stylish look and an amazing fully fuelled weight of 196kg. It features the same 689cc Cp2 motor as the MT-07 though the mechanical parts have undergone revision to cater to the sports-touring requirements. To meet the Euro4 specifications the air intake and exhaust have been revised. It also boasts of the best power-to-weight ratio in comparison with the other bikes of the same class. The punchy torque output of this Tracer is unmatched by regular twin cylinder engines and makes easy work of hairpin bends with a minimum effort. A 270-degree crankshaft and uneven firing order contributes to a predictable traction and torque.

The Rider’s View

The 50 mm longer swingarm gives a reassuring wheelbase of 1450 mm that makes travelling with luggage more stable.  A 35 mm rise of the seat due to a new rear sub-frame offers more legroom and this, along with the bars that are more raised and pushed further backwards, ensure that the rider gets a more comfortable upright riding position.

Tracer 700 has brilliant panel displays with not only the standard speedometer, rev counter and odometers but also gear position indicator, fuel meter, clock, fuel reserve trip-meter, air intake temperature, coolant temperature, instantaneous or average fuel consumption information etc. even though it remains compact. Integrated knuckle guards is an added feature. The front fairing gives adequate wind protection with a manually adjustable windscreen.

Even amateur riders find the throttle motion ideal and the admirable power delivery guarantees a smooth drive. The Tracer has adequate breaking ability, but like MT-07, the handlebar has to be squeezed firmly to bring about a sharp stop. However, the Michelin Pilot Road 4 tires ensure excellent grip even on wet roads in extreme weather conditions.

Accessories

The company offers a wide range of accessories like heated grips, comfort/heated seats, crash bars, fog lamps, screens and so on to tempt anyone needing further incentives to try out this superb innovation. It is also extremely easy to fix the accessories, as is the case with the rear aluminum carrier that requires only the removal of the passenger grip and fitting in of the carrier. The absence of any drilling or cutting makes it a very easy work. The side-case stay needs only to be bolted on! So, that spur-of-the-moment trip doesn’t seem a bad idea after all with Yamaha Tracer 700 to help you along!