20th September 2017

There are not many motorbikes that have the looks of a unicorn and the fortitude of a dragon as a reputation. Yamaha MT-09 Tracer, though, is one of those rare beasts that has exceeded the expectations of many experts and imagination of countless admirers. Soon after its unveiling, MT-09 Tracer dethroned all heavyweight tourers, becoming first choice of many when it came to crossing continents on two wheels.

Elegance meet optimization

Yamaha MT-09 Tracer weights 418 lbs, falling in the range of middleweight counterparts. Still, the motorbike displays great comfort and is powerful enough to travel long distances with a pillion and extra gear. The motorbike is stapled with an elevated and leaner seat that can be adjusted between 845 mm to 860 mm. The broad bars of the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer gives a comfortable grip and posture, and its distance from the rider can be tuned by 10 mm.

The motorbike also has an aggressive looking aerodynamic cowling, engulfing a twin LED headlight and a large fuel tank with the capacity of 18 L. The fuel capacity is enough to take a non-stop stroll of 300 KMs. The chassis of the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer is built on the bedrock of lightweight CF die-cast aluminium frame, which accentuates the long-distance potential of the bike.

The innovation lab

The core of Yamaha MT-09 Tracer is empowered by a 3-cylinder DOHC, 4-stroke 4-Valves engine with liquid-cool technology and a displacement of 847 cm³. The engine exhales maximum output of 84.6 KW at 10,000 RPM and 87.5 Nm of torque at 8,500 RPM. The power is shifted to the ground through the medium of six speed transmission.

The bike also features switchable Traction Control System (TCS) for safety measures and multifunction dot matrix instrument panel, promising a seamless journey.

Different conditions, same performance

MT-09 Tracer is laced with different operational modes to ensure consistency amid different weather or terrain conditions. On icy or wet surfaces, TCS mode offers tenacity to wheels and confidence to riders. In the occasion of higher acceleration—where the maximum torque can reach 10,000 RPM—the ABS system prevents any skidding or rotation failure.

The braking system consists of two 298 mm front discs with radial mounted four-pot calipers and one 245 mm single pot caliper disc at back. Both panels are supported by MT-09 Tracer’s ABS system that enable one-finger breaking. The wheels are also tagged with 130 mm progressive link shock and 41 mm upside-down forks to ensure plain sailing on a rugged landscape.

Aggressive pricing strategy 

MT-09 Tracer’s biggest selling point is its price. Starting from £8,000 pounds, MT-09 Tracer is significantly cheaper than its competitors; Kawasaki’s ABS-equipped Z1000SX and Ducati’s Multistrada. Yes, these bikes exceed MT-09 Tracer’s horsepower of 115 BHP, but not Suzuki’s V-Strom 1000 and Kawasaki’s Versys 1000. Both machines have marginal power, yet a hefty price tag of ten grand. Besides, Triumph has failed to stand tall against MT-09 Tracer with its Tiger 800 that costs a little more than nine grand while offering 95 BHP.

Indeed, MT-09 Tracer has raised the bar quite high in the motor industry. However, isn’t this what the trailblazers do?