While we were captivated by the new look of the 2021 Aerox, Yamaha has actually quietly launched the all-new Tracer elsewhere in the world.
Now called just Tracer 9 instead of the former MT-09 Tracer, the new bike belongs to the rather niche sport touring segment, bikes with features like adventure bikes, but designed for more road use. To put it into perspected, other popular sport touring examples are the BMW F900 XR and Kawasaki Versys 1000.
It’s not simply cosmetic changes. Yamaha has built a new chassis, motor, and extensive suite of electronic aids for this 2021 model.
Designed as a long distance and highway tourer, the Tracer 9 has lots of fairing anda tall windscreen to deal with all the wind. To light up the road, it gets twin LED headlights paied with separate cornering lights.
It’s powered by a new Euro-5 compliant 890cc, 3-cylinder engine that produces 119-PS at 10,000 rpm (4-PS more than before) and 93-Nm at 7,000rpm (1,500 rpm lower than before). This is paired to a 6-speed transmission with an up and down quickshifter and a slip and assist clutch.
For the rider, there’s a new instrument cluster made of two 3.5-inch multi-function TFT screens. The left side features the typical tachometer, speedometer, gear indicator and other trip info. The right side is for information like the fuel tank, trip meter, and fluid temperatures. These screens can also be adjusted to display other factors with control buttons on the left handlebar.
Besides the view, the rider can also adjust the various rider aids. There’s up 4 riding modes, with adjustable traction, slide and wheelie control, and cruise and brake control, and monitored by a 6-axis IMU.
This is all carried by a new lightweight aluminum frame designed to be much smaller to better distribute weight and feel. It rides on a KYB upside down fork in front and a KYB shock and swingarm in the rear. It rides on 10-spoke forged aluminium 17-inch wheels and road biased tires.
Another feature Yamaha has thrown in is seat adjustment. There’s a two-position height adjuster for the seat and even the footpegs without need for tools.
The Tracer 9 is offered in standard and GT trim levels. In the past, the Tracer 900 was made available in the Philippines in limited quantities so it’s likely we may see the new model here soon.
