In August ‘22 following positive reviews on this channel I bought a new Honda CB500X. All in all I am very happy with this bike. I then decided I needed a sport bike already having a large cruiser (Victory Kingpin). Yesterday I bought a KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO with the full Tech software/firmware package. The interesting thing is that I had to buy the bike solely on the basis of KZfaq reviews since none of the dealers in my area had a demo bike. Such are the times we’re living in. My complaint is that the sales people don’t have very strong product knowledge and I’m spending the day today uncovering the many features this remarkable motorcycle has. Greetings from Northern California!

I appreciate your honest review. I agree with most everything. I actually love the "scuba steve" edition display. Perhaps it's just so unconventional. I got a 2022 due to the new tech in '23. I'm 5'9 and 150lbs. I love this bike. Keep up the quality content. Well done.

As usual a good work RocketMan 👌I own this bike and I love it ! I think you're being harsh with the GT's suspensions, which I think are excellent! The major defect of this bike is the position and the comfort of the seat; it is necessary to improve it to appreciate this bike in particular to travel

New to your channel, RM. Love your honest and eloquent reviews. Particularly enjoy your dry sense of humour you pepper throughout your videos with your similes and metaphors..... diver's face haha #accurate 👌🏽

A analogia com a máscara de mergulho foi, simplesmente, perfeita. Bom fim de semana, para todos .

The silver/blue reminds me of my dad’s ‘78 XS750 triple with the shaft drive and aftermarket vetter bags; ah, nostalgia. Would love to still have that bike! (Though not as an “only” 😬)… cheers!

The dash reminds me of a comedy fake disguise 🤣 I'm not sure i could get past it enough to put up with it.

Good review, as always 🙂 This bike has interested me for quite a while. I was almost going to pull the trigger on getting a low mileage second hand one, but the dealer never came back to me on getting a test ride and then they'd flogged it ! The "Wall-E" comical dash , with a bit of a "Nose", would get tiring to look at . Sounds like switching on heated grips is a pain, with 10 pointless levels of heating . (Triumph type switch with 3 levels and a button on the left hand grip is the perfect interface ). The windscreen has been moaned about by all reviewers (amongst them, MCN's Neavesy), it sounds like it is fixable, but that's an extra £120 ish for an aftermarket MRA screen. I wasn't aware there was a '23 update, think I'll wait to see what that's like. This could be the perfect bike for me, I don't want any off roading pretensions, so 17" wheels and road biased geometry and suspension sounds excellent to me. It's not too big or heavy. They just need to fix some of the above, and hope Triumph don't start making something similar again (without a T plane crank) ! I'm a sucker for a Triumph badge. Finally, I'd have this one in Red.

I have been looking at add a new adventure bike to my garage and I am currently waiting to try the Norden 901 and the Harley Pan America, although I may opt for the 975cc engine if Harley release that in January 23. Unfortunately I have had to rule out a number of contenders because of poor dealer back-up and service, and that’s something that may also affect other buyers, particularly in the smaller Europan markets. Looking forward to your next test ride!.

The Tracer 9 only comes in top spec in Australia, rather pricey at $24000. When I rode it I loved the engine, however everything else was quite forgettable. Rode the KTM 890 Adventure, would be the bike for me if I was not concerned about the look of the bike. So the Norden 901 is looking like a winner, however getting a rest ride is rather difficult. Many thanks for all your efforts.

just one note - quickshifter works smooth down as well. probably that bug was only on the machine you tried. plus there is a possibility to adjust settings for quickshifter to work either up/down or only up... so maybe that was the setting your bike had at your ride.

As a satisfied owner of 2021 MT-09, I would add that the bike has a new 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) that keeps the performance of the R1's IMU in a smaller package...strongly appreciated from my side. The bike can be firstly careful companion and a beast right after that...up to you... ;-)

Totally agree with the “Divers Face” comments 🙃 what were Yamaha thinking of ……. Good to see they’ve gone back to LCD for 2023 but the GT+ model is expensive here in the UK and full of gadgets most riders won’t use thus completely moving away from the original Tracers appeal - the price.

Thought there was talk of a Tenere 900. Now that would be quite the bike. New Transalp coming. Also Moto Morini has a good-looking ADV bike with a silly name, the Xcape.

I can put a Shoei GT Air in each pannier no problem. The pegs can be lowered for longer legs as is the handle bar forward and back a bit. Quick shifter has been absolutely brilliant up and down without issues.

This is a good choice. I guess the question is.. do you ever plan on doing single track in your adventures? You can also try the Triumph 900 Scrambler although no 6th gear. CB500x, Duc Scrambler, CRF300R or KLR650. Keep the speed twin. Its a looker and performer as well.

I have more than 12,000 miles on my 2021 Tracer 9 GT. Once I sorted out a taller windscreen and got a better seat, I was able to enjoy the bike. Yeah, the dash could be better but the information I need is easy to read at a glance. The quick shifter works great, up and down, but the throttle needs to be closed to downshift. My head measures 59 CM. My Shoei RF-SR, size Large, fits in the side case (upside down and rear facing) My AGV is too big. For me, it works. But I ride only on the road.

Just watched your VStrom 800 review & it's heat management problems were a deal killer for me. It is strongly rumored that Yamaha will come out with a Tenere 900 with this engine. Do you recall this engine throwing a lot of heat? Thank you from Las Vegas~

Even though I chose MTS950S over the (previous) Tracer 900 GT, I have tried it, as well as this 9GT model (much later, obviously). Honestly, I wouldn`t mind the "diver/moustache" look, as long as the information on those screens was larger. Another thing that was apparent immediately, MTS950 is a more comfortable and roomier place to be (for my 179cm). That also includes being heavier (piggy) to move around at slow speeds, with a full tank, full 3-piece luggage+pillion, but really helps while travelling two-up...

Its a little busy looking up front for me, but it seems allot of the bikes seem to be styled like that now.

i have always liked the Tracer, i hated the Dual TFT, i was very close to ordering the Tiger900 until 1. the luggage comes with it is rubbish and because of the Exhaust one panier has to be smaller than the other.. 2. i heard the Tracer is getting the same TFT as the Tech max now which is a wonderful TFT so i am waiting to see the finish product at Eicma then hopefully place my order

A Tenere 900 then? I'm sure it's coming, but yamaha teased us for ages with the 700 Tenere do it could be a while yet... BTW currently in the Algarve, although nit on the bike. Understand exactly why you live here! 😎 Happy, safe travels 👍

That dash! The idea of having that staring back at me every time I was on the bike. No Yamaha. No. I liked the dash on my 650 Suzuki Burgman except for the temperature/MPG gauge. For some reason, Suzuki decided to make that number the largest and place it at the center of the instrument panel. Two of the most striking dashes I can remember are the Honda RC51 (I forget the year) and the Vincent Black Shadow with that huge single clock (speedometer). I’ve owned neither, unfortunately. Is the move to France still planned? The Algarve seems perfect for all season riding although I see the logic in your decision. Cheers from the colonies (Florida).

I have always thought of this as the 'nearly bike'; great on paper, just let down a little by the suspension. Have you tried the BMW 1000xr?

I’ve just swapped from a Tiger to a Honda VFR800X, I wish Honda had updated and kept that model, lovely V4 engine, very comfortable, and fun to ride, only it’s weight gets in the way! Have you tried a Guzzi V85TT?

Does the regular tracer 9 have cruise control? I thought they don't, to distinguish the GT. I've ridden the 2019 tracer 900 GT, but I didn't connect with it, if it makes sense. Try the guzzi v85tt, it's not the most powerful, but you have the speed twin already for that. It can go offroad, although not mental. Cruise control is as standard. You have to like the looks of course. Try the transverse v-twin, you might like it's character.

I never got on with my 2015 MT09 Tracer. Just lots of little niggles from the plank of a seat to the jerky throttle response, vibrations in seat, pegs and bars, didn't like the twin headlights but only one lights up thing either. Looked good though. :P

Have you considered the Triumph Scramblers?

Good video

They have revised the dash, it was seen in MCN July. Yea, the colour scheme was a negative for me.

I have a 2022 mt09 sp and the quick shifter works good up and down but I don't think it's "great" on the down shift because the computer won't allow it to shift down unless the throttle is closed 100% with a very intentional closed hand position which makes it not so quick...I'd rather just throttle blip/use clutch traditional style which it allows with the quick shifter in enabled mode.

Being 6'5" (1m96) I love these old long seats that allow me to slide my bottom to the back. No problem for me with high seats 😊. So I imagine this bike would need quite some work to accomodate tall persons. Duh...

What about the BMW S 1000 XR ? Zero off road potential though.

I had the tracer 900 , the engine is sublime , however even the comfort seat was thin hard and uncomfortable , I thought the fixings were cheap and nasty and I’m not a fast rider but I always felt the front wheel was giving no confidence cornering . It was a frustrating nearly bike , the new tiger 900 is a lot better all round bike , for this segment I’d be very interested at looking at the husky norden 901

Go for a GS you won't go wrong.. :) Its the only bike I really miss as I don't own one any longer and I've had many bikes from all brands over the years

Another top review as always. Who’s designing these displays nowadays 🤔 (same issue with the rev counter on my street triple rs) obviously not a biker. 😮

I really like the dash!

Once you see it, you can't unsee it! What we're they thinking? Very small text too, us folk who use reading glasses might struggle.

2022 - 2022 #Aprilia Tuareg 660 2022 #KTM 890 Adventure 2022 Ducati Dessert X 2022 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro 2022 #Yamaha Ténéré 700

In my opinion I feel the tracer 9, is a bike, where the term wolf (well rabid dog to be less dramatic ) in sheep's clothing is very apt. It looks so sensible but, riding one makes me giggle, that eager engine and super quick turn in are so out of character with the looks. I know exactly what you mean by wrong bike for your requirements though!.

The GT plus version is what I’d get if I’m going to get another road only bike.

You cannot unsee it, never ever. Such a pity

If you don't want panniers on the Tracer 9, get a MT 09 instead. The best VFM = fun bike there is, IMO. Your Speed Twin is great and I applaud your choice. I, however, would have got the MT, I rather like the strange looks of it. It will start to perform when the, in other ways, rather glorious, Speed Twin gives up.

I like the look of the screens. it's johnny 5

Yamaha Tenere 900 ?

And, where have they put the snorkel?🐳

no no, your quickshifter was broken. mine works perfectly and smoothly up and down

Buy the MT-09SP and fit it with luggage and a windshield. It’s superior to the Tracer and cheaper even after you buy your own luggage and windshield. No off-road capacity either but that’s not my thing anyway.

I had a demo on one, and I found the sound of the engine was annoying at low speeds in built-up areas. I could hear it echoing off buildings, and it sounded like a sewing machine - give me the sound of a V-twin or a parallel twin any day! Thankfully, the bike sounded a lot better when you opened it up on the motorway, it had plenty of power, and I really enjoyed riding it at higher speeds. I found that the quick shifter was useless below 30mph, and the dash was an ugly mess, and, frankly, just plain odd? Overall, it wasn't the bike for me.

I think the most attractive model was the very first one. This one is borderline hideous. It's the fairing lowers that ruin it. Great bike, I have no doubt, though. I rented a Toyota Rav 4 in Cyprus about twenty years ago. Great car.

there can be just one suggestion - tenere 700

How about A Royal Enfield Scram

Hi RM.. How about a BMW F850GS for you? Moto Travel USA…. KZfaqr… has a fine review you may want to watch.. atb, Alan.

I owned a tracer, most uncomfortable for longer journeys, screen terrible, seat is not great, only good point is that engine - between this and tiger 900 the tiger wins

Insectoide lol: agree ;-)

You repeated yourself about the seat sizing so i can sense how much you disliked it :)

Ugly bike even more than the previous model. The design by Yamaha is off by more than ten years now. I did ride only Yamaha for 47 years but there is nothing that appeals to me now. The FZ1 Fazer is the last one I bought. The twin engine is a dog, MT-07 is a very tiresome bike to drive. I bought the Trident 660 instead, marvelous engine that has. MT-09 is a lot better, but compared to the FZ1 not a lot more. Yamaha lost me as a client, they have to do better design work and listen to the clients.

The instrument is hideous

Suggest new Suzuki GT 1000, what ya reckon? SW capes region Western Australia checking in. 🇦🇺