Tracer 9 GT as FJR Replacement?

Papa54 · Oct 12, 2023

RossKean said:
Interesting to see that they have released a 2024 Tracer 9 GT+ and they call it "Yamaha's Ultimate Sport Tourer"
https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/models.php?product=204&action=productPage
Canadian site blurb says:
The flagship of Yamaha's Sport Touring range, the new Tracer 9 GT+ is a technological juggernaut offering a level of sophistication unmatched in its class. It starts with the new Millimeter Wave Radar which detects distance of vehicles ahead, enabling groundbreaking radar-linked Adaptive Cruise Control and Unified Brake Systems. Additional features like the KYB semi-active suspension, integrated riding modes, lean-sensitive rider aids, new smartphone connectivity with fullscreen Garmin navigation, new third-generation quickshifter and a host of other advanced features ensure comfort and capability nothing else in its price category can touch.

Might not mean anything, despite calling the Tracer 9GT+ "Ultimate" or "Flagship". Certainly appears that Yamaha threw some technology at it but nobody will know for sure until an official announcement is made.

I sat on one at the Mountain Motorsports dealership in Duluth, Georgia. It wouldn't be my choice for a replacement for the FJR. The salesman I spoke to had the opportunity to travel with a group riding a Tracer. He'd also traveled on an FJR. Without saying much he gave his opinion. One of which involved the vibration of the Tracer's three cylinder engine.
My impression was that it's too tall, too short, and too small to accommodate long distance travel in comfort, with performance. I'm hoping Yamaha rethinks it. I doubt that the Tracer's fuel economy will be much better than an FJR also. I can achieve 48 mpg on a two lane road at reasonable speeds. I'd nearly bet money that the Tracer won't best the FJR in mpg by much.

SkooterG · Oct 12, 2023

The writing is on the wall folks. FJR is out. Tracer 9 is in. If we are lucky, we will have another 2-3 years of the FJR. Wtih no updates of course. All R&D money and promotion is going to the Tracer. IT is Yamaha's S/T bike for the future. At least there will be lots of clean used FJRs on the market for years to come.

That is unfortunate, but emissions and sales numbers have predicted the FJRs extinction.

kebo123 · Oct 13, 2023

SkooterG said:
The writing is on the wall folks. FJR is out. Tracer 9 is in. If we are lucky, we will have another 2-3 years of the FJR. Wtih no updates of course. All R&D money and promotion is going to the Tracer. IT is Yamaha's S/T bike for the future. At least there will be lots of clean used FJRs on the market for years to come.

That is unfortunate, but emissions and sales numbers have predicted the FJRs extinction.

I am afraid that you are right…

mophead · Oct 14, 2023

Being on the ST Owners forum I see the FJR being around for quite some time even if Yamaha ceases production. Someone will post a RTE on that board and maybe one or two ST's will show with all others being Yamaha's, BMW's, and various other brands. Of course the ST has been gone since 2012ish but still supported by many on that forum.
Might as well start buying up FJR parts bikes for the future.

No Tracers or ADV bikes for this old man. I look stupid riding through town standing on the pegs.

But for now still supported by mamma Yamaha so we can enjoy!

Papa54 · Oct 14, 2023

SkooterG said:
The writing is on the wall folks. FJR is out. Tracer 9 is in. If we are lucky, we will have another 2-3 years of the FJR. Wtih no updates of course. All R&D money and promotion is going to the Tracer. IT is Yamaha's S/T bike for the future. At least there will be lots of clean used FJRs on the market for years to come.

That is unfortunate, but emissions and sales numbers have predicted the FJRs extinction.

Do you want to sell your 14 FJR ?

Fred W · Oct 14, 2023

I’d bet not. I’m not looking to sell mine either.

I have 4 other bikes in the garage, all of them have chains. I’m not anti chain. They are easy to service. With modern o-ring chains you can either lube the crap out of them or not. Doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference. I squirt some **** on there every once in a while, but I’m nit convinced it’s worth the price of the lube. Mostly I do it so the chain doesn’t rust.

spectreman · Oct 15, 2023

I considered the T900GT but like all the FJ/Tracer versions, I found them ugly to behold. The newest gen is no better, may be even worse. If I'm dropping that kind of cash on a bike, I want to be able to look at it too. And Yamaha is asking stupid cash for the new gen, IMHO. The other point is that it is not a good 2-up bike so what's the point of it being an ST?

Would I like my '15 FJR to be a little lighter, less wieldy to move around the garage? Yeah but at what cost? Not for a Tracer- that's for sure.

I'm not sure what it would take to update the FJR to meet current standards; someone else mentioned more tech, which I don't want/need, nor do I want/need more power or performance.

user 90243 · Oct 15, 2023

spectreman said:
I considered the T900GT but like all the FJ/Tracer versions, I found them ugly to behold. The newest gen is no better, may be even worse. If I'm dropping that kind of cash on a bike, I want to be able to look at it too. And Yamaha is asking stupid cash for the new gen, IMHO. The other point is that it is not a good 2-up bike so what's the point of it being an ST?

Would I like my '15 FJR to be a little lighter, less wieldy to move around the garage? Yeah but at what cost? Not for a Tracer- that's for sure.

I'm not sure what it would take to update the FJR to meet current standards; someone else mentioned more tech, which I don't want/need, nor do I want/need more power or performance.

Friend of mine wore out his Wing. Got the Tracer, lighter in his Toy Hauler. I don't think he's happy. Wife isn't.

Dodger · Oct 16, 2023

Too short, too light, too high (nearly 33 inches) and yes it is fugly. It really does look like Yamaha is abandoning the sports/touring class in favour of something that is neither fish nor fowl. When the wind blows that extra weight is far from a hindrance.

keithq · Oct 16, 2023

At the risk of repeating myself, which my wife says is not uncommon, I bought an early 900GT, kept it one year, rode it just enough to get past the break in, changed the oil and sold it. Did not care for several things, though I did like the weight compared to an FJR. Lack of coverage, even with a (still small) larger shield. Uncomfortable seat and pegs. I' 5'8 with a 30" inseam. On my next FJR, added the T-Rex lowering kit and now I can pretty much flat foot it.

No clouds on the shot below.

Ride2it · Nov 1, 2023

RossKean said:
Interesting to see that they have released a 2024 Tracer 9 GT+ and they call it "Yamaha's Ultimate Sport Tourer"
https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/models.php?product=204&action=productPage
Canadian site blurb says:
The flagship of Yamaha's Sport Touring range, the new Tracer 9 GT+ is a technological juggernaut offering a level of sophistication unmatched in its class. It starts with the new Millimeter Wave Radar which detects distance of vehicles ahead, enabling groundbreaking radar-linked Adaptive Cruise Control and Unified Brake Systems. Additional features like the KYB semi-active suspension, integrated riding modes, lean-sensitive rider aids, new smartphone connectivity with fullscreen Garmin navigation, new third-generation quickshifter and a host of other advanced features ensure comfort and capability nothing else in its price category can touch.

Might not mean anything, despite calling the Tracer 9GT+ "Ultimate" or "Flagship". Certainly appears that Yamaha threw some technology at it but nobody will know for sure until an official announcement is made.

So tired of the same old grey.

Warchild · Nov 2, 2023

While the Tracer 9 GT+ has a lot of interesting tech, what it can not do is carry FJR1300 hard bags natively. Like my 2020 Tracer 900 GT can, which is why that bike has replaced the FJR for my needs. Have not lost any carrying capacity using FJR cases, and wifey and I tour on this platform all summer long:

CollingsBob · Nov 2, 2023

I went to my local Yamaha dealer to investigate a Tracer 9GT and asked them for a quote for my ‘17 FJR as a trade-in…They refused as they already have an used FJR on the floor. So, I went to the BMW dealer who happily gave me a trade-in value.

Baron Samedi · Nov 2, 2023

CollingsBob said:
I went to my local Yamaha dealer to investigate a Tracer 9GT and asked them for a quote for my ‘17 FJR as a trade-in…They refused as they already have an used FJR on the floor. So, I went to the BMW dealer who happily gave me a trade-in value.

Holy Moly. Some dealers are idiots.

Steph C · Sep 21, 2024

I have both: 2016 ES and 2022 T9 GT. They are very different bikes and the FJR is more for long distances and the Tracer for mid (<200 mile in a trip) distances IMO. Love 'em both though.

bonami00 · Sep 22, 2024

Steph C said:
I have both: 2016 ES and 2022 T9 GT. They are very different bikes and the FJR is more for long distances and the Tracer for mid (<200 mile in a trip) distances IMO. Love 'em both though.

Yes ; I understand, but it stays an ugly bike, isn't it?

sidewinder · Sep 22, 2024

I won't replace my 2016 FJR for a Tracer. Lightweight sounds great, but I've been riding FJRs since 2008 and am used to the weight by now.
I did buy a GSA1250 two years ago and really like that bike. Its similar in some ways, but lots different on others. Thought I might sell the FJR, but I can't stop enjoying the FJR right now. I ride them both quite often.

biknflyfisher · Sep 24, 2024

I just spent the weekend riding 1000 miles on all the Sierra passes from Lake Tahoe to Tioga Pass in Yosemite, and I would not have traded my 2007 FJR for any of the other bikes we encountered on the road.
The handling, stability, power and comfort of my 650lb “tank” didn’t bother me in the least.
I’ve never ridden a lighter sport touring bike, so I guess I really don’t have that point of reference as to what that might be like, but as I’m not interested in something else, it’s a moot point.
As long as you are out riding what you enjoy (whatever that might be) you are OK in my book.
But as for me and my house, we will ride the FJR (and serve the Lord….).
Biknflyfisher

HelzBelz · Dec 13, 2024

Hi all, I have replaced my 2009 FJR with the 2024 Tracer 9 GT+. The FJR is now sold.
I recently did 10k miles on the Tracer, around the US, starting here in Florida and ending in Vegas, Where she sits now. I fly out to my brother in law's house when I find cheap airfare and ride to Cali, Montana, AZ, Utah, etc. I still have some farkling to do (stock seat sucks, OEM comfort seat sucks only slightly less) .
But the bike is so much fun, especially if you are not a two up rider. Wind/Rain protection is nowhere near as good as the FJR. but I will now wear the rain gear I carry around. (rarely needed that on the FJR).
The adaptive Cruise control absolutely rocks on the highway. the integrated GPS on screen with Garmin Motorize app is great, although the connection schema is absurd and buggy. (needs Bluetooth, USB C cable AND wifi connection to the bike's wifi network).. Everytime I turn the bike off my bloodpressure rises as I try to get them all to communicate again. And then just when I've got it figured it out, Android updates some security weakness that breaks it all again.
But I love the bike, it is FUN AF. I don't think it will do 140...

Fred W · Dec 13, 2024

sidewinder said:
I won't replace my 2016 FJR for a Tracer. Lightweight sounds great, but I've been riding FJRs since 2008 and am used to the weight by now.
I did buy a GSA1250 two years ago and really like that bike. Its similar in some ways, but lots different on others. Thought I might sell the FJR, but I can't stop enjoying the FJR right now. I ride them both quite often.

Not sure if you are aware, but that GSA is covered under the new driveshaft replacement program by BMW. There has been a lot of the driveshaft u-joints disintegrating with pretty spectacular results (wheel locks up out of the blue) so now they are inspecting them routinely for free and also replacing them every 30k miles, also for free. No idea what the root cause is, and apparently neither do they, since they are signing on to replace them continually. The only downside to this recall is that you have to bring the bike in to a BMW shop for the service. They won’t just hand you a new driveshaft every 30k miles.

Tracer 9 GT as FJR Replacement?

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