2022 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Review

Yamaha’s 2022 Tracer 9 GT ($14,999) is a middleweight-plus sport-touring bike that replaced the tuning-fork brand’s more budget-minded FJ-09 in 2021. The Tracer carries over to the 2022 model year with a slight $100 bump in MSRP.

Editor’s note: We reported on the Tracer 9 GT’s technical changes during the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT First Look Preview article. Also read the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT MC Commute Review article and video for another take from behind the windscreen.

The bike employs all the wonderful changes we saw on the ‘21 MT-09 naked, which we reviewed in our 2021 Yamaha MT-09 MC Commute Review and Yamaha Builds a Better Triumph - 2021 MT-09 Review articles and videos. It gets the bigger-capacity 890cc inline-three engine and the updated frame and chassis, and also benefits from a functional ergonomics package that makes it easy to live with it every day.

We love this streetbike’s inline-three engine. After twisting the throttle for a few hundred miles, it’s obvious Yamaha closely studied the Triumph’s formula when engineering this mill. It has gobs of torque (upward of 50 pound-feet from 2,600 revs), sounds awesome, gives great throttle response, and generally has a pleasing character. Overall, it’s smoother with much less engine vibration; a well-rounded powerplant.

In the suspension department, the Tracer 9 GT ditches the MT-09′s manual suspenders for a semi-active setup. This means the fork and shock automatically adjust damping force in real time based on rider control input and/or vehicle dynamics. The system is managed by an inertial measurement unit, or IMU, which gives this vehicle positional awareness on the road.

The Tracer 9 GT offers two suspension maps, a more aggressive setting (A1) and a more forgiving option (A2). This takes the guesswork out of making clicker adjustments. After all, most casual and commuting riders don’t want to mess with clickers. But the application is questionable. While it works well around town and gives pleasing compliance over bumps, when you’re getting aggressive in the turns the handling is a bit unglued and the bike is less composed than its naked sibling. In spite of the automation, the components aren’t as capable as a standard MT-09 during sport application. Yet, if you’re someone who never wants to mess with clickers and just wants the machine to do it for you, you’re going to like this suspension.

While the performance of the suspension is questionable, the ergonomics aren’t. This is a comfortable motorcycle to ride all day. We love the adjustable windshield, which is easily tweaked up or down with one hand. We also like the OE plastic fitted hand guards, which do a fine job of keeping your mitts warm in cooler temperatures. Heated grips with a large window of adjustment are another nice touch; when it’s chilly, you’re going to value this accoutrement.

Cruise control is another nice feature, though we wish you could engage it in the lower gears; as it is, the vehicle must be in fourth or higher gear to enable cruise. The factory-fitted hard luggage is handy and the lockable cases are easy to open and close. They’re also simple to remove and put back on the bike. Each case swallows nearly 8 gallons of gear and can accommodate some narrower full-size helmets.

When we rode after dark, the LED headlights did a nice job illuminating the road. Although they benefit from a cornering headlight function, the Tracer’s lights aren’t very effective through turns. Yamaha needs to revisit this application and boost the cornering headlamps on this model.

Electronics-wise, the Tracer 9 has all standard modern bells and whistles. Traction, slide, and wheelie control (which Yamaha calls lift control) are standard. But the user interface could be improved, especially the displays. Dual displays borrowed off an MT-09 look neat, and it’s cool that Yamaha is trying something different. But each individual screen is too small, and there’s also a lot of redundancy between them, so it’s wasted space.

The multifunction control wheel which debuted with the 2015 YZF-R1 is another gripe. While it was a functional improvement seven years ago, today it feels clunky, lacking the tactile precision of others in this segment. Still, it’s nice that Yamaha is trying something different with its split-screen setup.

Quirks aside, we do enjoy riding this motorcycle. It’s comfortable, has decent luggage capacity and nice creature comforts. However, its overall handling, especially in a more sporting environment, is just so-so. Which calls into question its lofty price.

Some would do better to buy a standard $9,500 MT-09 and fit a windscreen, heated grips, and some luggage. This would likely save a couple grand for a motorcycle with superior handling, if you like riding on twisty stretches of road. Then again, if you’re not going to carve a lot of curves, and you want a nice, cozy steed for going from point A to point B with a passenger and all your stuff in relative comfort, this $14,999 Tracer 9 GT might be what you’re looking for.

Gear Box

Helmet: Shoei RF-SR

Jacket: Rev’It Tornado 3

Pant: Rev’It Jackson RF

Gloves: Rev’It Sand 3

Boots: TCX Rush 2 Air

2022 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Technical Specifications and Price