Yamaha MT-09 Tracer ABS: simple review

Yamaha MT-09 Tracer ABS 3

Today, I rented a Yamaha MT-09 Tracer ABS and run about 200 km in Hakone (Japan), both in highway, traffic, and mountain. I have a positive opinion about this motorcycle, and I want to share my opinion with you.

First of all, this is how the motorcycle looks like. In the picture it looks small, but it is actually pretty big, compared to its sister in the background (Yamaha MT-07).

Yamaha MT-09 Tracer ABS 1The full specs are available on the official Yamaha website. I summarize the most important:

  • Engine: 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, 847 cm³
  • Maximum power: 84.6 kW (115PS) @ 10,000 rpm
  • Wet weight (including full oil and fuel tank): 210 kg

Yamaha MT-09 Tracer ABS 2The engine is pretty good. I like the sound of this 3 cylinders engine. It sounds like a typical Japanese 4-cylinders "screamer" engines, but the frequency is lower, at a given engine speed, due to 3 combustion events instead of 4.

The torque is present even at low rpm. But in my opinion, the weight is too much, and to be honest the seat was too high for me (I am 170 cm tall). My feet could hardly touch the ground.

The following video is the "sound check". I revved up the engine up to 7000-8000 rpm. The sound of this 3 cylinder screamer engine is so good.

The following video is also a sound check. The video was taken at Mazda Sky Lounge in Hakone. It was pretty cold, just 2 degrees Celsius. And it was even snowing.

In the following video, I am riding on the Tsubaki Line (Hakone). I could not ride very fast, because the road was slippery due to the rain and snow.

In conclusion, I am satisfied by this motorcycle, but if I have to be honest, I prefer the smaller sister with 2-cylinders inline engine (Yamaha MT-07). Even if the power of the MT-09 Tracer is higher, I think that, since the weight also is higher, the motorcycle handling becomes worse, especially at low speed. However, if you are looking for a good motorcycle to do touring, this Yamaha MT-09 Tracer is a good choice.

Author: Davide Cavaliere

I am an Italian Electrical Engineer graduated at Politecnico di Milano. My interests are motorcycles and cars, electronics, programming, Internet of Things, and Japanese culture.

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