2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 First Ride Review
The 2025 Tracer 9 brings Yamaha’s legendary CP3 triple to a versatile sport touring platform that’s now more affordable for the American market. It balances long-haul capability with the punchy, wheelie-prone heart of a naked bike.
- CP3 Engine Masterpiece: Torquey down low, still loves to rev, and always feels alive.
- Shockingly Light Steering: Precise and effortless turn-in makes it feel smaller than it looks.
- Best-in-Class TFT: Yamaha’s new 7-inch interface is fast, intuitive, and modern.
- Too-Firm Suspension: KYB setup transmits road chatter for a bike meant to tour.
- No Remote Preload: Rear preload adjust is a chore when adding luggage or a passenger.
- Awkward Peg Placement: Pegs sit right where your legs want to go at stops — constant minor annoyance.
Performance Highlights
On the road, the Tracer 9 is a sleeper. In Rain or Street, it’s a composed, friendly traveler. Click into Sport and the MT-09 roots show up immediately — it’s properly quick, and the front wheel is happy to head skyward in the first two gears.
The real surprise is the steering. It takes almost zero effort to flick through corners, and once you’re moving, it stops feeling like a “touring bike” entirely.
Note: The 40–80 pull was described as “happened fast,” completed in first gear.
Rider Experience & Tech
Ergonomics are mostly spot on for long days: upright with a slight forward lean, and a wide seat that tapers at the front so a 5'10" rider can flat-foot easily. The seat is on the firm side though, so a comfort seat could be worth it for big-mile trips.
Tech is a highlight. The 7-inch TFT is snappy and looks fantastic (even if the glass can be reflective in direct sun). You get cruise control and Yamaha’s “YRC” suite of rider aids like traction and slide control. Worth noting: to hit the new lower price, some premium “GT Plus” goodies aren’t standard this year (heated grips and quickshifter).
The Chase Score & Final Thoughts
With a Chase Score of 72/100, the Tracer 9 proves you don’t need to spend $16k to get a serious sport touring experience. By stripping away the radar cruise and electronic suspension of the previous GT Plus, Yamaha made the CP3 platform accessible to more riders. It’s practical enough for the commute, but still has enough soul to keep you entertained on the weekend.
The firm suspension is the main nitpick in an otherwise brilliant package.
Who it’s for: riders who want one bike to commute, tour, and still embarrass sportbikes in the canyons.
Who should skip: tech-junkies who must have radar cruise and semi-active suspension.