Yamaha will offer its most sophisticated Tracer to date for 2023 with the new Tracer 9 GT+. The revised sport-touring machine gets numerous electronic upgrades augmenting engine, suspension, and braking performance along with a few creature comfort enhancements. As of this writing, Yamaha has no plans to release the 2023 model in the States; riders outside the USA can expect to see the machine in dealerships starting in May 2023.
Editor’s note: We test rode the standard Tracer 9 GT during the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT MC Commute Review, 2022 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Review, and 2022 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Long-Term Review articles and videos.
The 2023 Tracer 9 GT+ will be the first Yamaha motorcycle to come with Adaptive Cruise Control, a system that uses integrated wave radar to automatically determine distance between the bike and any vehicle ahead so it can modulate speed accordingly. The ACC is integrated with the engine, brakes, and electronic suspension, so it can optimize chassis stability when engine braking or brakes are activated.
The ACC system can be adjusted, so riders can choose their optimal following distance. ACC also has a cornering assist function, which restricts speed increases during cornering, and a passing assist function which opens up acceleration when the system detects an overtaking move.
Another first, not just for Yamaha but for motorcycling in general, is the radar-linked Unified Brake System. As with the ACC system, the UBS uses information from the onboard wave radar to determine if braking pressure is sufficient to avoid a collision. If braking inputs aren’t sufficient, the system will increase pressure on the front and rear brakes. The UBS system will also modulate braking force at the front and rear in order to optimize stability based on acceleration, deceleration, and lean angle information gathered by the bike’s IMU. The third benefit of the UBS system is cornering brake control, which limits tire slippage during braking maneuvers while in the turns. The UBS system is also linked to the electronic suspension so the two systems can ensure chassis stability. Riders will also have the option to switch off completely.
These cutting-edge systems will display all pertinent information on a new full-color 7-inch TFT instrument panel. Riders who connect their smartphones to the bike with Yamaha’s MyRide app will be able to use the Garmin Motorize app; this in turn will provide full-screen navigation on the TFT display, along with other useful bits of information such as the nearest fuel station, potential hazards ahead, fastest and shortest routes, and much more.
The quickshifter has been upgraded to integrate seamlessly with the new ACC system, as has the KYB semi-active suspension, now calibrated to work with both the ACC and UBS systems. Riding modes are improved to make the best use of information coming from the bike’s IMU and the handlebar switches have been updated to be more ergonomically comfortable.
Other updates include an improved rider’s seat, larger diameter rear brake disc, a new USB-A outlet, updated windscreen stays and new brake fluid reservoirs.
We took a spin on a Tracer 9 GT earlier this year and could see some room for improvement, particularly in the suspension department. It’s not clear if these updates will go very far in addressing those quirks, but ground-breaking tech like the ACC and UBS systems make the case for what’s likely to be a somewhat steep MSRP. Anxious to see the GT+ arrive Stateside? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com