The 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is an exciting, affordable addition to the middleweight sport-touring category.
Triumph has released an exciting new middleweight sport-tourer, the 2022 Tiger Sport 660. The new Tiger Sport will share the engine from the new Trident released earlier this year, and Triumph claims this is the first triple to make its way into the middleweight sport-touring segment.
Triumph sees the new model appealing to two groups of motorcyclists, newer riders moving up to a bigger bike, and veteran riders looking for a thrilling all-rounder. It says the new Tiger Sport has a narrow stand-over feel and the seat is on the low side at 32.8 inches, which should make it accessible to a broad range of riders in terms of height and experience.
Triumph hopes the new Tiger will attract rookie riders moving up to a first big bike and veteran riders looking for a thrilling all-rounder.
The 660cc triple-cylinder engine is designed to provide a broad torque band across a wide rev range and strong top-end horsepower.
The 660 Sport has a full-size windscreen that should be ideal for long-haul excursions, whereas the rest of the sleek design has a tall but sporty influence, including a stubby stainless-steel silencer. A slip/assist clutch should make for a slick work of the 6-speed gearbox and an up/down quickshifter is available as a factory option.
Sizable color-matched luggage and cast aluminum rack are optional.
Triumph says the 660 Sport has exceptional handling, and on paper at least, the bike appears to live up to the claim. The Sport is fitted with Showa’s lightweight 41mm separate function fork (SFF), where each fork leg performs a separate function, one side for damping and the other for spring, and at the rear, a Showa dual-rate monoshock is adjustable for preload. Claimed peak power is 80 horses at 8,750 rpm, 5% more than the V-Strom, and claimed peak torque is 47.2 lb-ft, on par with the Versys, and yet the Tiger Sport weighs 20 pounds less than either.
The Tiger Sport 660 has stats that promise sports performance, but the tall, adjustable screen, 4.7-gallon gas tank, integrated side case mounts, and pillion grab handles cater to riders looking to make longer excursions with or without a passenger. Side cases, with a combined capacity of 57 liters, and a 47-liter top box (and cast aluminum luggage rack) are available options and can be color-matched.
Integrated pillion grab-handles are fitted as standard, as are the mounts for attaching the optional side cases.
Braking is supplied by Nissin, 2-piston calipers on twin 310mm discs, with a single-piston rear caliper on a 255mm disc. Standard tires are Michelin Road 5, which promise versatility in riding conditions and styles. ABS is fitted as standard, and the brake lever is adjustable for reach.
Throttle-by-wire allows for two riding modes, Road and Rain, as well as switchable traction control. A small TFT color display is integrated into a larger LCD and shows all the key information, and allows for menu selections and connectivity. All-around LED lighting, self-canceling indicators, and key fob immobilizer are all standard.
A small, color TFT is integrated into a larger LCD.
Integrated side-case mounts leave a clean look when not in use.
The 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is available in three color schemes: Lucerne Blue & Sapphire Black, Graphite & Sapphire Black, or Korosi Red & Graphite (for an extra $125), which also comes with sporty graphics. The standard version has an MSRP of $9,295 and will be available in dealers starting in February 2022.
2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 Specs
Base Price: $9,295 Website:triumphmotorcycles.com Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, inline triple, DOHC w/ 4 vpc. Displacement: 660cc Bore x Stroke: 74 x 57.7mm Horsepower: 80 hp @ 8,750 rpm (claimed, at the crank) Torque: 47.2 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm (claimed, at the crank) Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch Final Drive: X-ring chain Wheelbase: 55.8 in. Rake/Trail: 23.7 degrees/3.8 in. Seat Height: 32.8 in. Wet Weight: 454 lbs. (claimed) Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gals.
Suzuki has released the successor to the GSX-S1000F, the new 2022 GSX-S1000GT and GT+ models.
We took a first look at Suzuki’s aggressively redesigned GSX-S1000 naked sportbike back in April, and rumors of a sport-touring variant have been amplifying ever since. Enter the new GSX-S1000GT, successor to the S1000F, with all the performance of the new S1000 on which it is based, and all the comfort and features expected from a long-haul tourer.
As with the new Hayabusa, the new GT model is fitted with Suzuki’s Intelligent Ride System (SIRS), which includes the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS), Traction Control, Ride by Wire Electronic Throttle, Bi-Directional Quick Shift, Suzuki Easy Start, and Low RPM Assist systems.
It is powered by a street tuned version of the GSX-R sportbike’s 999cc, in-line four-cylinder engine, which has been updated with a revised intake and exhaust camshafts, cam chain tensioners, valve springs, and redesigned clutch and gearshift components. Suzuki says the enhancements deliver a broader, more consistent torque curve while meeting Euro 5 emissions compliance standards.
The GSX-S1000GT also utilizes the S1000’s twin-spar aluminum frame and aluminum-alloy braced swingarm from the GSX-R1000. Fully adjustable KYB suspension, ABS-equipped radial-mount Brembo monoblock calipers biting 310mm floating rotors. A new trellis-style sub-frame creates secure attachment points for the 36-liter side cases and promises an improved passenger experience.
2022 GSX-S1000GT+ is equipped with integrated side-cases.
A new cast-aluminum, rubber-mounted handlebar provides a relaxed body position, coupled with rubber footpeg inserts for long-haul comfort. Rider and passenger seats benefit from a new sporty design maximizing comfort on long rides, and both seats sport a new cover material that balances grip with freedom of movement and integrates well with the new grab-bar design. Equipped with all-around LED lights, the distinctive horizontally arranged headlights match the latest Suzuki styling.
The GSX-S1000GT is equipped with a 6.5-inch, full-color TFT LCD screen set into the inner fairing above the handlebars for enhanced visibility and protection from debris. The brightness-adjustable TFT panel features a scratch-resistant surface and an anti-reflective coating and integrates with the SUZUKI mySPIN smartphone connectivity application. A USB outlet can also be used to connect and charge a smartphone.
The 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT will be available in two color schemes: Metallic Reflective Blue, and Glass Sparkle Black, each set off with distinctive GT logos. Manufacturers suggested pricing for both the GT and GT+ are yet to be announced.
Now in its third generation (and third name), the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT sport-tourer is better in every way. (Photo by Joe Agustin)
Over three generations, Yamaha’s middleweight sport-tourer has evolved steadily, and like a shapeshifter, it has morphed between three different model names. First came the 2015 FJ-09, then the 2019 Tracer 900 GT, and now the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT.
With each iteration, the FJ/Tracer has raised its game, with better performance, wider-ranging capabilities, and more features.
Here are our top 10 highlights of the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT:
1. That Triple!
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT gets the larger, lighter, more fuel efficient 890cc Triple from the MT-09.
In a world full of parallel-Twins, V-Twins and inline-Fours, an inline-Triple marches to a different drummer. It produces good low- to midrange torque as well as a top-end rush, and its sound is truly unique. The Tracer 9 GT gets the larger 890cc CP3 (Cross Plane 3-cylinder) Triple from the MT-09, which is lighter (by 3.7 pounds), more fuel efficient (by 9%), and more powerful (with 6% more peak torque).
Yamaha’s Y-CCT (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) throttle-by-wire setup now uses an APSG (Accelerator Position Sensor Grip) for a smoother connection between the loud handle and the rear wheel. Fueling issues that plagued the FJ-09 were mostly solved on the Tracer 900 GT, and the Tracer 9 GT feels even more refined. A 15% increase in crankshaft inertia further smooths out on/off throttle transitions.
Yamaha’s D-Mode, which adjusts throttle response and power, now has four preset modes: 1 (sharpest response, full power), 2 (standard response, full power), 3 (mild response, full power), and 4 (mildest response, reduced power). Mode 1 corresponds to what would be called “sport” mode on many motorcycles, which is often overly abrupt, but not so on the Tracer 9 GT. Throttle response is immediate without being harsh.
2. Curb weight is still around 500 pounds
The 2021 Tracer 9 GT’s lightness contributes to its agility.
Traditional sport-tourers like the Yamaha FJR1300, BMW R 1250 RT, and Kawasaki Concours 14 have curb weights well over 600 pounds. Yamaha’s claimed curb weight (without the saddlebags) is 485 pounds. When we tested the 2020 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT, it made 102 horsepower at the rear wheel. With the 43cc bump in displacement, the Tracer 9 GT probably makes 105-107 horsepower at the rear wheel.
While the Tracer 9 GT lacks the top-end rush of an open-class sport-tourer, its lighter weight makes it more responsive and agile. A new controlled-fill diecast aluminum frame is lighter and has 50% more lateral rigidity, further enhancing steering response.
3. It has the seating position of an ADV but the handling of a sport-tourer
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT could be classified as a “street adventure” bike or “crossover” because it blends ADV styling/seating with sport-touring street manners.
Greg’s Gear: Helmet:Scorpion EXO-R1 Air Jacket:Scorpion Optima Gloves: Scorpion Havoc Pants: Scorpion Covert Pro Jeans Boots:Sidi Gavia Gore-Tex
The Tracer 9 GT has an upright seating position that’s more akin to an adventure tourer than the sportier ergonomics on many sport-tourers. Being able to sit up straight with no weight on the rider’s wrists, relaxed shoulders, and ample legroom makes it enjoyable to pile on the miles, and that’s what a sport-tourer is all about. The one-hand-adjustable windscreen and handguards provide good wind protection too.
Unlike ADV bikes, the Tracer 9 GT has no off-road pretensions. It rolls on 17-inch wheels shod with excellent Bridgestone Battlax T32 GT sport-touring tires. Yamaha developed a new process called “spinforging” to make the 10-spoke aluminum wheels, which saves 1.5 pounds of unsprung weight and contributes to the Tracer 9 GT’s agile handling.
4. New semi-active suspension provides a magic-carpet ride
KYB semi-active suspension is a big upgrade on the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT. The fork uses a stroke sensor to detect position.
Semi-active suspension, where sensors on the fork, shock, and elsewhere on the bike provide input to a suspension control unit that adjusts damping in real time, has been around for a while. On the Tracer 9 GT, the KYB Actimatic Damping System (KADS) electronically adjusts compression and rebound damping in the fork and rebound damping in the rear shock, and there are two suspension modes: A-1 (sport) and A-2 (comfort). Spring preload must be adjusted manually using a tool for the fork (it’s in the toolkit) and a remote knob for the shock.
The rear shock uses an angular position sensor to detect position.
With 5.1/5.3 inches of front/rear suspension travel, the Tracer 9 GT has plenty of available stroke to absorb bumps, seams, potholes, and other pavement irregularities. By adapting to changing conditions, the KADS suspension delivers a supple, compliant ride and it quickly firms up as needed to prevent excessive chassis pitch under braking and acceleration. That keeps the tires in contact with the ground and further contributes to the Tracer 9 GT’s sure-footed handling.
5. Its R1-derived, IMU-enabled electronics are high tech
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT has a customizable IMU-enabled electronics suite derived from the R1.
The Tracer 900 GT was equipped with throttle-by-wire, multiple modes to adjust throttle response and power, multi-mode traction control, and ABS. In addition to its new semi-active suspension, the Tracer 9 GT has a more comprehensive suite of electronic rider aids derived from the YZF-R1 sportbike. Data from a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) informs traction control, slide control, lift control, and ABS, with intervention adapted to lean angle and other inputs. All of the electronics have multiple modes, and the only system that can’t be turned off is ABS, or Brake Control System (BC) in Yamaha’s parlance.
The IMU also provides input for new LED cornering lights, which illuminate the insides of cornering when lean angle exceeds 7 degrees.
6. It has cruise control, heated grips, and a quickshifter
Cruise control is actuated via a button and toggle on the left switchgear. A mode button on the front of the pod and the up/down toggle control menu functions.
These features were standard on the Tracer 900 GT, and all are appreciated. Cruise control works at speeds above 31 mph in 4th, 5th, and 6th gears, and set speed can be increased in 1-mph increments (with a short button press) or continuously (long press). In addition to upshifts, the quickshifter now provides clutchless downshifts with an auto-blipper. And the heated grips now offer 10 levels of adjustment.
The Tracer 9 GT has full LED lighting, a 12-volt outlet behind the instrument panel, and a centerstand, which helps with chain and tire maintenance as well as loading and unloading the saddlebags. At Yamaha’s claimed 49 mpg, its 5-gallon tank should yield a range of nearly 250 miles.
7. Larger saddlebags hold a full-face helmet in each side
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT has larger 30-liter saddlebags that will each hold a full-face helmet.
The saddlebags on the Tracer 900 GT held 22 liters each. Larger saddlebags on the Tracer 9 GT hold 30 liters each, which is large enough for a full-face helmet. The bags can be left unlocked for convenient access, locked for security, or removed to carry them into a hotel room or to lighten the load for apex strafing. The lock barrels can be a little fiddly (which has long been an issue with Yamaha luggage), but with practice they work just fine.
Yamaha also beefed up the subframe to allow an accessory top box (39 or 50 liters) to be mounted along with the saddlebags, rather than the either/or setup on the previous model.
8. I’m seeing double
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT has dual 3.5-inch TFT color displays. Info shown on the right display can be customized. Lever above the dash adjusts windscreen height.
Yamaha has given the Tracer 9 GT a unique dual-panel TFT display, with each screen measuring 3.5 inches. The speedometer, tachometer, gear indicator, and other functions are on the left panel. The right panel has a grid of four smaller displays that can be customized to show the rider’s preferred info, even if the information is also shown on the left panel.
The mostly white-on-black text is crisp and clear, but some of the text is small. The TFT panels have a glossy surface that reflects sunlight and can make the screens appear too dim (brightness is not adjustable). Depending on the position of the sun, sometimes all I could see was the reflection of my riding jacket.
9. Rider and passenger comfort are improved
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT has an upgraded rider/passenger seat. The rider’s seat height, handlebar position, and footpeg position are also adjustable.
Yamaha upgraded the rider’s seat with higher-quality cover material and added color-matched stitching. The dual-height rider’s seat can be set at 31.9 or 32.5 inches. To suit riders of different body types or preferences, the bars and footpegs can be adjusted. Rotating the bar-riser clamps allows the handlebar to be moved up 4mm and forward 9mm, and the footpeg brackets can be moved up 14mm and back 4mm. The passenger seat is now thicker and wider, and there’s a new integrated, one-piece grab handle.
10. It costs more, but it’s worth it
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is available in Liquid Metal (left) and Redline (right) for $14,899.
The Tracer 9 GT’s many upgrades have raised the price to $14,899, which is $1,900 more than last year’s Tracer 900 GT. For those who are cross-shopping, BMW’s F 900 XR (with Select and Premium Packages but no saddlebags) is $15,045 and Kawasaki’s Versys 1000 SE LT+ costs $18,199. More expensive, yes, but still competitively priced and no important features were left off the spec sheet. And the price is the same in either color, Liquid Metal with blue wheels or Redline with black wheels.
We’ll post our full review soon, so stay tuned! Scroll down for more photos….
2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Specs
Base Price: $14,899 Website:yamahamotorsports.com Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. Displacement: 890cc Bore x Stroke: 78.0mm x 62.1mm Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch Final Drive: Chain Wheelbase: 59.1 in. Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/4.3 in. Seat Height: 31.9/32.5 in. Wet Weight: 485 lbs. (claimed, does not include side cases) Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gals.
Triumph has now done the same with the first spin-off of its 660 platform, “the new Tiger Sport 660 that is set to bring triple engine performance advantages to the middleweight adventure sports category.” In the photos, the bike’s bodywork is camouflaged with black-and-white Triumph stickers that hide its exact lines, but there’s still plenty to draw from.
With its fairing and windscreen, the new 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 will be ready for sport-touring.
The Trident 660 is powered by a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 660cc inline Triple that makes 80 horsepower at 10,250 rpm and 47 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm (claimed), with 90% of peak torque on tap as low as 3,600 rpm. The engine in the Tiger Sport 660 looks exactly the same, down to the stubby exhaust exiting below the cast aluminum swingarm on the right side. Both share a tubular-steel frame.
The engine is derived from the 2013-2016 Triumph Street Triple 675, with a narrower 74mm bore and longer 51.1mm stroke yielding the lower displacement. It incorporates 67 new components, including a new crankshaft, piston design, and cam profiles.
If its inline Triple is unchanged from the Trident 660, then the Tiger Sport 660 will make 80 horsepower and 47 lb-ft of torque.
We can see that the Tiger Sport 660 has the same five-spoke, 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, Michelin Road 5 tires, Nissin triple-disc brakes with ABS, and Showa inverted fork as the Trident. On the Trident 660 the fork is non-adjustable, the Showa rear shock only offers preload adjustability, front/rear travel is 4.7/5.3 inches, and seat height is 31.7 inches. The Tiger Sport 660 doesn’t look appreciably taller, though it does have a different tailsection with integrated saddlebag mounts and a more deeply dished seat.
The most obvious difference between the Trident 660 and the Tiger Sport 660 is the latter’s front fairing and windscreen. The added wind protection, along with a possibly taller handlebar and optional hard luggage, will make the middleweight Tiger ready for sport-touring. Wet weight of the Trident is 417 pounds, and the Tiger’s fairing and windscreen are likely to add 20 pounds or so. Fuel capacity on the Trident 660 is 3.7 pounds; for sport-touring duty we expect to see a larger tank on the Tiger Sport, perhaps 4.5 gallons.
Saddlebag mounts are integrated into the Tiger Sport 660’s tailsection. Factory accessory hard luggage will make the bike more versatile for travel.
Priced at $8,195, the Triumph Trident 660 is within a few hundred dollars of its Japanese competitors and offers additional features like selectable ride modes, switchable traction control, and a TFT color display.
To cover the cost of the extra bodywork, the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is likely to be priced around $8,500-$9,000. That’s on par with what would likely be its closest competitor, the Suzuki V-Strom 650, which has a base price of $8,849 and is equipped with standard ABS and traction control (neither are switchable) but not a TFT display. With its 19-inch front wheel, the V-Strom 650 offers more off-road capability than the Tiger Sport 660. Both can be outfitted with factory accessory saddlebags.
Triumph-badged King Dick Tools chest not included. Nor is spotted dick.
Interestingly, 660 is same displacement used on the Aprilia RS 660, Tuono 660, and soon-to-be-released Tuareg 660., though they have parallel-Twins and the Trident and Tiger Sport have inline Triples. Aprilia took a more high-performance approach, squeezing 100 horsepower out of its engine and equipping the RS and Tuono with higher-spec components and electronics. As a result, they are priced higher – the RS 660 starts at $11,299 and the Tuono 660 starts at $10,499. With its off-road-ready spoked wheels with a 21-inch front and nearly 10 inches of suspension travel, the Tuareg 660 will compete head-to-head with the Yamaha Ténéré 700 ($9,999).
So, about a month from now we should get full technical details about the new-for-2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660. Stay tuned!
Father and son on the the Tail of the Dragon, Tennessee. (Above photo by 129photos.com; other photos by the author)
Dad’s first sojourn through the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia needed to be grand. Dad is a desert dweller from southern Arizona and has never ridden east of Texas. We agreed on a short list of must-haves: Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Tail of the Dragon. Everything else – the fall foliage, the swollen creeks and runs, the rural country roads, the morning fog – would be an added bonus.
There would also be pancakes. Lots of pancakes.
We picked up Dad’s Triumph Tiger Explorer at a motorcycle dealership in northern Virginia, where he had it shipped from Arizona. We rode south and entered the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Lynchburg. The parkway is aptly named, with smooth, graceful curves, well-manicured roadsides, and plenty of parking areas to admire the view. A word to the wise, as I learned as point man: pay attention to mile markers. I missed the country road that the kind ladies at Explore Park said would lead us to Mount Airy, North Carolina, our first stop for the night and the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith.
Lush valleys provide a stunning backdrop to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia.
Dad’s Explorer has heated grips and a larger fairing than my Triumph Sprint GT, so he was better prepared for the chilly 40-degree temperatures during our ride. For most of the morning, we enjoyed relative seclusion, clear skies, autumn colors, and beautiful farm country. In one short span, the view of the valley below on my left was stolen by a patch of trees and granite outcroppings only to be returned over my right shoulder. It was a literal tennis match of competing landscapes – valleys of farm country on one side and ridgelines stretching to the horizon on the other.
Traffic increased the farther south we traveled, and overflowing pullouts often prevented us from stopping, so, we leaned back and enjoyed the ride. We left the parkway at Asheville, having decided on Maggie Valley for our overnight stay.
The author’s father posing with their motorcycles on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A steady downpour and tornado warnings nixed riding the second day, so we covered the bikes and took a taxi to Wheels Through Time. While walking through the museum – home to more than 300 interesting and rare motorcycles – Dad shared stories of his older brother’s 1950 Harley Panhead and their shenanigans on it back on the farm in Iowa. One involved the bike, loaded with three riders, being chased by a dog that gave up the hunt after my uncle retarded the spark for a spectacular backfire. Dad hunted the base of many a cylinder barrel, searching for a stamp that would identify the same year as his brother’s, but to no avail.
Tourist traffic in the lush Great Smoky Mountains National Park slowed our progress. We found a place to park the bikes at Newfound Gap, a 5,049-foot pass on U.S. Route 441, allowing us to stretch our legs. Traffic in the park paled in comparison to the carnival of tourism we saw in Gatlinburg, where we found the Little House of Pancakes.
Dad tucked into a stack of blueberry pancakes, and I gorged on sweet-and-spicy apple pancakes. Between bites – and doing our best not to drip syrup on our map – we sketched out an alternate route back to Maggie Valley. We tested our pioneering skills on Tennessee State Route 32 in search of secluded switchbacks. Any concern about traffic was dispelled by a large red diamond-shaped sign that warned “Do Not Enter, Your GPS is Wrong” a few miles into the alternate route.
Littered with wet leaves and twigs from the previous day’s storms, Route 32’s pucker factor was off the scale, especially when I felt the front wheel push over some wet leaves at the apex of a turn. I rarely engaged 3rd gear after that. Pavement turned to hard gravel at Davenport Gap, where we crossed back into North Carolina on Mount Sterling Road. We found blacktop again at Waterville Road along Big Creek, and after a few miles, under cavernous trees and crags, we came upon Interstate 40 and our path back to Maggie Valley.
Compared to Route 32, the Tail of the Dragon’s 318 curves in 11 miles were not as technical, nor as precarious. The roads in this part of Tennessee, which arc around the southern side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, plunge into valleys, rise to bluffs overlooking man-made lakes and hydroelectric dams, and hug the steep sides of tree-blanketed mountains. After a full day of Appalachian curves, we stopped for the night in Middlesboro, Kentucky, just a stone’s throw west of Cumberland Gap.
Another sweeping view along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
With our bellies full of pancakes, we rode east on U.S. Route 58 through southwestern Virginia under crisp, blue autumn skies, with ridgelines on our left marking the border with Kentucky. We continued northeast on U.S. Route 19 for our next overnight in Princeton, West Virginia, and we awoke the next morning to find frost on our bikes. Despite the cold, the scenery from Princeton to Elkins on U.S. Route 219 was a moving feast of fields, pastures, valleys, woodland, creeks, rivers, and quaint towns.
This route map is available on the REVER app in the Rider Magazine community.
A section of U.S. 219 we traveled along is known as Seneca Trail. A pleasant surprise around one bend was Indian Creek Covered Bridge, which was completed in 1903 at a cost of $400. The rest of the morning was spent passing farm after farm, including writer Pearl S. Buck’s birthplace in Hillsboro, West Virginia. For pancakes, we recommend Greenbrier Grille and Lodge, overlooking its namesake river in Marlinton.
Our last day involved riding from valley to ridge to valley. We followed curves along various creeks and branches of the Potomac River that snaked their way through the Appalachians. Eventually we had to leave the winding roads behind and hop on Interstate 66 to complete our multi-day loop. For Dad’s first ride east of the Mississippi, he was proud to see his tripmeter roll over 1,504 memorable miles.
The Indian Creek Covered Bridge on West Virginia Route 219.
The new Tuono V4 Factory is still an out-and-out hypernaked sport-bike, with upgraded suspension and new electronics. (Photos by Larry Chen Photo)
It was a glorious morning in Pasadena, California, and the huge windows overlooking historic Colorado Boulevard bathed Aprilia’s Advanced Design Center office in natural light. Miguel Galluzzi, whom many credit with saving Ducati when he designed the groundbreaking and immensely popular Monster, sat impassively as the room filled with journalists. Galluzzi is also the designer responsible for Aprilia’s RSV4 and Tuono V4 models, which take full advantage of the extremely compact and powerful 1,077cc V4 engine.
Galluzzi explained that the Advanced Design Center allows his team to sit at the heart of the North American market, where proximity to a diverse group of riders and their viewpoints can be fed directly into their design process, fresh and unfiltered. The latest CAD technology and 3D printing allow design ideas inspired by feedback, coupled with cutting-edge advances trickling down from Aprilia’s factory racing team, to be prototyped and tested more efficiently than ever.
The two models – Tuono V4 Factory on left, Tuono V4 on right – are almost identical on paper, but offer different experiences.
The result, we are told, are the most advanced Tuono models yet, a combination of incremental updates designed to improve handling and accommodate a broad spectrum of riders’ needs. The V4 engine is now Euro 5 compliant, and with some tweaking Aprilia has managed to match the outgoing model’s performance. Claimed peak horsepower is 175 at 11,350 rpm and maximum torque is 89 lb-ft at 9,000 rpm.
Influences from the racetrack include a redesigned fairing with integrated winglets and enhanced geometry to improve handling at the limits, as well as a new inverted swingarm designed to improve traction at the rear wheel. The updated seat is wider, longer, and surprisingly comfortable. A new sculpted fuel tank looks gorgeous and maintains the same 4.9-gallon capacity. The Tuono V4 gets an improved 5-inch TFT dash and new switchgear. The headlight array features the triple LED headlight and a DRL configuration common to the rest of the Tuono line, with the addition of cornering lights.
The Tuono V4 is designed to take you further, with all the thrills, added comfort, and even luggage, if required.
Despite being nearly identical on paper, the new Tuono V4 models are quite different in terms of experience. Track rats will be happy to hear that the V4 Factory model is still an out-and-out naked maniac, and is the more expensive, track-focused of the two. The street-focused Tuono V4 represents a new direction, designed to go places carrying more than just a rider and a bare minimum of gear.
The Factory version is now fitted with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and a new Magneti Marelli ECU, controlling fueling and a full suite of electronics. Four times faster than the previous ECU and fully integrated via ride-by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU, the new setup promises more precise and programable handling for road and track. There are three preset and three track-oriented, user-programmable riding modes, and a host of adjustable rider aids, including traction control, wheelie control, launch control, engine mapping, engine braking, cornering ABS, cruise control, and an up/down quickshifter.
The Tuono V4 is billed as a naked, but a minimalist fairing now incorporates racing inspired winglets.
Siting astride the Factory, it feels much more compact than might be expected from a liter bike. The body position is definitely sporty, but the wide bars and seat feel roomy, even for my 6-foot 2-inch stature. Setting off in Tour mode, within the first few miles the V4 Factory somehow feels familiar. Even on the highway leading us to the twisty mountain roads, it is impossible to completely open the throttle for more than a moment before running out of road, and any true test of the Factory model would require a racetrack.
Throttle response is immediate but initial ham-fistedness is miraculously smoothed out before I can get myself into trouble and I throw the Tuono into the turns with some confidence. Steering is light yet purposeful and exact, the front wheel holding its line despite less-than-perfect surface conditions. A single pop on the downshift raises a smile, and ballistic acceleration on corner exits, accompanied by one of the most fantastic, raspy exhaust notes ever to erupt from a stock can, leaves me grinning like an idiot.
The Tuono V4 Factory is nimble and precise, even on less than perfect roads.
The Factory is fitted with Brembo’s M50 monoblock front calipers, which offer progressive feel and no want of braking capability. With my knees firmly pocketed in the sculpted tank I can keep my weight off the bars, gripping the bike with less effort, and lean into corners with a connected conviction. The V4 Factory’s comfort and ergonomics compare quite well to rivals like the KTM 1290 Super Duke R and Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS, yet its sportbike credentials remain intact.
The standard Tuono V4 feels similar. Slightly raised handlebars make for a less aggressive stance. Despite lower pillion pegs, the rider’s footpegs are identically placed on both models, providing plenty of clearance but also a potential source of fatigue over long distances. A slightly larger fly screen and upper fairing, a practical pillion seat, grab handles, and optional luggage all make for a hyper-naked sport-tourer, with a heavy emphasis on sport.
Performance is identical to the Factory model, and the standard model will make a capable track-day machine if required. Its taller top gear makes for comfortable, economical highway cruising, as you make your way to the next winding backroad. The standard comes equipped with fully adjustable Sachs suspension, front and rear, but on the road, its handling is fairly close to that of the Factory.
The new Tuono V4 and Tuono V4 Factory are intoxicating motorcycles. They offer astounding power in a compact, lightweight chassis that is exhilarating. And yet, thanks to its suite of adjustable electronics, they are both rewarding and manageable. And one can never forget – or grow tired of – the machine-gun salute connected to your right wrist. While the Factory will keep the Tuono faithful satisfied, the standard model will open up the Tuono range to a host of new riders, who, like me, actually want to go places and bring more than just our wallet and smartphone.
The new Tuono has a broader appeal. Track enthusiasts will love the factory for its suspension and formidable array of programable settings, while sports riders who like to cover miles can now add the Tuono V4 to their list of possibilities.
2021 Tuono V4 / Tuono V4 Factory Specs
Base Price: $15,999 / $19,499 Website:aprilia.com Engine Type: Liquid cooled, transverse 65-degree V-4, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. Displacement: 1,077cc Bore x Stroke: 81.0 x 52.3mm Horsepower: 175 @ 11,000 rpm (claimed, at crank) Torque: 89 lb-ft @ 9,000 rpm (claimed, at crank) Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch Final Drive: X-ring chain Wheelbase: 57.1 in. Rake/Trail: 24.8 degrees/3.9 in. Seat Height: 32.5 in. Wet Weight: 461 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 4.9 gals.
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT – Finished in Liquid Metal
Now in its third generation, Yamaha’s middleweight sport-tourer — now called the Tracer 9 GT — is new from the ground up. It has a larger, more powerful engine, a new frame, and a state-of-the-art electronics package that includes semi-active suspension. With these updates comes a higher price, with MSRP now $14,899.
The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT – Finished in Redline
As the platform has evolved so has its name, starting with the original FJ-09 in 2015 and continuing with the Tracer 900 GT in 2019. For the latest update, the Tracer 9 GT gets a lightweight aluminum frame made using the latest casting technology to strategically reduce bulk. Like its predecessors, the new Tracer uses the inline triple from the MT-09, which is lighter, more fuel-efficient, and complies with Euro 5 emissions standards. An increase in displacement (890cc, up from 847cc) should yield more power and torque, though Yamaha does not quote figures. D-Mode now offers four presets for varying throttle response and power. The 6-speed transmission has an assist-and-slipper clutch and a new quickshifter.
Yamaha Tracer 900 GT – Side cases come standard
The focus on weight reduction continues to the longer, lighter, and stiffer swingarm, resulting in a slightly increased wheelbase, which should improve stability and traction, and new forged aluminum wheels also reduce unsprung mass for improved handling. Curb weight has been reduced by 18 pounds to a very reasonable 485 pounds.
The Tracer 9 GT gets a new lightweight aluminum frame and a newly designed engine.
The use of new technology wasn’t limited to design and development. The new Tracer 9 GT is fitted with an integrated electronic control package, enabling Yamaha to incorporate a number of new features. This includes a 6-axis IMU that continually feeds data to the new KYB semi-active suspension, which electronically adjusts rebound and compression damping in the fork and rebound in the rear shock in real-time to suit the terrain and conditions. It also stabilizes the chassis under braking and acceleration and offers two modes (Sport and Comfort).
The new Tracer GT gets KYB semi-active suspension
The IMU also feeds data to the new rider aids which can be adjusted to preference or completely turned off, these include lean angle-sensitive traction control, slide control, wheelie control, and cornering lights. The ABS is newly equipped with a brake control system, and riders can choose between two levels of intervention. Yamaha’s YCC-T throttle-by-wire system now includes Accelerator Position Sensor Grip (ASPG), which uses a sensor and a magnet to detect throttle opening and send corresponding signals to the throttle valves. ASPG uses a spring, slider, and gear to produce variable resistance to the grip creating a natural throttle feel. An additional D-Mode has been added providing four preset running modes that adjust throttle response and power. Cruise control and heated grips are standard.
The tracer 900 GT is equipped with two 3.5-inch TFT displays
As with the previous model, dual 298 mm discs provide the bulk of the stopping power, now with the addition of a new radial Nissin master cylinder, which promises a more linear supply of hydraulic pressure for excellent controllability.
The 2021 Tracer 900 GT is fitted with full LED and cornering light system.
Riders of various sizes will appreciate the Tracer 9 GT’s new adjustable footpegs, which along with the dual-height seat and adjustable handlebar on the previous model allow ergonomics to be customized.
With cruise control, a large windscreen, and standard hard saddlebags, the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is ready to hit the road. It’s available in Liquid Metal or Redline for $14,899, and it’s in dealerships now.
2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Specs
Base Price: $14,899 Website: yamahamotorsports.com Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline 3-cylinder w/ 4 valves per cyl. Displacement: 890cc Bore x Stroke: 78.0mm x 62.1mm Transmission: 6-speed; multiplate assist and slipper clutch Final Drive: Chain Wheelbase: 59.1 in. Rake/Trail: 25.0 degrees/4.3 in. Seat Height: 31.9/32.5 in. Wet Weight: 485 lbs. (claimed, does not include side cases) Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gals.
“Ride Along the Riverside: Sport Touring in Western New England” first appeared in the June 2020 issue of Rider Magazine.
Story and photography by: Scott A. Williams.
Roads that curve along a river are among my favorites to explore on two wheels, and western New England has them in abundance. The hilly terrain and seasonal climate promote the formation of rivers, and for millennia people have used rivers and land along their banks to get from place to place. River roads, particularly the smaller and less traveled ones, often follow the same basic path they did before motorized travel, and the best ones are a roller-coaster ride for motorcyclists.
If you like to move right along and keep stops brief, this 300-mile route through western Massachusetts and southern Vermont delivers a full day of curvy two-lane entertainment. If you prefer a moderate pace and relaxing along the way, there are ample opportunities to enjoy views, savor local cuisine and visit small New England towns. One of southern Vermont’s ski towns will have amenities you need for an enjoyable night on the road.
This route begins and ends in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. I roll north onto State Route 116, one of the Bay State’s official scenic byways, and within a couple miles it curves to follow the Mill River and then the South River. The tar is fresh so my grin stretches even wider than the last time I motored through here. Just as my mirrors reveal the sun peeking above the hills, I come upon a pasture of Holstein cows whose interest is piqued by the approaching pulse of my BMW’s boxer twin. I pull over briefly to bid the bovine ladies good morning.
Not eager to meet early-rising constabulary, I roll off the throttle coming down the hill into the center of Conway. These days this quaint village is known for the annual Festival of the Hills, but once it was a thriving mill town. In 1767, Caleb Sharp’s Gristmill was Conway’s first waterpowered mill. A series of dams managed water from the South River to power mills that ground corn and flax, sawed lumber, spun cotton and fulled wool. The unreliable nature of waterpower was compounded by cycles of drought and flood, so mill owners gradually upgraded from waterpower to coal-fueled steam power as the 1800s progressed.
After another snaking stretch of Route 116 to Ashfield, a right on Baptist Corner Road leads me to a pair of grazing horses that catch my attention for their brightly colored fly masks. I don’t want to spook them so I slow down. The curious chestnut mare nickers my way and shakes. Farther along I pass a hillside farm where row upon row of neatly shaped evergreens await a Christmas yet-to-come.
The center of Conway is no metropolis, but it does have fuel and eats at Baker’s Country Store.
It adds a few miles, but it’s fun crossing the Deerfield River on Bardwell’s Ferry Bridge, just to hear the clomp of rubber tires on the wooden deck. At Shelburne Falls I point north on State Route 112 and follow the North River, then at Adamsville Road I turn left to follow the North River’s West Branch. Many rivers in these parts break into two or even three branches that converge again downstream. At State Route 8A, I hang a left and savor another great winding road. It soon parallels Mill Brook and carries me across the Bissel Covered Bridge to the village of Charlemont.
Heading west, the Mohawk Trail (State Route 2) follows the Deerfield River and then the Cold River. Originally, the Mohawk Trail was a Native American footpath that connected the Connecticut and Hudson River Valleys. This section through the Mohawk Trail State Forest to the town of Florida includes some of the state’s most beautiful river scenery. The road gains elevation as it carves along the cliffside, but a right turn on Whitcomb Hill Road quickly gives it all back, heading steeply down toward the Deerfield River.
The route turns left onto River Road and hugs the Deerfield. Just upstream, this river once was a source of cooling water for the Yankee Rowe Atomic Electricity Company. The nuclear plant, hidden from view in the woods, closed in 1992 and was decommissioned. Now on warm weather weekends, the river is frequently packed with tubers, canoeists and rafters enjoying the current, which is helped along by scheduled dam releases upstream.
The Conway Covered Bridge spans the South River in the village of Burkeville, Massachusetts. Built in 1871 and restored in 2005, it’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
River Road becomes Readsboro Road and at the Vermont border it becomes Tunnel Street. Such renaming of a continuing stretch of asphalt is not uncommon in New England, especially on back roads. In Readsboro, I go left on Vermont State Route 100 South, which, in this stretch, actually points northwest. This heading keeps me on the Deerfield River’s West Branch to the junction with State Route 8, where a right puts me on another curvy gem to Searsburg.
Turning right on State Route 9 offers sweepers to Wilmington where I reconnect with Route 100. Here 100 is sign-posted north and actually goes that way. It’s one of Vermont’s best-known scenic roads, curving with the Deerfield River’s North Branch to Dover and then Blue Brook, past the Mount Snow ski resort and through the Green Mountains National Forest. This road can get crowded in summer and during fall foliage season, but today, in early September, it’s practically empty. At a lay-by along slow-flowing Blue Brook, I enjoy the sandwich I packed.
Row upon row of evergreens line this hillside at Cranston’s Christmas Tree Farm in Ashfield, Massachusetts.
Route 100 winds its way north through Jamaica and Rawsonville to South Londonderry. There I turn sharply right onto Main Street, then left on Thompsonburg Road along a stream, up toward Magic Mountain ski area. A right on State Route 11 takes me over to State Route 121, which meanders with the Saxtons River. In Grafton I turn right onto Townshend Road, which becomes Grafton Road in Townshend. This asphalt ribbon runs along the Saxtons River’s South Branch.
Now a right onto State Route 35 has me running south. The tree cover is so dense I can’t see the Mill Brook that my GPS assures me is flowing just to my left. At Townshend I make my way to State Route 30. Scores of cars, pickups and SUVs parked on the shoulders are evidence of the West River’s popularity as a warm weather recreation destination.
Hay windrows dry in the early morning sun in this field in Conway, Massachusetts.
Beyond Townshend Dam I stop for a break in the quintessential Vermont village of Newfane, which has opportunities to experience Vermont’s interesting history and often-curious culture.
On West Street I roll up to the celebrated Four Columns Inn, where a classic car is frequently displayed on the front lawn. Today it’s a 1955 Nash Rambler Greenbrier two-door station wagon in two-tone green. Nash was arguably the first American manufacturer of the post-war era to make compact cars, bucking the bigger-is-better trend, so this beautifully preserved albeit humble antique is a significant automobile.
West of Charlemont, Massachusetts, the Deerfield River flows along the Mohawk Trail. Originally, the Mohawk Trail was a Native American footpath that connected the Connecticut and Hudson River Valleys.
Only a few steps to the south, and continuing Vermont’s characteristic white-clapboard architecture, are the First Congregational Church and the Union Hall. Originally built as a church in 1832, the Union Hall in 1872 became a site for community events including plays, dances, movies and that time-honored method of democratic local government, the town meeting.
After this brief and worthwhile respite, I continue south on 30. Just before Williamsville, I lean west toward Dover along the Rock River down to Route 100 south and all the way to Jacksonville. There, I bear left onto State Route 112, which runs south along the North River back into Massachusetts, through Colrain and Shattuckville to the Mohawk Trail.
Union Hall, First Congregational Church and Four Columns Inn, on the Village Green in Newfane, Vermont.
Again, I find myself heading west along Massachusetts Route 2 and the Deerfield River, back to Charlemont. This time I turn south on 8A, cross the Deerfield River, and then follow the Chickley River through Hawley to State Route 116. There I turn right (north) and in a few miles cut hard left onto River Road, which parallels the Westfield River along the edge of Windsor State Forest.
At State Route 9, I turn right and then left onto Worthington Road, which becomes Cole Street and then East Windsor Road. By cutting right onto State Route 143, another River Road soon emerges, this one curving with the Westfield River’s Middle Branch all the way to Skyline Trail in Chester. Continuing to Huntington, a left onto State Route 112 north follows the Westfield River then the Little River to Worthington. A ways on Route 112 makes a hard right turn at an intersection with Trouble Road. (I haven’t been looking for trouble, but I find it anyway.)
Union Hall, First Congregational Church and Four Columns Inn, on the Village Green in Newfane, Vermont.
In Cummington, 112 overlaps 9, the Berkshire Trail, which closely follows Meadow Brook and the Swift River, then past Goshen and the Mill River’s West Branch. I roll off approaching the village of Williamsburg. In the center, I turn left onto North Road, which becomes Ashfield Williamsburg Valley Road, then Ashfield Road, then South Ashfield Road, and then Williamsburg Road (because…New England) along the Mill River’s East Branch. South of Ashfield, this pleasantly winding road with so many names ends at Route 116. This is the same stretch of 116 that started my ride. Bonus—it’s a hoot in both directions!
Of course there are other New England river roads that aren’t part of this route but definitely worth your time (see sidebar). Wherever you find such roads, take a ride along the riverside.
More favorite river roads in New England:
VT 102 curves with the Connecticut River from Canaan to Guild Hall, Vermont.
NH 16 follows the Androscoggin River and then Bear Brook from Berlin to Errol, New Hampshire.
NH 13 snakes along the Piscataquoag River’s South Branch from Goffstown to New Boston, New Hampshire.
U.S. 5 gently winds along scenic stretches of the Connecticut River, especially between Barnet and Norwich, Vermont, and again between Ascutney and Rockingham, Vermont.
MA 8 twists alongside the Farmington River’s West Branch from New Boston to West Becket, Massachusetts.
U.S. 7 hugs the banks of the Housatonic River between Falls Village and New Milford, Connecticut.
East River Road in North Chester, Massachusetts, closely follows the Westfield River’s Middle Branch.
Ready for some fun riding? The Yamaha Tracer 900 GT and BMW F 900 XR combine the useful power of table-flat torque curves with mostly upright, comfortable seating and good wind protection, suspension, brakes and handling. Photo Credit: Kevin Wing.
The 2020 BMW F 900 XR vs. Yamaha Tracer 900 GT Comparison Test was originally published in the June 2020 issue of Rider Magazine.
Motorcycles that start out as naked or standard models often inspire their manufacturers to build a complementary touring, sport-touring or sport-adventure version before very long. The Honda Gold Wing’s lineage is probably the most familiar example, but I could cite countless others from the mid-1970s to the present day. Attracting more and new customers is the objective of every motorcycle design, so whether going the touring route with a standard bike is to aim a not-so-successful model in a potentially better direction, or it’s to simply expand the fan base for a successful bike to include long-distance riders, the goal is the same.
Such is the case with the two motorcycles we’re comparing here, the new BMW F 900 XR and recently updated Yamaha Tracer 900 GT. Both are based on naked bikes, one also new—the BMW F 900 R—and one that has been a top seller in Yamaha’s lineup since 2013, the MT-09, formerly known as the FZ-09. Although BMW calls the F 900 XR a sport-adventure machine and Yamaha parks the Tracer 900 GT in its sport-touring category, their prices, displacements, semi-fairings, windscreens and mostly upright seating positions make these two bikes quite comparable. In fact, BMW considers the Tracer 900 base model a core competitor for its F 900 XR; we’re pitting it against the fully equipped 2020 Tracer 900 GT because the Tracer 900 hasn’t yet returned as a 2020 model.
Although the base model F 900 XR is priced well below the Tracer 900 GT, much of the Yamaha’s standard equipment—heated grips, centerstand, saddlebags and more—is optional on the BMW.
You can find in-depth tech details on both the BMW and Yamaha in their individual road tests—the Tracer 900 GT was revamped for 2019, and there’s a full review of it in the October 2019 issue and on our website. You can also find my review of the new F 900 R and XR online and in the May 2020 issue. Like their F 800 R predecessor, these new 900s fill the need for lower-cost twins in the BMW lineup, now with more power from a larger transverse, parallel cylinder 895cc engine and better feel and sound thanks to a new 90-degree offset crank, 270/450-degree firing interval and more effective counterbalancer. The $8,995 F 900 R is the naked/sport roadster, and for an additional $2,700 the F 900 XR adds a semi-fairing with a windscreen and lowers, a taller, wider handlebar, more suspension travel and ground clearance, and lower footpegs. It also has more fuel capacity than the R for sport-adventure riding. Traction control, ABS and two ride modes—Road and Rain—are standard, and you can plug in an optional Ride Modes Pro dongle that enables two more as well as cornering ABS, Dynamic Traction Control and more.
Introduced for 2015 as the FJ-09, the Yamaha Tracer brought sport-touring amenities to the bare-knuckled FZ-09, such as a more upright seating position, a more comfortable, adjustable seat, a semi-fairing with adjustable windscreen and hand guards. Its transverse, in-line 847cc Crossplane triple (CP3) has been a ripper from the start, with a 120-degree crank and counterbalancer that tames much of the vibes. As on the BMW, throttle-by-wire enables electronic features like three riding modes and dual-mode traction control, and the Yamaha’s TBW has been refined several times over the years to smoothen throttle response. For an extra $2,300 over the $10,699 (2019) Tracer 900, the 2020 Tracer 900 GT adds hard locking saddlebags, cruise control, a quickshifter for upshifts, heated grips and a full-color TFT display. The GT received an extensive makeover for 2019, including new bodywork, upgraded suspension, a taller windscreen, comfier seats and a longer swingarm.
Extra-long footpeg feelers on the Yamaha touch down in corners well before any hard parts like the centerstand or exhaust.
Aft of their functional semi-fairings and adjustable windscreens, the BMW twin and Yamaha triple also share 17-inch cast wheel and tire sizes, triple disc brakes with opposed 4-piston radial-mount calipers up front, chain final drive and 6-speed transmissions with slipper clutches (the Yamaha’s also has an assist function). Both have full-color TFT instrument displays, and even though navigating the BMW’s is harder to figure out, it’s much larger and is like watching 4K TV compared to the Yamaha’s small blocky screen. While the F 900 XR is priced substantially lower than the Tracer 900 GT, many of the Yamaha’s standard features like saddlebags, cruise control, heated grips, centerstand and more are optional on the BMW.
Although both bikes have relatively upright seating positions that are comfortable for extended hours in the saddle, the BMW’s wide handlebar is lower and its footpegs higher than the Yamaha’s, cramping the rider a bit more, particularly if you’re taller. The shape of the BMW’s non-adjustable seat also locks you into one position rather than letting you move around, and therefore feels higher than the Yamaha’s in its low position, despite their claimed seat heights. We installed the optional taller windscreen on the F 900 XR to even it up with the Tracer 900 GT, and as a result wind protection is pretty good on both due to their effective screens and fairing lowers. While the F 900 XR feels sportier and more aggressive, overall the Tracer 900 GT is the more comfortable of the two for sport touring, with roomier seating, a taller handlebar and more comfortable seat. Passengers also liked it better for two-up riding, since the seat is softer and roomier than the BMW’s and its grab rails are an easier reach.
Swooping bodywork and swingarm, longish suspension travel and 17-inch wheels give the Tracer 900 GT a beautifully aggressive look that belies its sport-touring comfort.
The BMW earns the adventure part of its sport-adventure description because it has nearly 7 inches of suspension travel front and rear and ample ground clearance, but with 17-inch wheels at each end I’d keep it well away from the dirt and just enjoy the extra travel on bumpy roads. Its additional ground clearance comes in handy when riding over ruts, low curbs and such, where we bashed the Yamaha’s low-slung underbelly more than once. Good suspension calibration on both bikes matches them up quite closely in corners. The BMW’s non-adjustable 43mm USD fork is stouter overall and more stiffly sprung compared to the Yamaha’s 41mm unit, though the latter is fully adjustable and can be stiffened up for sport riding quite well if that’s your preference. Remote spring preload and rebound damping adjustment are common to both in back, and aside from the BMW’s remote knob being difficult to use, rear suspension is comparably good. Although the Yamaha’s brakes are more than up to the task, its front brake lever needs more bite, while the BMW has good linear feel and a solid bite at the lever combined with an easily modulated pedal. Its stock Michelin Road 5 tires also offer better feel overall than the Dunlop Sportmax D222 OE rubber on the Tracer 900 GT, which we would replace right out of the gate with Dunlop’s premium Roadsmart IIIs.
Both bikes have top-notch suspension that helps them dance through bumpy corners, including USD forks and single shocks with adjustable rebound damping and remote preload adjusters.
On the dynamometer the Tracer 900 GT’s triple bests the F 900 XR’s twin in horsepower output, and the XR’s 20-pound weight advantage isn’t enough to give it an edge in a top-speed contest. But the two bikes are pretty closely matched in the torque department where it really matters for day-in, day-out sport touring and commuting. Both offer impressive grunt for slicing through corners without much shifting, accelerating hard from a stop or picking off a slow-moving car or truck with a quick pass. The BMW twin-cylinder’s rumble and the Yamaha triple’s velvet growl give each plenty of character and great sound, though neither has completely tamed some high-frequency vibration that buzzes through the grips enough to be noticeable much of the time, particularly on the Yamaha. Both require premium fuel and return similar fuel economy, though the Yamaha has more range thanks to its larger 4.8-gallon tank versus the BMW’s 4.1. Given their similarity elsewhere we’d pick the Yamaha’s engine simply for its extra power and longer valve inspection intervals.
Once you start bolting accessories onto the BMW that are standard on the Yamaha, the F 900 XR’s price and weight advantage quickly melts away, which leaves us with the Tracer 900 GT as the winner of this comparo. In addition to offering more power, comfort, fuel capacity and lower maintenance costs, with the exception of its tiny TFT display the Yamaha is the better bike and value for sport riding, touring and everything in between.
Both of these bikes are terrific sport-touring and sport-adventure machines. If you don’t need the additional touring amenities on the Tracer 900 GT, the F 900 XR is cheaper, lighter and handles well. If you do want bags, heated grips, a centerstand, etc., the Yamaha is a better value and handles just as well.
The BMW’s additional suspension travel contributes to its greater ground clearance, which helps prevent the undercarriage from scraping on low curbs, ruts, pavement edges, etc.
Mark’s Gear: Helmet: HJC i70 Jacket:Scorpion Yosemite Pants: Olympia X-Moto 2 Boots: Sidi Performer Gore
Extra-long footpeg feelers on the Yamaha touch down in corners well before any hard parts like the centerstand or exhaust.
2020 BMW F 900 XR Specs
Base Price: $11,695 Price as Tested: $11,945 (color) Warranty: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles Website:BMW Motorrad
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel twin Displacement: 895cc Bore x Stroke: 86.0 x 77.0mm Compression Ratio: 13.1:1 Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Adj. Interval: 12,000 miles Fuel Delivery: BMS-M EFI Lubrication System: Dry sump, 3.2-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet slipper clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain
Chassis Frame: Aluminum controlled-fill die-cast perimeter w/ tubular-steel subframe & cast aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 59.1 in. Rake/Trail: 24 degrees/3.9 in. Seat Height: 33.5/34.1 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm USD fork, fully adj., 5.4-in. travel Rear: Linked shock, adj. for rebound damping & spring preload (remote), 5.6-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 298mm discs w/ opposed 4-piston radial calipers & ABS Rear: Single 245mm disc w/ 1-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 5.50 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 180/55-ZR17 Wet Weight: 506 lbs. Load Capacity: 363 lbs. GVWR: 869 lbs.
Performance Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gals., last 0.7 gal. warning light on MPG: 91 PON min. (low/avg/high) 41.8/44.0/46.3 Estimated Range: 211 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,000
2020 BMW F 900 XR vs. Yamaha Tracer 900 GT Comparison Test Gallery:
Ready for some fun riding? The Yamaha Tracer 900 GT and BMW F 900 XR combine the useful power of table-flat torque curves with mostly upright, comfortable seating and good wind protection, suspension, brakes and handling.LED headlights and taillights give both bikes excellent conspicuity and nighttime vision. Surmise all you want as to why the Yamaha’s low beam is on the left and the BMW’s is on the right….Both of these bikes are terrific sport-touring and sport-adventure machines. If you don’t need the additional touring amenities on the Tracer 900 GT, the F 900 XR is cheaper, lighter and handles well. If you do want bags, heated grips, a centerstand, etc., the Yamaha is a better value and handles just as well.Both bikes have top-notch suspension that helps them dance through bumpy corners, including USD forks and single shocks with adjustable rebound damping and remote preload adjusters.Extra-long footpeg feelers on the Yamaha touch down in corners well before any hard parts like the centerstand or exhaust.The BMW’s additional suspension travel contributes to its greater ground clearance, which helps prevent the undercarriage from scraping on low curbs, ruts, pavement edges, etc.Although the base model F 900 XR is priced well below the Tracer 900 GT, much of the Yamaha’s standard equipment—heated grips, centerstand, saddlebags and more—is optional on the BMW.Long-travel suspension and 17-inch wheels front and rear contribute to the BMW F 900 XR’s sport-adventure look, but we’d keep it firmly on the road.Swooping bodywork and swingarm, longish suspension travel and 17-inch wheels give the Tracer 900 GT a beautifully aggressive look that belies its sport-touring comfort.BMW’s large TFT display is clear and bright and is controlled with a menu button and Multi-Controller wheel by the left grip. Yamaha’s TFT display is smallish but still fairly easy to read. Yamaha’s CP3 Crossplane triple make more horsepower but roughly the same amount of torque as the BMWBased on the F 850 GS mill, the F 900 XR’s new twin has a lumpier firing interval and more functional counterbalancer. 2020 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT Dyno Run2020 BMW F 900 XR Dyno Run
BMW has upgraded its middleweight parallel twin-cylinder line with a larger version of the engine from the F 850 GS, which brings more character and smoothness to the new F 900 R (shown) and F 900 XR.
Since the launch of the BMW F 800 model family with the F 800 S and F 800 ST in 2006, these middleweight, parallel twin-powered motorcycles have been offered in a wide variety of models as lower-priced alternatives to BMW’s larger bikes. As with the R 1200 boxer twins, the most popular parallel twins have been the F 800 GS and GSA adventure bikes, with the more street-oriented F 650 GS/F 700 GS close behind. No surprise, really, since adventure and ADV-styled bikes have done well for some time now.
Conversely the F 800 ST and later GT sport-touring versions were short-lived, leaving the F 800 R streetfighter introduced in 2009 as the sole non-GS model in the lineup as of 2019. No doubt the bike’s entry-level price and the showmanship of four-time world-champion freestyle rider Christian Pfeiffer — who helped develop the naked bike he spun, slid and nose wheelied to victory — extended the F 800 R’s longevity.
The BMW-designed, DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder twin is made by Loncin in China, and bikes are assembled in Berlin, Germany. In addition to an unbalanced 270/450-degree firing order for a better sound and feel, it has new dual counterbalancers ffor smoothness.
We applauded BMW’s move toward a simpler, less expensive entry-level twin with the F 800s, which had telescopic forks in place of pricier Telelever or Duolever front ends and belt or chain final drive versus a shaft. But their BMW-designed, Austrian Rotax-built engine, even with its innovative counterbalancer, never really earned our admiration. It was buzzy and raspy sounding and just didn’t deliver the satisfying, torquey throb we expect from a twin.
The F 800s performed well, but it wasn’t until BMW redesigned the engine for the 2019 F 850 GS and F 750 GS (and engine production moved to Loncin in China) that the 853cc engine they share finally came to life. The larger displacement helped, but it was mostly the switch from a balanced 360-degree firing interval with 0-degree crankpin offset to an imbalanced 270/450-degree interval and 90-degree offset that woke the powerplant up, giving it an almost boxer-like twin-cylinder growl and feel. Swapping the central connecting rod-style balancer for dual balancer shafts also tamed the vibes.
Fast-forward one year and the new parallel twin has been enlarged once again and slapped into a pair of dynamic new middleweights, the F 900 R and F 900 XR, roadster and sport-adventure bikes again priced as alternatives to BMW’s larger machines. Updates to the shared DOHC, 4-valve per cylinder engine for more performance and torque from F 850 status include a bump to 895cc, a new cylinder head, forged pistons instead of cast and a higher 13.1:1 compression ratio.
On the Jett Tuning dyno our F 900 R test bike churned out 88.2 horsepower at 8,400 rpm and 58.1 lb-ft of torque at 6,400 rpm, an improvement of about 3 horsepower and 3 lb-ft of torque over our 2019 F 850 GS test bike. Compared curve to curve, more torque is available across more of the F 900’s powerband, too, especially between 4,000-7,000 rpm (redline is at 9,300). All of this grunt reaches the rear wheel via chain final drive through a slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox with a cable-actuated slipper clutch that has a light pull and broad engagement band (an up/down quickshifter is available as an option).
Our F 900 test bike made about 3 more horsepower and 3 more lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel than the F 850 GS.
In addition to their engines, both bikes share an aluminum bridge-type frame, aluminum double-sided cast swingarm and bolt-on steel subframe (presumably to provide enough strength for the optional soft side cases and a luggage rack/top trunk). There’s a 43mm USD fork with no adjustments up front, and a single shock with rebound damping and spring preload adjustment in back — I do wish the remote knob for the latter was easier to access.
Single rear shock on both bikes has adjustable rebound damping and spring preload, the latter with a remote knob that is hard to use.
Cast wheels are shod with high-performance sport- or sport-touring tires in the same sizes, and both shed velocity with triple disc brakes that include radial-mount opposed 4-piston calipers up front and ABS. LED headlights and taillights are standard, and front and center is a large, bright 6.5-inch TFT display with a wealth of ride and vehicle information accessible via the Multi-Controller wheel and menu button on the left bar.
Bright 6.5-inch TFT display offers a ton of vehicle and ride info, all controlled with the Multi-Wheel Controller and a menu button the left bar.
In typical BMW fashion, though the whole idea of the F 900s is a ton of fun at a lower cost, you can boost their prices considerably with a slew of nifty accessories like multiple seat options, Keyless Ride, heated grips, cruise control, a centerstand and more, as well as advanced optional electronic enhancements. These include Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (D-ESA) with Dynamic and softer Road modes and electronic preload; Ride Modes Pro, which adds Dynamic and Dynamic Pro modes to the standard Rain and Road engine modes, and enables cornering ABS, MSR and Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), which detects emergency braking and reduces torque output to counter unintentional opening of the throttle. The Ride Modes Pro plug-in dongle also upgrades the standard traction control to Dynamic, and of course all of this stuff is infinitely adjustable six ways from Sunday.
Decent wind protection (especially with the larger accessory windscreen we tried later) contributes to the XR’s sport-touring competence.
Fortunately both bikes work just fine without spending a moment playing with settings or one might never leave the garage. The F 900 R is the sportier of the two, with a light wet weight of 471 pounds, shorter suspension travel and steering geometry that make it quite a ripper in the corners. It also has a lower seat, higher footpegs and flatter bar for sport riding and to help it accommodate shorter riders, yet the seating position is still quite comfortable, and while the suspension is set firm for sport riding it still soaks up the bumps quite well. Overall it should appeal to a broad range of riders looking for great handling and some techy stuff at a lower price.
To justify its higher cost, the F 900 XR adds a substantial fairing and small adjustable windscreen that together provides a fair amount of wind protection (I do recommend the optional taller windscreen) and contributes to its higher wet weight of 486 pounds. It also has a taller handlebar, significantly more suspension travel, lower pegs and slightly higher seat in keeping with its adventure-influenced design, yet I could still support it adequately at stops with my 29-inch inseam. Add a pair of side cases and it would make a very nice light tourer with a good balance of handling and power.
The F 900 R has shorter suspension travel, a lower seat, flatter bar and higher pegs to give it a sportier feel and stance.
Although the light, plastic-welded fuel tanks on the R and XR have capacities of just 3.4 and 4.1 gallons respectively, I never saw fuel economy below 37 mpg from the required 91 octane, and that was after nearly 250 miles with a heavy throttle hand — they are capable of much better. Although the BMW R 1200 boxer engine makes more power and torque, in many ways the F 900 parallel twin’s character is equally satisfying, especially its growl and ripping-velvet feel that comes with a smooth rushing surge of torque in the midrange. Paired with either the R roadster or XR sport-adventure platforms, the combination creates a very fun and functional middleweight for whatever sort of ride you care to enjoy.
A nicely styled fairing and small adjustable windscreen, more suspension travel and upright seating are hallmarks of the F 900 XR.
2020 BMW F 800 R/XR Specs
Base Price: $8,995/$11,695 Warranty: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles Website:bmwmotorcycles.com
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel twin Displacement: 895cc Bore x Stroke: 86.0 x 77.0mm Compression Ratio: 13.1:1 Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Adj. Interval: 12,000 miles Fuel Delivery: BMS-M EFI Lubrication System: Dry sump, 3.2-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-spd, cable-actuated wet slipper clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain
