2020 Tracer 700

**KungFooBob** · 07-11-19, 21:01

Originally Posted by Dodgy Knees

Imo, the front end of the new 700 is a step back in styling, not liking the lights. In all honesty, I don't know why anyone would want a 700, the 900 is also light, looks the same and has a much better motor. Maybe cheaper insurance.??

Because of the £2k price difference, maybe?

**Dodgy Knees** · 08-11-19, 06:35

Maybe..

**Supermofo** · 08-11-19, 08:26

Originally Posted by Dodgy Knees

Imo, the front end of the new 700 is a step back in styling, not liking the lights. In all honesty, I don't know why anyone would want a 700, the 900 is also light, looks the same and has a much better motor. Maybe cheaper insurance.??

For me it'd be a speed thing rather than a cash thing. It's the reason I own a 690 Duke and not a 1290. Whilst the throttle goes both ways I suspect a 700 would be easier to thrap to its max without finding yourself at prison speeds. I find smaller engines used at 80-90% more fulfilling than a big engine at 60-70%.

Having said that I'd try both before I bought as I've not ridden either and ive heard the 900 is pretty good at lower speeds. But I have a problem with either using what I have and feeling guilty/worried or not using it due to that worry which makes the extra power pointless.

**a_morti** · 08-11-19, 09:18

Originally Posted by KungFooBob

The Tracer has a competitor....

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/...es/bmw-f900xr/

Looks like a S1000XR... but it's F series parallel twin!

Honda cb4x prototype will probably become a cb650x.

Seems like bikes are heading the same way as cars where the cool kids have an SUV.

**couchcommando** · 08-11-19, 14:09

Originally Posted by a_morti

Honda cb4x prototype will probably become a cb650x.

Seems like bikes are heading the same way as cars where the cool kids have an SUV.

It's because the riders are getting older and want some comfort

TBH my 1090 is as quick on a ride somewhere as any other bike, arguably quicker on certain roads. These days with some 'adventure' bikes having 160hp and full electronics there's no need to have a sportsbike for road use and be uncomfy and cramped

**The Spin Doctor** · 09-11-19, 18:38

Originally Posted by Dodgy Knees

Imo, the front end of the new 700 is a step back in styling, not liking the lights. In all honesty, I don't know why anyone would want a 700, the 900 is also light, looks the same and has a much better motor. Maybe cheaper insurance.??

The 900's not THAT light! It's 210 kgs wet.

Tracer 700 is 196 kgs... 14 kgs lighter, or just over 30 lbs. That's a lot of pies.

Better motor? Depends what you like... a turbine-like motor or one with a bit of 'thud'. Or whether the extra power makes a difference. The bigger motor probably helped with a passenger and luggage (though my XJ6 doesn't struggle with around 80 hp) and in 3500 miles in NZ I only got anywhere near maxing it out once. (The fines are too high and there are police cars in unlikely places.)

I think the older one is better-looking, too.

**Dodgy Knees** · 10-11-19, 10:03

Fair point... I went to the dealer with an open mind 700/900. Sat on both, swing leg over and lift off sidestand, both felt much lighter than my previous. Don't know the weights, could be weight is low down, don't know.

The build of the 900 looked much better, and as specially the forks. Put them side by side and you will know what I mean. Both easy to push about, Very easy to get on the centre stand, standard and nice to have on 900.

Imo, the beauty of the 900 is that extra go when needed. I want a bike to get to 100 mph quickly, many do I know, but also the 70 to 100 bit I find most useful. Yes, with pillion and/or luggage the 900 would excell.

Its an excellent 'do it all' bike for a one bike garage.

Cheers

Paul.

**Bigyin** · 10-11-19, 23:16

Originally Posted by Dodgy Knees

Imo, the beauty of the 900 is that extra go when needed. I want a bike to get to 100 mph quickly, many do I know, but also the 70 to 100 bit I find most useful. Yes, with pillion and/or luggage the 900 would excell.

Its an excellent 'do it all' bike for a one bike garage.

Sir might want to try a Multistrada 1200/1260, BMW S1000XR or 1090/1190/1290 KTM if thats your parameters ..... all will knock the Yamaha into a cocked hat

**Cousin Jack** · 11-11-19, 11:09

Originally Posted by couchcommando

It's because the riders are getting older and want some comfort

That's the bit I don't understand. I am old, but I find that a sport(ish) riding position and a fairing are much more comfortable than an upright semi-naked thing. I did 4300 miles in 3 weeks on a VFR and was fine. When it rained the fairing kept most of the water off my legs and torso (unless it was pissing down), so only my arms got wet

**Julian_Boolean** · 11-11-19, 11:17

Originally Posted by Cousin Jack

That's the bit I don't understand. I am old, but I find that a sport(ish) riding position and a fairing are much more comfortable than an upright semi-naked thing. I did 4300 miles in 3 weeks on a VFR and was fine. When it rained the fairing kept most of the water off my legs and torso (unless it was pissing down), so only my arms got wet

The VFR is a comfy bike, try doing a tenth of that mileage on a 90s race replica, you'll know the meaning of pain.

**Supermofo** · 11-11-19, 11:31

Been a long time since I've ridden a VFR but I recall my Dad's being comfy ( I did have a Blade at the time though). My 690 is way more comfy than either of my last 2 bikes though. The R6 expectedly so and a Firestorm less expected but even that was sore arse/wrists in an hour and a half or so. I did 5 hours down to Yeovil in relative comfort on the 690. Surprisingly I found my 690 more comfy than my Brothers Vrysys too which I found had fairly high pegs which my dodgy knee didn't like at all.