Yamaha MT-09 Tracer 900 (2015–2017): A Sport-Touring Masterclass That Still Thrills

Introduction

The Yamaha MT-09 Tracer 900 (known as the FJ-09 in North America until 2017) is a motorcycle that defies easy categorization. Part sportbike, part touring machine, and entirely exhilarating, this 2015–2017 generation remains a benchmark in the "hyper-touring" segment. Built around Yamaha’s now-legendary CP3 crossplane inline-three engine, the Tracer 900 is a bike that begs to be ridden hard, yet cossets you on long hauls. After spending a week with a well-maintained 2016 model, it’s clear why this generation still commands a cult following – and why it’s a perfect candidate for personalized upgrades.

Design: Form Meets Functionality

The Tracer’s aesthetic is unapologetically industrial, with its layered fairing design and exposed mechanical components. The twin LED headlights (a rarity in this class during its release) give it a cybernetic stare, while the 18-liter fuel tank flares outward like mechanical shoulder plates. What impresses most is the thoughtful pragmatism:

• Adjustable Ergonomics: The 845mm seat (33.3 inches) can be lowered to 815mm (32.1 inches), while the handlebars offer 10mm of fore/aft adjustment. Combined with the tool-free 37mm windshield adjustment, riders from 5’7” to 6’2” will find a natural fit.
• Tour-Ready Bones: The steel fuel tank accommodates magnetic bags, and the subframe integrates with Yamaha’s hard luggage system. Our test bike’s optional heated grips (pre-wired from factory) proved that Yamaha anticipated real-world touring needs.

Yet, it’s not all business. The Tracer’s proportions – 2,160mm (85 inches) long with a 1,440mm (56.7-inch) wheelbase – strike a perfect balance between agility and highway stability.

Engine & Performance: The Soul of the Beast

The 847cc CP3 engine is why you buy this bike – and why you’ll never sell it. Yamaha’s crossplane crank philosophy (inherited from the R1) transforms this inline-triple into a snarling, torque-rich powerplant that feels alive beneath you.

• Power Delivery: 115 HP (85 kW) at 10,000 RPM sounds modest until you experience the 87.5 Nm (64.5 lb-ft) torque tsunami peaking at 8,500 RPM. From 3,000 RPM onward, the Tracer pulls with the urgency of a liter-bike, yet never feels unruly.
• D-Mode Personality Split: The trio of riding modes reshapes throttle response dramatically. Standard Mode is butter-smooth for traffic; A Mode sharpens reactions to sportbike levels; B Mode (often overlooked) is a rain savior, taming the rear wheel’s breakaway tendencies.
• Exhaust Note: The stock 3-into-1 system emits a metallic bark that crescendos into a howl at redline. It’s addictive, though riders craving more aural drama often opt for aftermarket slip-ons.

Fuel efficiency hovered around 4.8 L/100km (49 mpg) during mixed riding, granting a 375km (233-mile) range – enough to outlast most bladders.

Handling & Comfort: Contradictions Harmonized

Yamaha’s aluminum diamond frame and 41mm USD forks (adjustable for preload and rebound) create a chassis that’s both supple and precise.

• Urban Agility: Despite its 210kg (463 lbs) wet weight, the Tracer flicks through traffic with the ease of a naked bike. The 24-degree rake and 100mm (3.9-inch) trail strike a near-perfect balance between quick steering and stability.
• Canyon Carver: Push hard into corners, and the Bridgestone Battlax S21 tires (120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear) offer tenacious grip. The linked ABS (dual 298mm front discs, 245mm rear) inspires confidence when trail-braking.
• Tour Comfort: After 500km (310 miles) in a day, the seat’s firmness becomes apparent. This is where aftermarket options like gel seats or airhawk pads pay dividends. Wind protection is decent up to 130km/h (80 mph), beyond which taller riders might crave a larger windscreen.

The suspension, while adjustable, leans toward the sporty side. Laden with luggage, upgrading to a Hyperpro spring kit transforms the rear shock’s composure.

Technology & Features: Ahead of Its Time

For a 2015 model, the Tracer’s tech suite remains relevant:

• Traction Control: The two-mode system (with off option) isn’t IMU-assisted like modern bikes but intervenes intuitively. Mode 1 allows playful slides, while Mode 2 is a grip-enforcing nanny.
• Instrumentation: The dual LCD displays provide comprehensive data – from real-time fuel economy to ambient temperature. The gear indicator and adjustable backlight are small touches that matter.
• 12V Power Outlet: Nestled beside the dash, it effortlessly powers GPS units or heated gear.

Missing cruise control and Bluetooth are period-correct omissions, but aftermarket solutions like throttle locks or Quad Lock mounts fill the gap.

Competition: How the Tracer Stacks Up

The 2015–2017 Tracer 900 existed in a golden era of middleweight tourers. Key rivals included:

1. Triumph Tiger 800 XRx
2. Pros: Superior off-road capability, iconic triple soundtrack.
3. Cons: 95 HP (71 kW) felt anemic compared to the Yamaha, and its 215kg (474 lbs) weight was less flickable.

4. Tracer Edge: Road-focused agility and that intoxicating CP3 engine.

5. Kawasaki Versys 1000

6. Pros: 1043cc inline-four offered turbine-like smoothness.
7. Cons: 228kg (503 lbs) made it portly, and the budget suspension struggled under load.

8. Tracer Edge: 18kg (40 lbs) lighter, with a more engaging chassis.

9. BMW F800GT

10. Pros: Telelever front end excelled on poor roads, shaft drive convenience.
11. Cons: The 798cc parallel-twin’s 90 HP (66 kW) lacked character.
12. Tracer Edge: Emotional engine, lower maintenance costs (chain vs. BMW’s shaft).

The Tracer’s genius was blending sportbike verve with touring practicality – a balance few contemporaries matched.

Maintenance: Keeping the CP3 in Peak Form

Yamaha’s CP3 engine is robust, but attentive care ensures longevity:

• Oil Changes: Every 6,000km (3,700 miles) with 2.7L of SAE 10W-40 (API SG+). Consider synthetic variants for extreme climates.
• Valve Clearances: Check every 42,000km (26,000 miles). Intake: 0.11–0.20mm (0.004–0.008"), exhaust: 0.26–0.30mm (0.010–0.012"). Shimming required – a job best left to professionals.
• Chain Maintenance: The 110-link O-ring chain needs regular cleaning and lubrication. Upgrade to a DID Gold series for extended life.
• Cooling System: Replace coolant every 24,000km (15,000 miles). Use ethylene glycol-based mixes and inspect the radiator for debris.
• Brake Fluid: Flush with DOT 4 annually. Swapping to steel-braided lines improves lever feel.
• Spark Plugs: NGK CPR9EA-9 (gap 0.8–0.9mm) every 12,000km (7,500 miles). Iridium alternatives extend intervals.
• Tire Pressures: 2.5 bar (36 psi) front, 2.9 bar (42 psi) rear when solo. Drop to 2.3 bar (33 psi)/2.7 bar (39 psi) for two-up touring.

Common upgrades include:
- Suspension: Öhlins STX46 shock and NIX22 cartridges for laden touring.
- Lighting: LED auxiliary lights for night rides.
- Exhaust: Akrapovič slip-ons shed 3kg (6.6 lbs) and amplify the triple’s snarl.

Conclusion: The Timeless All-Rounder

Seven years post-launch, the MT-09 Tracer 900’s ethos feels prophetic. It predated the current "adventure sport" craze, offering a motorcycle that could carve canyons, commute, and cross continents with equal flair. While newer models boast more tech, the 2015–2017 generation’s simplicity is its virtue – a raw, mechanical purity that intoxicates as much as its engine.

For owners, this Tracer is a canvas. Whether adding crash bars for globe-trotting or tuning the ECU for track days, it invites customization. And for that, MOTOPARTS.store stands ready – because the best journeys begin where the stock parts end.

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Specifications sheet

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