Motorcycles

Yamaha expands its Adventure Touring lineup with the Tracer 700

Yamaha expands its Adventure Touring lineup with the Tracer 700
Yamaha introduced the Tracer 700 in exactly the same fashion as it did with the 900 cc model
Yamaha introduced the Tracer 700 in exactly the same fashion as it did with the 900 cc model
View 23 Images
The rear shock of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is adjustable only for preload
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The rear shock of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is adjustable only for preload
Yamaha designed the Tracer 700 as a capable and affordable adventure sport tourer
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Yamaha designed the Tracer 700 as a capable and affordable adventure sport tourer
Two-up touring should be a hoop on the new Yamaha Tracer 700
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Two-up touring should be a hoop on the new Yamaha Tracer 700
The Yamaha Tracer 700 is an asphalt-oriented motorcycle
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The Yamaha Tracer 700 is an asphalt-oriented motorcycle
The Yamaha Tracer 700 shares the same frame, engine and suspension as the MT-07 naked roadster
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The Yamaha Tracer 700 shares the same frame, engine and suspension as the MT-07 naked roadster
The Yamaha Tracer 700 will probably be an adept canyon carver
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The Yamaha Tracer 700 will probably be an adept canyon carver
The Yamaha Tracer 700 is powered by a 689 cc inline twin-cylinder that produces 75 hp
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The Yamaha Tracer 700 is powered by a 689 cc inline twin-cylinder that produces 75 hp
The swingarm of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is longer in comparison the MT's unit
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The swingarm of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is longer in comparison the MT's unit
The twin headlights of the Yamaha Tracer 700 mimic the design that was proven very successful in the case of the Tracer 900
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The twin headlights of the Yamaha Tracer 700 mimic the design that was proven very successful in the case of the Tracer 900
Yamaha will support the Tracer 700 with a comprehensive list of accessories
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Yamaha will support the Tracer 700 with a comprehensive list of accessories
Adding three more liters to the gas tank of the Yamaha Tracer 700, its range is expected to be very decent for touring
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Adding three more liters to the gas tank of the Yamaha Tracer 700, its range is expected to be very decent for touring
Long supports for the Yamaha Tracer 700 passenger pegs appear to offer ample leg room
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Long supports for the Yamaha Tracer 700 passenger pegs appear to offer ample leg room
These hand guards are standard on the Yamaha Tracer 700, offering aerodynamic protection
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These hand guards are standard on the Yamaha Tracer 700, offering aerodynamic protection
The fairing design of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is very similar to that of the Tracer 900
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The fairing design of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is very similar to that of the Tracer 900
The LCD display of the Yamaha Tracer 700
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The LCD display of the Yamaha Tracer 700
The single-piece seat of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is designed for comfortably hosting two passengers during long rides
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The single-piece seat of the Yamaha Tracer 700 is designed for comfortably hosting two passengers during long rides
A 12V outlet sits on the right-hand side of the Yamaha Tracer 700
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A 12V outlet sits on the right-hand side of the Yamaha Tracer 700
The Yamaha Tracer 700 enters a fiercely contested market segment, equipped with a competitive price and strong performance figures
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The Yamaha Tracer 700 enters a fiercely contested market segment, equipped with a competitive price and strong performance figures
Yamaha introduced the Tracer 700 in exactly the same fashion as it did with the 900 cc model
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Yamaha introduced the Tracer 700 in exactly the same fashion as it did with the 900 cc model
Two-up riding seems quite comfortable on the Yamaha Tracer 700
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Two-up riding seems quite comfortable on the Yamaha Tracer 700
The Yamaha Tracer 700 will be available in three single colors
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The Yamaha Tracer 700 will be available in three single colors
The Tracer 900 was based on the MT-09 roadster, showing the way that Yamaha would soon follow with the smaller variant
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The Tracer 900 was based on the MT-09 roadster, showing the way that Yamaha would soon follow with the smaller variant
The MT-07 is the donor bike, based on which Yamaha developed the Tracer 700
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The MT-07 is the donor bike, based on which Yamaha developed the Tracer 700
View gallery - 23 images

Hot on the heels of the commercial success that was the Tracer 900 last year, Yamaha Motor Europe is replicating the same tactic in a smaller capacity class. Based on the popular twin-cylinder MT-07, the new Adventure Sports Tourer enters a fiercely-contested market segment.

Adventure motorcycles are a hot commodity these days all over the world. Be it because they faithfully serve the "size matters" dogma acting as the motorcycle equivalent of the SUV, or maybe due to their sensible practicality and upright riding position, the undeniable fact is that this part of the two-wheeled market enjoys phenomenal success.

The latest trend sees manufacturers looking to mimic the success of their big adventurers with smaller-capacity models, thus widening their potential customer base to more income classes, as well as looking towards the Asian markets.

Two-up riding seems quite comfortable on the Yamaha Tracer 700
Two-up riding seems quite comfortable on the Yamaha Tracer 700

Just like the Tracer 900 was based on the MT-09, the 700 is essentially an MT-07 (or FZ-07 in several markets) with some key changes to cater for its new purpose. The inline twin-cylinder engine, brakes and wheels are identical to those of the roadster MT. Yamaha made some light modifications to the frame, raising the seat height at 845 mm (33.3 in) – some 40 mm (1.6 in) higher. The swingarm is also longer, resulting in a wheelbase that adds 50 mm (1.9 in) to the MT's 1,400 (55.1 in).

There is a downside to these changes, as the Tracer tips the scales at 196 kg (432 lb) in ready-to-ride mode; that'd be 14 kg (30.8 lb) more than the MT.

Both front and rear suspensions are the same units as the roadster, with the same travel (130 mm/5.1 in) and revised settings. The bike has become taller as far as the riding position is concerned, but in terms of ground clearance (140 mm/5.5 in) nothing has changed during the transformation from MT to Tracer. The new model is clearly designed for paved roads, as suggested by the use of 17-inch rubber on both ends.

Its equipment has been selected with touring aspirations in mind, including a manually-adjustable wind screen, hand guards, dual seat and a 17-liter tank for adequate range – three more liters of gasoline that the MT. In terms of electronics Yamaha opted to keep it simple, with just the compulsory ABS system. Probably this has a lot to do with pricing, since the MT-07 built its huge success (at least in Europe) on its very affordable price, a value that Yamaha wouldn't really tamper with.

The Yamaha Tracer 700 will be available in three single colors
The Yamaha Tracer 700 will be available in three single colors

Available in three colors – black, blue and red – the Tracer 700 will enter the European markets in early July. At the time there is no information on whether or when it will also reach other markets. Priced around the €8,000 (US$9,000) mark in most EU countries, it will probably do its best to heat up the competition. With its feisty 689 cc twin engine that outputs 75 hp and 68 Nm, at this price tag it should make for a particularly strong adversary for motorcycles like the BMW F700/800GS or the Triumph Tiger 800, and holds a serious advantage in power over more affordable models like Honda's NC750X.

For those that would prefer to see a more off-road capable motorcycle, Yamaha is also said to be in the process of developing a Ténéré 700 to be unveiled later this year, possibly at the next Milan EICMA show.

Until then, take a first look of the Tracer 700 in the official promo video that Yamaha just released.

Source: Yamaha

Yamaha Tracer 700

View gallery - 23 images
1 comment
1 comment
toller
They compared this to the BMW and Triumph 800s, but its real market equivalent is the Kawasaki Versys 650 which is $8000 in the US. The Versys has a 5.5 gallon gas tank compared to the 4.5 gallon tank on the Tracer. The Tracer may out perform the Versys and it will be interesting to see heads up comparisons of the two. Competition improves the bread.