Text/photo: OA Isdahl

I’ve now been living with the Tracer 7 GT for just over 24 hours and I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a bike get under my skin as quickly as this model and it takes a bit to get everything to fit so well. On my list of success criteria for an everyday motorcycle are the following expectations:

• The weight should not be too high
• The bike should not be too high and have an appropriate seat height
• Chassis, seat frame and seat should be slim with a relatively firm seat filling
• The handlebar should be wide and good and offer an upright sitting position
• The tank should have a design that makes it possible to anchor the legs well
• The plastic coating on the switches on the guide rails must be correctly positioned so that they are easy to operate
• The instrument should be appealing and easy to read
• The engine should be lively but not frantic
• The gas response must be smooth and fine
• Ride by wire and mapping choices are good
• Balancing and steering geometry should be so good that the bike is balance-neutral and willing to turn
• The frame, swing arm and dampers should also be solid and not wobbly
• The brakes should have a clear bite but work smoothly after the bite
• Side cases or top boxes do not exist for this type of use in my world
• The bike should have good gripping points for bending the bike in everyday life
• The design must fit my desired image (cool, sporty a bit distinctive or different’)

The art of compromise

With such a list and such expectations, it’s not easy to create a motorcycle that can handle both everyday life and touring. The requirements for these two disciplines can to some extent be contradictory in that, in addition to my list, touring bikes should have large wheel sizes, long suspension travel, more weight for flow and comfort and, not least, greater load capacity and engines with a lot of power and torque that can handle loads and higher weight. Most of these characteristics challenge my list above and are simply very difficult to reconcile because they are almost contradictory. We’ll take a closer look at how the tracer 7 GT deals with these contradictions and whether one area of use precludes the other later, but in this context we’re looking at everyday use in an urban setting.

So what does the experience from the city run round say?

Tracer 7 GT delivers on all the above points and also has some very special features that make it fun to ride, features that you only find on a few brands and models but which are very noticeable and not least very easy to fall in love with. I’m thinking, of course, of the bike’s balancing, axle lock and steering angle, which make it so incredibly easy to mobilize for turns or turn combinations. The frame, swingarm and dampers are very precise and contribute, among other things, to making cornering curves and transitions between turns so incredibly responsive and precise. The new Tracer 7 GT is significantly stiffer than its predecessor, so the torsional forces are handled with firmness; I don’t feel any signs of twisting when I release power on uneven surfaces. The sitting position is very nice, I sit upright, in balance and have plenty of power available. I can adjust or compensate with balance, throttle from a spiky CP2 engine and not least easily adjust myself if I have been inaccurate in planning my turn.

Because I’m sitting so well and in such good balance, I have an incredibly nice and good contact with my front wheel via the wonderful handlebars. This means that I’m never unsure about grip or the curve of the bend. I’m in control and can easily push the bike sideways under me from side to side while riding. The Tracer GT7 is simply like riding a symphony and the feeling of control and mastery comes quickly; I seek out the corners and riding at all speeds is just as fun.

The ride to and from the office is so much fun that you can easily find good reasons to choose a significant detour. The low wet weight of 212 kg makes it easy to ride long sessions without getting tired or exhausted. When I take off the side bags, the Tracer 7 GT becomes significantly better and more fun to ride and it’s virtually impossible not to love this bike.

Everyday handling, washing and maintenance on a bike with a center stand is a luxury, crawling in heavy traffic and narrow streets works brilliantly, festive speed increases with corresponding braking in curves and hills just become a single festive game and pleasure where everything feels easy and controlled. I can’t wait to ride to and from work, it’s easy to find good excuses to go for a therapy ride where I can indulge my own quest for the perfect corner and the perfect riding experience. In fact, when I ride the Yamaha Tracer 7 GT, it’s almost hard to think of anything that’s better and more fun to ride. The fun factor is sky-high and the only thing I’m missing to make it all absolutely perfect is a quick shifter and a slipper, but this equipment will be available shortly.

Conclusion city driving and commuting

Simply perfect. Tomorrow I’m going on a long trip and I’m very excited to see if the Tracer handles this part as well. We’ll have to wait and see.