Motorcycle specifications YamahaTracer 9 2025 Impressive lighting

For 2025, Yamaha is renewing (deconstructing?) its TRACER 9 model. The most visible change, both day and night, is the world-first appearance of LED matrix lights. Also of interest to heavy-duty drivers, the TRACER 9 is equipped with an optional automatic transmission. These changes have turned around a model that had already established a certain aura with customers - a risky gamble?

Style driven by function

Where the old TRACER played the role of a Swiss Army knife, with an outfit that was still quite stylish, if not sporty, the new TRACER 9, as mentioned in the introduction, is to incorporate LED matrix headlamps. Although these are only fitted on the GT and GT+ versions, the standard Tracer9 must support the style decided for their installation. And these lights are particularly imposing! Some Yamaha designers must have found the Harley-Davidson Pan America 's front end so cool that they decided to add no less than 6 LED units to the front end in addition to the daytime running lights. The front now resembles the face of a teenager in the throes of puberty. Function has overtaken the design office. The look is likely to divide, starting with the community ofold TRACER owners who may not find the old TRACER's equilibrium.

Let's talk a little about this technology for those tempted by the Tracer 9 GT. Geeks will be delighted to learn that the matrix manages high and low beams. Connected to a camera integrated into the top section, this technology automatically detects surrounding traffic, natural light sources and weather conditions. As a result, the intensity and distribution of the lighting is automatically adjusted to ensure the best possible visibility at all times. Very heavy night riders will certainly gain in comfort, but also in safety. The icing on the cake is that the lighting is also adaptive when cornering. In fact, the LED matrix lighting system works with the six-axis IMU to adjust the light beam when an angle of inclination of 7 degrees or more is detected.

Fully automated, the system also leaves room for manual adjustment by the driver, who can manually select one of three sensitivity levels at any time.

The TRACER 9's fairing and bubble have been modified for 2025. The bubble is now larger and manually adjustable to 10 positions. Behind it, the rider will see that the bike is equipped with a 7-inch TFT instrument panel that can be configured to display one of three distinctive themes. The display is also compatible with Garmin's Motorize application for optimal active map navigation. The dashboard also displays YRC (Yamaha Ride Control) riding modes, tire pressure monitoring systems and heated accessories. You can connect your smartphone to the bike via Yamaha's free MyRide app. Connection can be via USB, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and, once connected, the rider can view information on incoming calls, e-mails and SMS messages, while rider and passenger can also listen to music and answer calls via connected Bluetooth headphones (optional). For 2025, the fairing now features an integrated storage compartment, located to the right of the fuel tank and containing a USB socket.

Modified chassis for greater passenger comfort

Yamaha hasn't really changed the technical basis of the TRACER. Well-built and efficient for both touring and sport riding, the bike is still based on the Deltabox aluminum frame. Yamaha varies the thickness of the frame to provide rigidity where it's needed and a little flexibility for the perfect compromise.

The modification for 2025 is a steel rear buckle, longer (+50 mm) and lighter (- 150 gr) than before, to offer more space for regular duo riders. Naturally, this modification also called for a new seat. The seat is slimmer at the junction with the fuel tank, while at the back it offers better padding and a longer seat for greater comfort, according to Yamaha. So, the TRACER is no longer just a machine that excels at getting to work in the morning, it's increasingly focused on travel. Ergonomics for these new pretensions have been finalized with the addition of new handlebars and footrests.

Finally, the saddle offers two height adjustments. It can be raised by 15 mm, without the need for tools. The standard seat height is 845 mm.

It's rare in press releases to have this kind of information, but Yamaha has specified that the TRACER 9 2025 also benefits from a change in rim thickness on the rear wheel to optimize rigidity. The tires are Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32s designed specifically for the TRACER 9. The internal structure of the tires has been developed to complement and enhance the TRACER 9's handling, reducing the weight of the front wheel by around 200g and the rear by 300g. We've said it before, but limiting wheel weight means limiting unsprung mass, and easily ensuring a more manageable motorcycle. The TRACER 9 now weighs 212 kg fully loaded. That's one kilo less than the previous model.

The basic TRACER 9 is fitted with KYB suspension. The 41 mm front fork offers 130 mm of travel (131 mm for the link-mounted rear shock absorber). Braking is via 298 mm front and 267 mm rear discs. They are gripped at the front by 4-piston calipers and at the rear by a single-piston caliper.

The fork's anchorage to the frame has been redesigned to give the handlebars a wider angle, reducing the minimum turning radius from 3.1 m to 2.9 m.

Engine: you don't change a winning team... optional automatic gearbox

The heart of the TRACER 9 is, of course, the 890 cm3 three-cylinder "CP3". It's here in a version that offers a high fill rate from mid-range to match the spirit of the bike. In this EURO 5+ configuration, it delivers maximum power of 119 hp at 10,000 rpm, with torque of 93 Nm at 7,000 rpm. No gain or loss compared with the previous configuration.

To drive according to your mood (or the conditions), you'll have five driving modes at your fingertips (three preset and two customizable), combined with the six-axis IMU and other technologies, such as the full set of tilt-sensitive steering aids and cruise control. These driving modes (Sport, Street, Rain, Custom 1 and Custom 2), can be activated via the control located on the new right-hand commodo. Custom mode allows the owner to set parameters one by one in the YRC menu on the TFT dashboard, or using the app. When using the app, all new YRC custom settings will be loaded and available for the rider to select the next time the app is connected to the bike.

As an option, you can fit the bike with a Y-AMT (Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission ). This gearbox gives you the choice between a fully automatic transmission and a manual gear change with an electronically controlled automatic clutch.

Shifting gears is done by hand only, as opposed to a combination of foot and hand. Gear changes are made using a control positioned on the rider's left hand. The rider can either use his thumb to upshift with the "+" control and his index finger to downshift with the "-" control, or opt for single-finger operation, using only the index finger to pull the "+" control (upshift) and to push it (downshift). Of course, this operation is performed without using a clutch lever.

At a standstill and at low speed, the Y-AMT system controls the clutch and gearbox to prevent stalling. The system takes full charge of the gearshift functions in each of the two automatic sub-modes: D and D+. D mode offers smoother gear changes, while D+ mode holds each gear longer for sportier driving. The rider can switch from one driving mode to the other via a simple button on the right-hand switchgear.

For those who opt for this optional automatic gearbox, the package includes automatic turn indicators and heated grips. The handles offer 10 levels of heat. Finally, for those who prefer an old-school gearbox, the shifter is optional.

In conclusion, Yamaha has perfected its machine in every possible way to make it hyper-versatile. Undeniable qualities that could only be marred by a style that's likely to divide..

Vincent Beaucousin - manufacturer's photos