Why This Touring Motorcycle Is the Ultimate All-Rounder In 2025

Like them or not, touring motorcycles need to be all-rounders. They’re expected to go anywhere, and do anything – including the grocery run if they have good enough luggage. With this much natural ability in the segment, it can be a little difficult to pick one that stands out from the herd. Our requirements were many. It needs to be accessible to a vast majority of riders. This is a tough one, as this means it needs to be unintimidating for people while still remaining fun for an experienced rider.

It needs to have some off-road skill. It needs to have low ownership and maintenance costs, and it needs to have a good safety net to help the rider negotiate various scenarios on the open road. There are very few motorcycles that can fulfill all these requirements, but we think there is one that will do it better than the rest. Here’s why we think this touring motorcycle is the ultimate all-rounder in 2025.

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The Yamaha Tracer 9 Is The Touring Motorcycle That Is the Ultimate All-Rounder In 2025

Price: $12,599

The Tracer sits in the Yamaha touring lineup below the Super Tenere and FJR1300. It is also in purpose somewhere between the Tenere and the FJR. This is not quite a sport tourer, and not quite an adventure bike. It will do some light off-road work like gravel and unpaved roads, but that isn’t its intended core competency. Yamaha offers it in three different variants internationally: the Tracer 9, Tracer 9 GT, and Tracer 9 GT+.

Yamaha had the all-singing, all-dancing Tracer 9 GT+ on sale until the ’24 model year here, and it is still listed on the website, so you might just be able to snag one until stocks run out. The GT+ variant of the Tracer 9 is one of the most advanced motorcycles you’ll find in any segment. It has front radar linked to adaptive cruise control, and it will also help the computer decide how to proportion braking force depending on the distance to the vehicle in front. The rear-facing radar looks at blind spots and warns the rider of vehicles with logos in the mirrors, just like a car does.

There is also a camera system on the front to help the matrix headlamp system function. This isn’t just a plain cornering system; you can leave high beam on and the camera will help to avoid blinding other road users while lighting up as much of the road as possible. This is over and above the cornering functions that are enabled thanks to the 6-axis IMU. You’ll have to shell out $3,000 more for the GT+ variant in the US market, although the Y-AMT automatic version wasn’t an option in ’24 in the US.

Yamaha Tracer 9 Notable Features

• CP3 cross-plane inline three cylinder engine
• Variable Speed Limiter
• 7-inch TFT display
• Fully adjustable suspension
• ‘Matrix’ headlamp with cornering function
• Standard luggage

The Yamaha Tracer 9 Shares The MT-09 Engine

The Crossplane CP3 Is Always Ready To Play

The Tracer 9 is powered by Yamaha’s CP3 inline three engine. This odd-sounding engine offers the same benefits as an R1 but with one less cylinder. There is torque wherever you want it, to the extent that this is an extremely playful motorcycle, but not crazy like the MT-09. Power has gone up over the years and sits at 117 horsepower for the 2025 version. This is no doubt thanks to advancements like forged pistons and conrods. Plus, the cylinder liners are ceramic composite, and the pistons are offset.

Ride modes and cruise control are present thanks to the by-wire throttle, and a six-axis IMU adds a dollop of safety. On the list of electronics are traction control, slide control, wheelie control, and back slip regulation. The gearbox with the 2025 model offered in the US market is a six-speed manual, and it is offered with an assist and slipper clutch. The Tracer’s road bias is confirmed with an underbelly exhaust similar to the new KTM 390 Adventure.

Yamaha Tracer 9 Engine Specifications

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Here’s What Makes This Yamaha Tourer The Ultimate All-Rounder In 2025

Playful Chassis That Matches The Engine

The Tracer 9 has a diamond frame, which is another name for its Deltabox frame that it uses for its sports bikes. This type of chassis has a lot of respect in the fraternity for the feel and feedback it offers. The 2025 suspension consists of KYB units, with manual preload and rebound damping at both ends. The 2024 GT+ model has semi-active suspension from the same manufacturer. Internationally, a Y-AMT automatic gearbox is available, but in the US market, only a six-speed manual is available. This gearbox has an assist and slipper clutch, and drives the rear wheel via a chain.

Attention has been paid elsewhere. Sometimes, the seating position can get a little cramped for tall riders because the footpegs are positioned aggressively. So the ’25 model has corrected that to some extent. The features list is also quite impressive, with a 7-inch TFT offering access to all the functions, including ride modes, and a way to customize settings in the ‘user’ ride mode. The motorcycle offers a storage box for your smartphone with a port to charge it, the windscreen is (manually) adjustable, and you get lane change indicators as well as the self-canceling indicators.

Yamaha Tracer 9 Hardware Specs And Dimensions

2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 Rivals

Some Very Impressive Alternatives

The Tracer 9’s retail price gives it some very impressive competition. The Triumph Tiger 900 GT ($14,995) has the most similar engine and purpose to the Tracer 9. Interestingly, Triumph quotes the exact same wet weight as the Yamaha, down to the pound. Another European product that comes close to a very similar price is the BMW F 900 XR ($12,370), although it utilizes a parallel twin engine.

A left-field proposition is the recently-launched Honda NT1000 DCT ($11,899) if you really want your tourer with an automatic gearbox. But it is significantly heavier, and has less power than the Yamaha. The Honda will be the logical choice if you’re going to be doing predominantly two-up touring.

Yamaha Tracer 9 Vs Rivals