Okay, so it's not very exciting to look at and the spec sheet is a bit ordinary, but the Yamaha Tracer 700 should be the ideal sports-tourer for newer, younger riders looking for an affordable machine
Yamaha have unveiled their new Tracer 700 sport-tourer that's based on the MT-07 and is a relatively simple, affordable machine which is also suitable for younger, less experienced riders. Powered by a 689cc parallel-twin that produces 75bhp and 68Nm of torque, the Tracer 700 isn't exactly an R1, but according to Yamaha, its engine's 270-degree crank delivers an uneven firing interval, which contributes towards strong acceleration and improved levels of traction.
While based on the MT-07's chassis, the Tracer 700's frame has been tweaked for sport-touring duties and has been optimised for two-up riding with luggage. The bike gets a longer swingarm, revised suspension settings (with 130mm travel front and rear) and dual 282mm front discs with 4-piston calipers for optimum braking power. ABS is standard.
The Tracer 700's 17-litre fuel tank should give it an acceptably long range (Yamaha have not quoted any fuel economy figures) though its ready-to-ride weight of 196kg seems to be a bit on the higher side. About 160-170 kilos would have made the Tracer a bit peppier. The windshield is manually adjustable and the stepped dual seat looks about right for comfortable long-distance riding. Yamaha are offering a range of useful accessories for the Tracer 700, including hard and soft luggage and a higher windscreen. Available colours include red, black and blue and the bike will be in Yamaha showrooms by July this year. For those who're new to motorcycle touring, this looks to be the ideal package…
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