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Replacing the Yamaha MT-07 Tracer, the 700 Tracer changes its look and adopts adjustable suspensions. Significant changes but billed at a Hollywood rate.

 

Sister of the fiery MT-07 roadster, the Yamaha Tracer 700 operates the same engine but adds an adjustable bubble, a large tank, a thicker saddle in one part, a raised handlebar, an extended swingarm (+6 cm wheelbase ) and specific suspensions now adjustable (in rebound as in compression). Interesting modifications which however require a substantial additional cost of € 1,700 compared to the MT-07 roadster. Billed at € 8,799, the Yamaha Tracer 700 is placed above the Suzuki V-Strom 650 (€ 8,399) and other Kawasaki Versys 650 (€ 8,049). For this price, we would have liked to have more generous equipment with traction control and why not a connectivity system with a smartphone application. We are in 2020, twenty god! In short, you have to settle for a small recess in the fairing to accommodate an optional USB socket ... at 30 €! Suffice to say that this Yamaha 700 tracer "made its star".
 

The Yamaha Tracer 700 focuses on design above all!
To make the pill swallow, Yamaha has bet heavily on the design, very modern and differentiating with daytime running lights and LED indicators as well as lenticular headlights which can be supplemented by fog lights of the same type (optional at 469 €) . Another strong point is the well thought-out ergonomics of the controls with a button on the handlebars to navigate the on-board computer menus. Manual windscreen adjustment is also a breeze. The saddle is not too high and the riding position pleasant solo as well as in duet. A rear damper adjustment dial would still have been nice.

 

A stable and fast but hard Yamaha Tracer 700
At start-up, the engine sound is quite muffled. To comply with Euro5 standards, the 689 cc twin-cylinder has a new, larger, quieter exhaust. From the first meters, the Yamaha Tracer 700 offers a natural grip thanks to its contained weight and its good balance. However, it remains less manoeuvrable in town than the MT-07, which is both lighter (-14 kg) and shorter. The engine remains relatively flexible at low speed and beyond 6000 rpm, it finds its second wind and jumps up to 10 000 rpm. No need to force to reach 207 km / h in 6th. Powerful and stable at high speed, the Yamaha Tracer 700 lacks comfort in the long run. If the side scoops deflect the air at the level of the legs, the windscreen does not work miracles. It appears moreover more effective in low position than in high position. Vibrations are also felt in the handlebars and the footrests beyond 120 km / h. With the original settings, the suspensions seemed very firm for a road trail and the gearbox control lacked fluidity. Note that our model had few kilometers on the odometer. Braking with ABS is effective, but the inconsistent rear brake pedal lacks progressiveness. During our test, our consumption increased to 6.2 l / 100 km. Count less than 6.0 l / 100 l in current use. Nothing great, however, for an engine that meets the latest emissions standards.

Verdict: Thanks to its refreshing design, its easy handling and its sparkling engine, the Yamaha 700 Tracer should remain the queen of its segment. But it is not much more comfortable than the Yamaha MT-07 and remains very little in equipment.

yamaha-tracer-700-2020_avant_gauche-750xYamaha Tracer 700 

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