Most of the time, we talk about advancements of an updated model. In the case of the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9, it’s a motorcycle that has undergone a simplification process to knock $3900 off the MSRP—an eye-popping 24 percent reduction in the price. Although the previous Tracer 9 GT+ was an impressive tour de force, its high price tag made it a difficult sell on the showroom floor—you had to ride the sophisticated sport-touring bike to appreciate it. The Tracer 9 carries over plenty of the GT+’s DNA, so let’s dig into what has changed and what’s new.
- The big change is to the KYB suspension. Gone is the pricey semi-active KYB kit. Although the suspension is still by KYB, you’ll have to make damping and spring-preload adjustments with tools. That change is a big chunk of the $3900 you’ll save on the Tracer 9 with the GT+ removed.
- The six-speed gearbox is back, but the quickshifter isn’t. You’ll have to use the clutch, which has assist and slipper functions to smooth the process of gear changes.
- Cruise control returns, but without the radar system. Although adaptive cruise control is a cool feature, it’s expensive, and many riders will never use it. Cruise control is an essential feature on a touring bike, so it has been retained. However, you will have to keep an eye out for the vehicle in front of you, something you should be doing anyway. Yamaha has also added the ability to set a maximum speed, not that we’ll be using that.
- You still get Nissin braking on the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9, though the radar-informed linked braking is gone. Again, this is a neat high-tech feature, though one many riders were unwilling to pay for in a 900-class sport-tourer. The front braking is still a pair of radially mounted Nissin four-piston calipers doing business with 298mm discs. Cornering ABS has been replaced with no-frills ABS.
- The six-axis IMU survived the purge. While some electronic features were simplified, others remain intact. You still get cornering traction control, slide control, and lift control.
- The Tracer 9 gets an additional custom ride mode. Instead of letting the rider have just one custom mode, two can now be programmed. There are three preset modes—Sport, Street, and Rain.
- Beyond electronics, Yamaha also tweaked the Tracer 9’s physical structure to enhance its sport-touring credentials. The Tracer 9 gets a new iteration of the twin-spar aluminum frame, and it’s sportier. The rake is tucked in 0.6 degrees and is now an aggressive 24.4 degrees. The trail is also reduced by a tenth of an inch. The wheelbase remains the same at 59.1 inches. Interestingly, Yamaha claims the new frame will provide ‘an enhanced feeling of stability.’ At the same time, the subframe has been lengthened and lightened with ‘increased rider/passenger comfort’ in mind, according to our Yamaha source.
- There’s a new seat and handlebar. Yamaha tells us the new seat is more comfortable. We can report that it is an inch higher, providing more legroom. The two-position feature returns, putting the seat at 33.3 or 33.9 inches high. The handlebar bend is changed to match the new seat. The electronically adjustable windscreen is now a manually adjustable windscreen. Also, Yamaha does not mention heated grips on the Tracer 9, so it looks like they’re another casualty of the GT+ conversion. Side cases remain standard.
- The dash has been updated. While the GT+ had a seven-inch TFT screen, the Tracer 9’s same-sized screen is updated. It has three themes and is brighter. The new dash housing is slimmer, and a modern USB-C power port replaces the GT+’s USB-A plug. Also, there’s now a storage box for your smartphone.
- New switchgear greets your left hand, and it has some cool updates. There’s a joystick for easier navigation on the TFT screen. The turn signals self-cancel after 15 seconds, and a soft click summons a three-flash signal—nice.
- We haven’t mentioned the engine because it’s unchanged. It’s the same 890cc triple we know and love in its other iterations, including the MT-09 and XSR900. We also expect to like it in the upcoming YZF-R9.
- The 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 should be at dealers right now. Don’t spend much time thinking about what color you want—it’s only available in Raven.
2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Inline-3
- Displacement: 890cc
- Bore x stroke: 78.0 x 62.1mm
- Compression ratio: 11.5:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist and slipper functions
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Controlled-fill die-cast aluminum w/ subframe
- Front suspension; travel: Adjustable KYB 41mm inverted fork; 5.1 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Adjustable KYB shock; 5.2 inches
Tires: Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32 - Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- Front brakes: 298mm discs w/ 4-piston Nissin calipers
- Rear brake: 267mm disc w/ single-piston Nissin caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 59.1 inches
- Rake: 24.4 degrees
- Trail: 4.2 inches
- Seat height: 33.3 or 33.9 inches
- Fuel capacity: 5.0 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 48 mpg
- Curb weight: 483 pounds (sans side cases)
- Color: Raven
2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 Price: $12,599 MSRP
2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 Photo Gallery
