When you look at the touring motorcycle market, heavyweight machines often steal the spotlight. But they can be bulky and even a little intimidating for many riders. That feeling becomes stronger if what you are really after is a balanced touring motorcycle that lets you enjoy highways, backroads, and even city streets without compromise. This is exactly why the midweight segment feels so special.
It is the sweet spot where bikes stay light enough to feel agile, powerful enough to cover serious miles, and practical enough to fit into everyday life. Yamaha has one of the clearest examples of how a motorcycle can deliver this balance while still giving you solid value for your money. It brings the confidence of a touring bike without the bulk, the excitement of a sports bike without the compromises, and the comfort of a long-distance cruiser without the premium price tag.
The Yamaha Tracer 9 Is The Most Balanced Touring Motorcycle Money Can Buy Right Now
Yamaha’s touring lineup is intentionally streamlined. The FJR1300ES is a long-distance sport tourer, built for premium comfort, shaft drive reliability, and electronically adjustable suspension. The other is the Tracer 9, a middleweight sport tourer that blends agility with practicality and stands out as a true all-rounder. It occupies the sweet spot where you get smooth triple cylinder power, a lightweight chassis, and rider-friendly technology.
Affordable Starting Price at $12,599
Price is another area where Tracer 9 finds balance. With a starting price of $12,599, it delivers strong value while offering nearly all the touring capabilities you actually need at a fraction of the weight and cost compared to heavyweight machines. In the market, the Tracer proves to be a more balanced touring setup when compared to the cheaper and sportier BMW F 900 XR, which begins at $11,995 but can quickly become expensive once you start adding options.
Neither of these rivals poses as much of a challenge as the full-size Honda NT1100, priced at $11,899, which brings a larger engine and the convenience of an automatic DCT gearbox at an impressively reasonable cost. That makes sense if you want a relaxed ride, but the Yamaha remains far lighter and delivers punchy performance that is excellent for versatility.
The Yamaha Tracer 9 Offers Triple‑Cylinder Thrill With Everyday Usability
You probably first heard about Yamaha’s CP3 engine when it showed up in the MT-09. On the Tracer 9, that same 890 cc liquid-cooled triple takes on a different personality. Instead of chasing outright thrills, it is tuned to give you smooth, usable power that makes long-distance riding feel effortless. With a bore and stroke of 78.0 mm by 62.1 mm, a compression ratio of 11.5 to 1, and Yamaha’s YCC T ride-by-wire system, it is built to deliver consistency mile after mile.
Power, Torque, and That Iconic Growl
The engine puts out 117 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 68.6 pound-feet of torque at 7,000 rpm. That means you have plenty of passing power on the highway, even if you are loaded up with luggage for a week-long trip. Behind those numbers are details like forged pistons, strong connecting rods, ceramic composite cylinder liners, and offset pistons, all working together to keep the engine durable and responsive.
The six-speed transmission pairs with an assist and slipper clutch to make gear changes smooth and reduce fatigue on longer rides. The bike runs a chain drive, and you can add a two-way quickshifter if you want seamless shifts. Yamaha even offers an automatic Y AMT transmission for the Tracer in other markets, although it is not available in the United States yet. Efficiency is another strong point. Yamaha claims an average of 48 miles per gallon, and with a five-gallon fuel tank, you are looking at a range of about 240 miles before you need to stop.
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Chassis Is Tuned for Confidence and Comfort On The Yamaha Tracer 9
The Tracer 9 runs on a diamond-type aluminum frame that keeps the weight down while stiffening things up, so you get a planted feel without carrying extra bulk. Pair that with suspension travel of just over five inches front and rear, and you have a setup that soaks up potholes and rough pavement while still keeping the bike lively when the road gets twisty.
Up front, you are looking at KYB 41 mm inverted forks, while the rear is handled by a KYB single shock. Both ends can be dialed in for preload and rebound. The 17-inch SpinForged wheels wrapped in road-biased rubber give the Tracer 9 a clear road bias, while dual 298 mm discs up front and a 267 mm disc at the rear, backed by lean-sensitive ABS, make sure you have the stopping power to match.
Agile in the City, Stable on the Highway
The Tracer 9 really shows off its versatility with an upright and comfortable riding position backed by well‑sorted geometry. With a wheelbase of 59.1 inches, a rake of 24.4 degrees, and a trail of 4.2 inches, the bike feels flickable in traffic yet rock solid when you stretch it out on the highway. The adjustable seat height between 33.3 and 33.9 inches makes it approachable for a wide range of riders, and at 483 pounds wet, it is lighter than most of its rivals. Add in a large manually adjustable windscreen, a comfortable saddle, and a handlebar angle that feels natural, and you have a touring setup that keeps you fresh mile after mile.
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Tech On The Yamaha Tracer 9 Makes Every Mile Easier
Unlike some premium tourers that bury you under layers of complex electronics, the Tracer 9 keeps things rider‑friendly with practical technology. Sure, it does not get the radar kit you see on pricier international Tracer 9 GT+ models, but the standard Tracer 9 still packs serious hardware. At the heart of it is a six‑axis IMU that manages traction control, slide control, lift control, and cornering ABS. Think of it as the bike’s onboard pit crew, constantly reading lean angle and pitch to keep you planted. You can switch it all off and let the bike run raw, too.
Rider‑Focused Features You’ll Actually Use
The cockpit is anchored by a modern full-color 7-inch TFT display that acts as the bike’s nerve center. It lets you connect your smartphone, choose between three display themes, and manage riding modes. You get three preset ride modes and two customizable modes that adjust throttle response and safety systems to match the road ahead. The Tracer 9 checks almost all the feature boxes. Standard equipment includes full LED lighting with cornering lights, an adjustable seat designed for comfort, hard side cases that can fit a full-face helmet, and a convenient smartphone box with a USB-C socket for charging.
Sources: Yamaha Motorsports