When you think of luxury motorcycles, chances are your mind goes straight to heavyweight touring motorcycles like Harley‑Davidson or Indian touring models. But if you want reliability mixed with advanced technology and wrapped in a luxury experience, Japanese motorcycles quickly rise to the top. That is when names like the Honda Gold Wing and Yamaha FJR1300ES come into focus. But what if you don’t have that much of a budget?
Here is the good news. The market has options that deliver comfort, technology, and style without draining your savings. Yamaha, in particular, has nailed the formula with a sports touring bike that blends all of those qualities into one accessible package. Meet the model that ticks every box and proves long‑distance luxury can be yours at a price that feels surprisingly reasonable.
The Yamaha Tracer 9 Is The Japanese Motorcycle That Offers Luxury Without The Price Tag
Adventure bikes might be the big trend right now, but let’s be honest, not everyone wants to wrestle a heavyweight machine off the pavement every weekend. That gap in the market has given rise to a new breed of motorcycles often called crossovers. They look like adventure bikes with their tall stance, but they are tuned with a clear focus on the road. And when you think about bikes in this space, Yamaha’s Tracer 9 is among the top contenders.
Its lively triple engine, refined electronics, and sharp road presence give it a premium feel without the intimidation factor of a massive touring rig. It blends the agility of a sportbike with the comfort and practicality of a touring motorcycle, making it one of those rare all‑rounders that can handle just about anything you throw at it.
Starting Price: $12,599
The Tracer 9 slots neatly between Yamaha’s flagship sport touring model, the FJR1300ES, and the adventure‑leaning Ténéré 700. With a starting price of $12,599, it delivers features you would expect from a flagship while keeping its performance sporty and its accessibility closer to the Ténéré. It also sits comfortably below heavyweight touring machines like the Honda Gold Wing or the new BMW R 1300 RT. Even without the premium cost, you still get advanced rider aids, sporty performance, and customizable ride modes that are usually reserved for much more expensive motorcycles.
Yamaha Tracer 9 Engine
Powering the Tracer 9 is Yamaha’s well‑known CP3 inline three engine. It shares its platform with the MT‑09, but in this application, it has been tuned for touring comfort and long‑distance usability. The Crossplane Concept three‑cylinder gives you the punchy torque you would expect from a twin while also delivering the high‑rev excitement of a four‑cylinder.
On paper, the numbers are impressive. The 890cc liquid‑cooled DOHC triple produces 117 horsepower at 10,000 RPM and 68.6 pound‑feet of torque at 7,000 RPM. Those figures are backed by engineering details like forged pistons, strong connecting rods, ceramic composite cylinder liners, and offset pistons. The result is an engine that feels eager across the rev range and spins all the way to the redline.
The CP3 Triple Symphony of Accessible Power
The bore and stroke measure 78.0mm by 62.1mm with a compression ratio of 11.5:1, which helps deliver that strong midrange pull. Fuel injection is managed by Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle system, so throttle response always feels precise. The six‑speed transmission comes with an assist and slipper clutch to keep shifts smooth and controlled. Yamaha also pairs the engine with advanced electronic aids, including multiple riding modes and traction control informed by a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
10 Japanese Motorcycles That Are Simple, Reliable, And Affordable To Own
These ten Japanese motorcycles want fuel, timely preventive maintenance, and not much else to keep running
Yamaha Tracer 9 Chassis
The chassis is where Yamaha shows how the Tracer 9 strikes the perfect balance between agility and touring stability. Its diamond‑type aluminum frame reduces weight while increasing rigidity, giving the bike a nimble character without sacrificing confidence when the road gets demanding. Compared to the heavier steel trellis frames used by some competitors, this design makes the Tracer 9 feel noticeably lighter and more responsive.
Even though the foundation comes from sports bike DNA, Yamaha has tuned it for touring duty with longer‑travel suspension that makes everyday riding more comfortable. The suspension complements the frame perfectly. Both ends are adjustable for preload and rebound damping, so you can dial in the ride to your preference. Up front, KYB 41 mm inverted forks provide 5.1 inches of travel, while the rear uses a KYB single shock with 5.2 inches of travel.
Seventeen‑inch rims at both ends, paired with sporty tire sizes, keep the Tracer 9 planted on the road. Braking is handled by twin 298 mm discs at the front with radially mounted four‑piston calipers, while the rear uses a 267 mm disc with a single‑piston caliper. You notice the difference right away. Whether you are easing through a parking lot or making a quick mid‑corner correction, the relatively low weight of 483 pounds feels like a big advantage.
The Most Aggressive-Looking Japanese Sports Bike In 2025
Honda’s flagship CBR trumps all of its Japanese rivals to look the part in 2025
Yamaha Tracer 9 Features
Luxury is not just about comfort; it is also about technology. Yamaha knows this well, which is why the Tracer 9 comes packed with features. In other markets, Yamaha offers the GT and GT Plus versions, which add semi‑active suspension, a quickshifter, heated grips, radar‑guided adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and even a linked braking system. Those trims are not available in the U.S. for 2025, but the standard Tracer 9 still brings plenty to the table.
Feels Premium Without the Price
At the center of its electronics package is a six‑axis IMU. This clever unit unlocks five ride modes, including two that you can tailor to your own preferences. Cruise control comes standard thanks to the ride‑by‑wire throttle, and the IMU adds another layer of reassurance by powering systems such as traction control, slide control, wheelie control, and back slip regulation. All of these features work quietly in the background, giving you confidence and comfort no matter where the road takes you.
Yamaha Tracer 9 Competitions
The Tracer 9 lives in the middleweight sport touring segment. Its main rivals are the Honda NT1100 DCT, BMW F 900 XR, and Triumph Tiger 900 GT. What makes the Yamaha stand out is its triple‑cylinder engine, advanced electronics, and touring comfort, all wrapped up in a package that feels premium yet approachable.
Take the Honda NT1100 DCT, for example. It brings a larger engine and the convenience of an automatic gearbox, which is great if you want a relaxed ride. But it is heavier and does not deliver the same punch as the Yamaha. The BMW XR is another strong contender. It is sleek, sporty, and powered by a parallel twin, making it one of the most capable machines in this class.
Yamaha Tracer 9 vs Rivals
|
Feature |
Yamaha Tracer 9 |
Honda NT1100 DCT |
BMW F 900 XR |
Triumph Tiger 900 GT |
|
Price |
$12,599 |
$11,899 |
$11,995 |
$15,195 |
|
Engine |
890cc liquid-cooled, inline triple |
1084cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin |
895cc 270-degree parallel twin |
888cc liquid-cooled, inline triple |
|
Power |
117 HP |
100 HP |
105 HP |
106.5 HP |
|
Torque |
68.6 LB-FT |
80 LB-FT |
68 LB-FT |
66.4 LB-FT |
Sources: Yamaha Motorsports
It’s interesting how the post highlights that you don’t have to jump into heavyweight touring territory to get a genuinely comfortable long-distance experience. The shift toward lighter, tech-focused sport-touring machines really shows how rider priorities are evolving, especially for people who want practicality without sacrificing comfort. It’s a refreshing reminder that ‘luxury’ on two wheels doesn’t always have to mean oversized or overpriced.