The new 2016 Yamaha Tracer 700 has been announced as a middleweight adventure sports tourer based on the already successful Yamaha MT07 platform. It follows the introduction of the MT09 based Yamaha Tracer 900 which was introduced in 2015.
2016 Yamaha Tracer 700 Engine & Chassis:
The 2016 Yamaha Tracer 700 engine is the same 4-valve, twin-cylinder 689cc unit which featured in the MT-07. The 270-defree crack and uneven firing interval helps with traction as well as acceleration, and the engine aims to give linear torque from low down. For stats lovers, that means 55.0 kW (74.8PS) at 9,000 rpm, together with 68.0 Nm (6.9 kg-m) at 6,500 rpm.
It should be enough for cruising with a pillion and luggage on long distances, without being too intimidating for new riders or commuting in bad weather. And considering many adventure touring bikes pull double duty through towns, that’s a definite plus point.
As with the engine, the Tracer 700 also gets the tubular steel frame of the popular MT-07 which is known to be agile and responsive. Without removing those characteristics, the Tracer does get a 50mm longer swing arm and a total wheelbase of 1450mm to be more stable at high speeds. The suspension has revised settings to suit a wider variety of situations, and stopping comes with ABS as standard for the dual 282mm front discs with 4-pot calipers and the 245mm rear disc.
Combined with the lightweight 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels, the result is a wet weight of 196kg, and an 835mm seat height (10mm lower than the minimum for the Tracer 900, but the 14kg weight saving will also increase rider confidence).
2016 Yamaha Tracer Features:
You don’t want to be stopping every two minutes to refuel when you’re aiming for long distance touring. So the Tracer 700 gets a large capacity 17 litre fuel tank (Just 1 litre less than the 900cc version). And to reduce wind fatigue there’s a manually-adjustable screen, plus knuckle guards with integral indicators. The new one-piece stepped dual seat and pillion bar should be comfy, and illumination comes with dual Tracer-900 style headlights.
As an Adventure Sports Tourer, there’s a range of luggage already announced including 20-litre soft side cases and a 39-litre top case. Plus a higher screen to increase the weather protection. More Yamaha Parts & Accessories will be coming nearer the Tracer 700’s arrival in July 2016.
The Tracer will be available in three colours – RMB (Radical Red), MDNM6 (Tech Black) and DPBM13 (Yamaha Blue). Prices start from £6,299 including on-the-road preparation, number plates, VAT etc, but don’t include first registration fee and VED.
2016 Yamaha Tracer 700 Gallery
So that’s the latest challengers in the ‘Adventure Sports Tourer’ category, which seems to mean a little off-road styling for people who don’t intend to go off-road, but do intend to cover large miles. Or for the middleweight category, anyone looking for a reasonably sensible but still fun option for commuting and weekend jaunts.
And it should do well – the fairing reminds me of the classic Yamaha Fazer and FZ6 which sold plenty during their production runs. And it fills a gap that in the range with the Tenere for those intending to actually head off-road, the more urban street-styled MT-07, and the range of sports classics. What was missing was a nice, sensible all-round middleweight for the more practical among us, and the 2016 Yamaha Tracer 700 seems to fill that gap perfectly whilst using most of the MT-07 parts to avoid the cost of developing an entirely new model.
That could be my next break. Looking to downsize from a V-Strom 1000. If it can do even a little off roading, I’d be all over that.