Yamaha Tracer 700 launch

20th April 2016

MT-07 | Touring motorcycle | £6,299 | 689cc

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Yamaha has announced details of its new Tracer 700. Based upon the current MT-07, this 689cc, 6-speed, 75hp (@ 9,000rpm) liquid-cooled parallel twin is aimed squarely at the touring market and features a 50mm longer swinging arm, a 17-litre fuel tank (up from 14-litres on the MT-07), dual headlights, a stepped saddle, pillion grab handles, and a more upright riding position. Buyers can opt for 20-litres of soft luggage and/or a 39-litre top box.

The suspension characteristics have, we understand, been revised to provide exactly the kind of ride you might expect when you're planning to spend all day in the saddle. Travel (front and rear) is 130mm.

The basic engine architecture is exactly what was anticipated; a DOHC, 4-stroke, 4-valve, 270-degree crank parallel twin. With a bore of 80mm, a stroke of 68.6 mm, and a compression ratio of 11.5:1, the Tracer is promising a maximum torque figure of 50 lbs-ft (68Nm) @ 6,500 rpm

The brakes are twin 4-piston calipers on 282mm discs up front, with a 245mm disc at the rear. The tyres are 17-inchers front and rear (120/70 R17, and 180/55 R17 respectively.

The saddle height, incidentally, is said to be 32.5-inches (835mm), and that's a pretty steep climb for plenty of riders. But you'd better straddle one and check it out in the only reliable way. Mere height isn't the only issue. As ever, you need to consider width, comfort and path-to-ground.

The wheelbase is 57.1 inches (1,450 mm). The minimum ground clearance is 5.5 inches (140mm). And the weight (wet) is a claimed 432lbs (196kg).

Overall, you're not likely burst any blood vessels with this bike. It's a general all-rounder with touring aspirations, and at first glance it looks like Yamaha has got a decent package for the wider market.

The launch of this bike is hardly a surprise, however. It's been on the cards since mid-2015 and was expected to be called the MT-07 Tracer. But for reasons unclear, Yamaha has apparently dropped the MT-07 appellation.

The bike goes on sale this July (2016) and carries a £6,299 price tag. The colours are red or blue.

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