I've just watched both videos as I'm looking at buying a bike after a 30+year sabatical from bikes. To be honest I had never heard of a tracer 700 until about an hour before watching these. As a first bike after all these years it seems to be the ideal one to buy. Comfortable riding position, plenty of power without being a rocketship, fairly light and nimble, can take a bit of luggage, economical and not bad looking. Great videos explaining the pros and cons.
@@SamVBikes tbh I don't fancy the idea of cruise control on a bike. There's one for sale near me, 20,000 miles. £4995. Full luggage etc. vgc. I'm quite tempted.
thanks for mentioning mpg on the bike. I know most bikers will say it doesn't matter but for people without unlimited budget it's nice to know how much a trip on this would cost. so thanks!
Sam, I agree with you totally. I bought my MT07 new in 2017 because the tracer is too tall for my short legs. I have toured with it, the furthest being Croatia and Slovenia that year from Devon. I bought it for the same reasons as you, the lightest most powerful and economical that I could find in that size of bike. Fitted progressive springs to the front and replaced the mono shock with an adjustable unit. My brakes however seam fine to me, it's just the seat that is a bit of a pain on the early MT's. I have been looking at replacement bikes but will probably stick with what I have for now. Enjoyed the video. Mike.
Good effort with that distance on a naked bike! Credit to you! Yeah I think the brakes might just have needed a bit more because of the weight of the bike compared to the Mt07. I have a topbox and regularly have luggage.. plus I've got a bit more weight haha! My mate had a 2017 mt07 and said the same about the seat! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Ive had an mt-10,mt-09 tracer,and i had mt-07 for 5 years,which i loved,and was gutted that i had to sell it because of covid, ive just bought a mt-07 tracer and I get it tomorrow, all the others were just to quick,i find the mt-07 engine absolutely perfect for our roads,The only criticism of the tracer ive just bought is the colour,lol,its grey primer and then yamaha decided to laquer it,but i can soon remedy the colour 😂, i like your reviews very informative, keep up the good work mate,maybe we might even bump into each other one of these days,safe riding sam,daz.
Ahh nice congratulations on the new bike! The Tracers are such capable bikes. I loved mine! 38k miles and it never skipped a beat! Thank you for watching! Glad my reviews have been helpful to you! Safe riding
Cheers Paul! They are great, but might be worth trying the 900 if you're used to the power and delivery of the 650R. If you're not as worried about that, these are cracking bikes for the money!
Great video, just as the 5 negatives one. I just really enjoy hearing someone enjoy the bike as much as I do and I also mostly agreed with the negatives. It's just one of the most enjoyable bikes around. My first bike was a Yamaha fz6 Fazer s2 which I loved as well, but the 4 cilinder engine with it's high powerband just wasn't doing it for me. With this bike however, everytime I jump on it I just have a huge smile on my face. One day I might upgrade to something like the Tracer 9(00) but for now I'm still in love with that CP2 engine. Cheers!
Thank you! I agree. A friend of mine has a Fazer 8 with the inline 4, and I think the CP2 engine makes it so much more fun and usable at normal speeds. The fazer seems to need to be in top end of the revs to go anywhere! Thanks for watching!
Agree on every point. Ride my 2017 model for 56000km and I am not willing to trade it in. Just ordered new spensions from Wilbers. Even tough I tested some better bikes (GS, Ninja 1000, Tiger 900, VStrom 1000, and some more) I did not find a bike that I can ride so effortlessly and with that much fun. They have better technology, have more power, have the latest fancy gadgets but are not as fun for my riding around town, commuting, on the B roads and I even did a 5000km trip with 80 cols in the Alps. It definitels is a keeper. Even if it at some point will only be the "Winterbike". The two negatives are windprotection and the suspension.
Love hearing that someone is having the same experience as I am! Can you please keep me updated on the Wilbers suspension? Would love to know how you find it! I've upgraded the springs in the front shocks and put heavier weight oil in but open to other options. I did a video last week on the negatives and the suspension is one of them. Screen wise, I went for a PUIG tall screen and that has helped but not perfect. Love the bike! Thanks for watching
@@SamVBikes I will gett the Wilbers in two weeks. Bought them on friday. Windscreen wise I have the big Givi windscreen with a silly looking diffuser on top. It works ok but the Givi is not really wide enough. 5 cm more in every direction and it would be perfect. But I am searching good comfort for long highway rides. Did some Iron Butt rides on it for fun. Now - been there, done that - I went to the Alps and manages that also brilliantly. I does it all so well. The motor still makes me smile. It has the right amount of power. Pleasure increases with the time you can really fully open the trottle while going fast.
Sounds like you're having the same problem as I am! I have the diffuser too haha. I agree! I took this one up to Scotland and had so much fun darting through the lanes. It's lightweight and punchy coming out of the corners yet it was super comfortable on the 7 hour ride up there!
@@SamVBikes Hey, I little roundup from the Wilbers supension. I have the 640 model and the progressive springs with the Wilbers oil. First of all I had to change the original bearings. They where completely fucked and rusted. I ride year round but that should not happen. I changed the bearings and mounted the suspension. An easy fix. New oil for the forks was done the same moment. What can report? They are wort every penny!!! The bike handles better, rides much faster in comfort and critical breaking is no issue any more. I brake harder, better and more precise than before. I come from MTB DH and know how to brake. I am now able to ride the bike to the full potentiel without being scared at any moment. Especially when the road is a little "wobbly". I have now done a little ower 1000 miles with them. They seam to become better with time. Cheers.
@@Kohlmeisenracingteam Thank you so much for remembering to get back to me on those! Was thinking about this the other day when I scrolled back past your previous comment. Fantastic to hear that its made such a difference! The rear shock is definitely on the cards next! Might just have to get the wallet out and do some ordering! Thanks again
Sam I have to congratulate you on the quality of your videos. The footage is clear and well narrated, you make it clear that these are your opinions formed from owning and riding the bike, however I found your opinions to be very useful in helping me to pick my next bike which it looks very much like it will be a Tracer 700. I do have a question or two though. I see that you are using a go pro, how and where is it mounted? Many thanks.
Thank you very much! Means a lot that you took the time to mention that! Tracer 700 is a cracking bike and if you do a few small modifications, it's even better! The GoPro is on the chin of my helmet. I use SuGru which is an adhesive putty to create a decent mount point although you can get purpose built ones! I had a camera facing me in later vids which was coming off a sticky pad on the plastic behind the screen! Hope that helps
"nimble"? Yes, sure. But be aware what you compare. Tracer has a 17'' front-wheel (which likes to follow EVERY line) and V-Strom has 19'' (much more stability). Besides: the CP2 is really excellent at any RPM!
Great reviews and very helpful, thanks for these 🍻 I’m looking to sell my Tiger Sport 1050 and go back to something more practical/economical/ useable in a midsized bike, for my 200klm daily round trip commuting, daily running around and occasional touring/camping. The new Tracer 7 is my main front runner so far, but something like the V-Strom 650XT could also be a viable option. Would you have any insights/observations/considerations on these two bikes that you might help me out with making a decision? 🙏
Thanks Robert! They are great bikes, and if you can afford to stretch to the new model, it's got all the little upgrades which I pointed out in my negatives
Hello Sam Thanks for those reviews on owning a Tracer I’m pretty sold on getting one as after my 50th birthday last year my mid life crisis has determined I get back on bikes (last bike I road was a Yamaha DT 125 in 1989) and go have some adventures. Anyway my question is some other people have mentioned there spines almost shattering going over speed bumps or hitting potholes due to the rear shock, have you found it’s a back breaker at all?
Hey Matt, hope you're well and thanks for the comment! Great to hear you're getting back on two wheels - You won't regret it! In answer to your question, I personally thought the rear suspension was a bit soft from factory and would find it bottoms out hitting a big bump/pothole so I wonder if that's why people find it a bit jarring. I wound the preload up a few clicks to help with the off road side of things/stop mid corner bounce and it's been great ever since. The big big ones still give you a bit of a jolt but my mates on their bikes yelp much louder than I do! Hope that helps! P.s. I did a 5 bad points review as well! Definitely worth a watch
I just bought one of these as it was too good of a price to let go.. but the more I ride it the more I love it.. I don't know why but damn it's a really good bike haha
Nice analysis Sam, particularly of your reasons for choosing the Tracer over the alternatives. I think I need to sit on one - I'm looking for a lighter, more comfy ie more upright riding position to my VFR. Cheers Mike
Thank you! It's definitely something worse considering, especially in it's new guise with the updated brakes/suspension etc. If you're used to the VFR's power, it might be worth casting your eye over the new Tracer9 too! Thanks for watching
@@SamVBikes - thanks for your response Sam. I don't know if anyone else has ever mentioned it but "Vincent" is a spot on name for a motorcyclist, particularly for one that enjoys getting a bit of wiggle on as the Vincent Motorcycle Company used to make the world's fastest motorcycle!
Thank you! They are Rizoma Mirrors not specifically designed for the Tracer. Really cheap too! They might be fake versions because they were only around £40 but they work really well!
These are Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs which are slightly off road tyres. If you're looking for tyres which handle well in the wet, I'd suggest the Michelin Road 5s. I have a review on my channel if you scroll back! Hope that helps
Hi mate, I’m a new rider at the young age of 52. My current bike is a Honda cb500x. Great beginner bike but lacks torque & excitement. The tracer 700 seems to be any abundance of both those things. Am I right that the tracer has plenty of torque across all gears? There isn’t as many around down under in Oz. Thanks Jas.
Hey Jas! The Tracer 700 is a great bike. Plenty of pull in all the gears if you're in a decent rev range. The only thing I'd say is the Tracers power isn't a huge jump from the CB500X. It will definitely be noticeable but if you're looking for more speed and excitement, might be worth looking at the bikes that have closer to 90/95Bhp, or even considering the Tracer 900 if you're feeling confident. Not sure how long you've been riding. Having said that, the Tracer 7 still has ample power to get around town, sit on motorways and have some fun on. Great lightweight bikes that you can flick around! Hope that helps!
I am really thinking about buying one but because it is my first bike I have to put the power down to 48 horse power or a maximum of 35 kw. After 2 years I wanna open it, would u still recommend it with less power?
I look just over it with the addition. I couldn't bare to look through it, especially when it's dirty! It's not perfect with wind protection but a lot better than standard!
Thanks Sam Next quick question. I’m looking to get 1st bike when I can test ride a few, passed test in Dec just before lockdown. As I’m 6 foot I fancy a tallish bike cos I don’t want to be cramped or riding in a sporty position. How do you find the Tracer?
Congrats on passing! The tracer is a perfect first bike. Enough power to keep you happy, and plenty of space. I'm around 5ft9/5ft10 and I'm flat foot on both sides. But there's plenty of room for more. I've never had any issues with being uncomfortable or legs aching from being too tucked up!
I'm just looking for my first big bike after I pass direct access course.. I want to commute and do some tours too, and I'm so stuck between the Suzuki v Strom 650 and tracer 700! I'm probably just at the point where I need to try them both for myself to make a decision. Hope you don't mind but I have quite a few questions and would appreciate any feedback you have time for! how tall you are and how the tracer is for your height? Also, how comfortable is the seat and riding position for long rides? How much does it cost to change the front and rear suspension, and is that something an average person can do, with some basic bike maintenance experience? How much was it to switch out the front brakes? Ive also seen in other reviews that there's not so much weather protection on the tracer; I'm not sure if that was referring to the small fairing/front end, or the windshield... But how have you found it? Have you had any feedback on what's it's like for a pillion? Thanks for your videos man, extremely helpful, and appreciate the time you put into it!
Good luck with your course! And great choice of 2 starter bikes. Happy to help with the questions - long reply below, grab a coffee! haha The V-strom is a great bike. Test rode the previous shape before I bought mine, then test rode the newer shape one when my girlfriend was looking at her first bike. In my opinion, they are very similar, but the Vstrom seemed to hold a lot more of its weight higher up, and was a taller bike too, which is ultimately what swayed it for me. Same reason my girlfriend went for the NC750X too as it was pretty heavy up top. I couldn't really notice much power difference so that's a plus. The LCD screen on the Tracer looks a lot nicer too, with the Vstrom having an older style set of clocks. Having said that, I think the suspension was better on the Vstrom. I'm around 5ft9inches, with a 31 inch leg, so the Tracer was a bit more manageable around town, in stop start traffic and squeezing through gaps etc. I can comfortably flat foot it too whereas the Vstrom was more tip-toed. Long journey wise, I've never had a problem. Regularly do a 250mile+ each way trip to Cornwall to see my parents on it, and have done Scotland trips etc with very little discomfort, also it comfortably deals with motorway speeds (and more) loaded with a topbox, roll bags, and two panniers, even with a pillion! There's plenty of space on the seat to move around too so you can move around if you get a numb cheek! Riding position is comfortable too, just set up the bars where you want them and its comfortable. Plenty of space to stretch your legs to the ground too if you do get achey. Front suspension is the only one you would really need to do. I cranked the rear suspension preload up a few clicks to make it stiffer which helped a lot. You can do the front suspension yourself, but it's just down to confidence. It's pretty simple -forks out, undo caps, drain fluid (Measure amount!), pull out springs, replace with new springs, then refill and reassemble. Cost me about £140 to do but you can easily spend more if you wanted even better suspension. Rear shocks on most bikes will start to go soft with mileage which is the reason I'm looking at doing mine. Fully adjustable high performance shocks are around £300-£400 for most. Unless you want Ohlins which will double that! Front brakes - Pads which made a big difference was about £40 for the whole set. Considering its around £30 for a whole set of standard pads, this was a no-brainer. Discs were around £300 for the set, but again you don't need to go Brembo, that was purely because they were about £40 more than direct Yamaha replacement and... hey... I can say I have Brembo's haha! Wind protection with the stock screen isn't incredible. It does an okay job but not amazing. I've heard the touring screen Yamaha do is pretty good but looks ugly in my opinion with the wings at the bottom. I went for the bigger PUIG screen which works pretty well. To be honest I've never had an issue with wind protection, never get neck ache or anything, but if you compared it to the bubble of calm you get on a Triumph Tiger or GS, you can notice the difference. Pillion wise, my girlfriend has been on the back a number of times, for quite long journeys too. I have a topbox with some pads on which made things better as she could relax a little more. She was a bit achey after the Cornwall trip but she had very little on bike experience before that. Never moaned about the seat or an aching arse! Hope that helps! Definitely a good shout to ride them both though as I know these are all my experiences! Let me know what you end up going for!!
The kawasaki Versys is catching my eye now aswell! i thought it was hard enough choosing between 2. I am very swayed by the lighter tracer 700 though; especially in the new 2020 style, where they have made the front suspension better as standard
I havent ridden the new versys, only the old one with the single headlight. Didn't really like it but the new one could be good. If you have the budget to go for the new tracer, that's meant to be a great bike. Basically upgraded all the small issues I have with mine!
Hey! Mine used to kick in at anything over 100! Normally running temps were around 98 if I remember but it went over 100 after hard riding, or on hot days! I'd check your Coolant level and oil level but sounds pretty normal to me
Maybe it's something to do with wind protection/cleaning up the amount of drag on the bike. My mate could never get the same mpg as I could on his MT07 either!
@@SamVBikes oh i see maybe i made a mistake getting the MT instead then but my finance agreement comes to an end in march so might change to the tracer
I've just watched both videos as I'm looking at buying a bike after a 30+year sabatical from bikes. To be honest I had never heard of a tracer 700 until about an hour before watching these. As a first bike after all these years it seems to be the ideal one to buy. Comfortable riding position, plenty of power without being a rocketship, fairly light and nimble, can take a bit of luggage, economical and not bad looking. Great videos explaining the pros and cons.
Honestly, it's such a perfect bike. It misses out on some really good tech like cruise control but for the most part, it's an absolute gem of a bike
@@SamVBikes tbh I don't fancy the idea of cruise control on a bike. There's one for sale near me, 20,000 miles. £4995. Full luggage etc. vgc. I'm quite tempted.
I tested many bikes, this was the best, simple as that. Compact, great motor, great power, economy is great, most fun to ride.
Definitely best in its class! So much more character than others!
thanks for mentioning mpg on the bike. I know most bikers will say it doesn't matter but for people without unlimited budget it's nice to know how much a trip on this would cost. so thanks!
No problem! It's a touring type bike at the lower end of the market.. those pennies matter! They definitely did to me! Thanks for watching!
Sam, I agree with you totally. I bought my MT07 new in 2017 because the tracer is too tall for my short legs. I have toured with it, the furthest being Croatia and Slovenia that year from Devon. I bought it for the same reasons as you, the lightest most powerful and economical that I could find in that size of bike. Fitted progressive springs to the front and replaced the mono shock with an adjustable unit. My brakes however seam fine to me, it's just the seat that is a bit of a pain on the early MT's. I have been looking at replacement bikes but will probably stick with what I have for now. Enjoyed the video. Mike.
Good effort with that distance on a naked bike! Credit to you! Yeah I think the brakes might just have needed a bit more because of the weight of the bike compared to the Mt07. I have a topbox and regularly have luggage.. plus I've got a bit more weight haha! My mate had a 2017 mt07 and said the same about the seat! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Ive had an mt-10,mt-09 tracer,and i had mt-07 for 5 years,which i loved,and was gutted that i had to sell it because of covid, ive just bought a mt-07 tracer and I get it tomorrow, all the others were just to quick,i find the mt-07 engine absolutely perfect for our roads,The only criticism of the tracer ive just bought is the colour,lol,its grey primer and then yamaha decided to laquer it,but i can soon remedy the colour 😂, i like your reviews very informative, keep up the good work mate,maybe we might even bump into each other one of these days,safe riding sam,daz.
Ahh nice congratulations on the new bike! The Tracers are such capable bikes. I loved mine! 38k miles and it never skipped a beat! Thank you for watching! Glad my reviews have been helpful to you! Safe riding
Great review, thanks. Seriously tempted to try one of these as a more comfortable alternative to my CB650R.
Cheers Paul! They are great, but might be worth trying the 900 if you're used to the power and delivery of the 650R. If you're not as worried about that, these are cracking bikes for the money!
Great video, just as the 5 negatives one. I just really enjoy hearing someone enjoy the bike as much as I do and I also mostly agreed with the negatives. It's just one of the most enjoyable bikes around. My first bike was a Yamaha fz6 Fazer s2 which I loved as well, but the 4 cilinder engine with it's high powerband just wasn't doing it for me. With this bike however, everytime I jump on it I just have a huge smile on my face. One day I might upgrade to something like the Tracer 9(00) but for now I'm still in love with that CP2 engine. Cheers!
Thank you! I agree. A friend of mine has a Fazer 8 with the inline 4, and I think the CP2 engine makes it so much more fun and usable at normal speeds. The fazer seems to need to be in top end of the revs to go anywhere! Thanks for watching!
Agree on every point. Ride my 2017 model for 56000km and I am not willing to trade it in. Just ordered new spensions from Wilbers. Even tough I tested some better bikes (GS, Ninja 1000, Tiger 900, VStrom 1000, and some more) I did not find a bike that I can ride so effortlessly and with that much fun. They have better technology, have more power, have the latest fancy gadgets but are not as fun for my riding around town, commuting, on the B roads and I even did a 5000km trip with 80 cols in the Alps. It definitels is a keeper. Even if it at some point will only be the "Winterbike". The two negatives are windprotection and the suspension.
Love hearing that someone is having the same experience as I am! Can you please keep me updated on the Wilbers suspension? Would love to know how you find it! I've upgraded the springs in the front shocks and put heavier weight oil in but open to other options. I did a video last week on the negatives and the suspension is one of them. Screen wise, I went for a PUIG tall screen and that has helped but not perfect. Love the bike! Thanks for watching
@@SamVBikes I will gett the Wilbers in two weeks. Bought them on friday. Windscreen wise I have the big Givi windscreen with a silly looking diffuser on top. It works ok but the Givi is not really wide enough. 5 cm more in every direction and it would be perfect. But I am searching good comfort for long highway rides. Did some Iron Butt rides on it for fun. Now - been there, done that - I went to the Alps and manages that also brilliantly. I does it all so well. The motor still makes me smile. It has the right amount of power. Pleasure increases with the time you can really fully open the trottle while going fast.
Sounds like you're having the same problem as I am! I have the diffuser too haha. I agree! I took this one up to Scotland and had so much fun darting through the lanes. It's lightweight and punchy coming out of the corners yet it was super comfortable on the 7 hour ride up there!
@@SamVBikes Hey, I little roundup from the Wilbers supension. I have the 640 model and the progressive springs with the Wilbers oil. First of all I had to change the original bearings. They where completely fucked and rusted. I ride year round but that should not happen. I changed the bearings and mounted the suspension. An easy fix. New oil for the forks was done the same moment. What can report? They are wort every penny!!! The bike handles better, rides much faster in comfort and critical breaking is no issue any more. I brake harder, better and more precise than before. I come from MTB DH and know how to brake. I am now able to ride the bike to the full potentiel without being scared at any moment. Especially when the road is a little "wobbly". I have now done a little ower 1000 miles with them. They seam to become better with time. Cheers.
@@Kohlmeisenracingteam Thank you so much for remembering to get back to me on those! Was thinking about this the other day when I scrolled back past your previous comment. Fantastic to hear that its made such a difference! The rear shock is definitely on the cards next! Might just have to get the wallet out and do some ordering! Thanks again
Thx Sam great review help me a lot. Greetings from the Netherlands.
My pleasure!
Sam I have to congratulate you on the quality of your videos. The footage is clear and well narrated, you make it clear that these are your opinions formed from owning and riding the bike, however I found your opinions to be very useful in helping me to pick my next bike which it looks very much like it will be a Tracer 700. I do have a question or two though. I see that you are using a go pro, how and where is it mounted?
Many thanks.
Thank you very much! Means a lot that you took the time to mention that!
Tracer 700 is a cracking bike and if you do a few small modifications, it's even better!
The GoPro is on the chin of my helmet. I use SuGru which is an adhesive putty to create a decent mount point although you can get purpose built ones! I had a camera facing me in later vids which was coming off a sticky pad on the plastic behind the screen!
Hope that helps
"nimble"? Yes, sure. But be aware what you compare. Tracer has a 17'' front-wheel (which likes to follow EVERY line) and V-Strom has 19'' (much more stability).
Besides: the CP2 is really excellent at any RPM!
Great reviews and very helpful, thanks for these 🍻
I’m looking to sell my Tiger Sport 1050 and go back to something more practical/economical/ useable in a midsized bike, for my 200klm daily round trip commuting, daily running around and occasional touring/camping.
The new Tracer 7 is my main front runner so far, but something like the V-Strom 650XT could also be a viable option.
Would you have any insights/observations/considerations on these two bikes that you might help me out with making a decision? 🙏
Great review seriously thinking about buying a year old one
Thanks Robert! They are great bikes, and if you can afford to stretch to the new model, it's got all the little upgrades which I pointed out in my negatives
Thanks for this review, really good :)
Thanks for watching 🙌🏼
Tanks for These great vids, youre awesome 👌👌👍
No problem! Thanks for watching 🙌🏼👍🏼
Hello Sam
Thanks for those reviews on owning a Tracer I’m pretty sold on getting one as after my 50th birthday last year my mid life crisis has determined I get back on bikes (last bike I road was a Yamaha DT 125 in 1989) and go have some adventures.
Anyway my question is some other people have mentioned there spines almost shattering going over speed bumps or hitting potholes due to the rear shock, have you found it’s a back breaker at all?
Hey Matt, hope you're well and thanks for the comment! Great to hear you're getting back on two wheels - You won't regret it!
In answer to your question, I personally thought the rear suspension was a bit soft from factory and would find it bottoms out hitting a big bump/pothole so I wonder if that's why people find it a bit jarring. I wound the preload up a few clicks to help with the off road side of things/stop mid corner bounce and it's been great ever since. The big big ones still give you a bit of a jolt but my mates on their bikes yelp much louder than I do! Hope that helps!
P.s. I did a 5 bad points review as well! Definitely worth a watch
I just bought one of these as it was too good of a price to let go.. but the more I ride it the more I love it.. I don't know why but damn it's a really good bike haha
Congrats on the new bike! They are brilliant things. A little tweaking makes them even more capable
Nice analysis Sam, particularly of your reasons for choosing the Tracer over the alternatives. I think I need to sit on one - I'm looking for a lighter, more comfy ie more upright riding position to my VFR. Cheers Mike
Thank you! It's definitely something worse considering, especially in it's new guise with the updated brakes/suspension etc. If you're used to the VFR's power, it might be worth casting your eye over the new Tracer9 too! Thanks for watching
@@SamVBikes - thanks for your response Sam. I don't know if anyone else has ever mentioned it but "Vincent" is a spot on name for a motorcyclist, particularly for one that enjoys getting a bit of wiggle on as the Vincent Motorcycle Company used to make the world's fastest motorcycle!
No problem. Haha yes it is isn't it! I'd love to get my leg over a black shadow!
Love the mirrors on your bike. I have the tracer too and looking to replace the stock mirrors. What brand are they?
Thank you! They are Rizoma Mirrors not specifically designed for the Tracer. Really cheap too! They might be fake versions because they were only around £40 but they work really well!
what tyres do you ride please? I see you driving on wet roads with no worries...
These are Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs which are slightly off road tyres. If you're looking for tyres which handle well in the wet, I'd suggest the Michelin Road 5s. I have a review on my channel if you scroll back! Hope that helps
Love to see some positives, what is your dream bike? ✨
My dream bike changes weekly! But this one is doing it for me at the moment!
@@SamVBikes so dreamy
would you do a comparison between this and the NC750x? be interested to know your thoughts on which is the better bike all round
Sure! I've got a few bits lined up to go live but I'll get that filmed
You can easily google this, they are completely different, and nobody prefers the NC750X.
Hi mate, I’m a new rider at the young age of 52. My current bike is a Honda cb500x. Great beginner bike but lacks torque & excitement. The tracer 700 seems to be any abundance of both those things. Am I right that the tracer has plenty of torque across all gears? There isn’t as many around down under in Oz. Thanks Jas.
Hey Jas! The Tracer 700 is a great bike. Plenty of pull in all the gears if you're in a decent rev range. The only thing I'd say is the Tracers power isn't a huge jump from the CB500X. It will definitely be noticeable but if you're looking for more speed and excitement, might be worth looking at the bikes that have closer to 90/95Bhp, or even considering the Tracer 900 if you're feeling confident. Not sure how long you've been riding. Having said that, the Tracer 7 still has ample power to get around town, sit on motorways and have some fun on. Great lightweight bikes that you can flick around! Hope that helps!
I am really thinking about buying one but because it is my first bike I have to put the power down to 48 horse power or a maximum of 35 kw. After 2 years I wanna open it, would u still recommend it with less power?
I've not ridden one with the limited power but it's a lightweight bike so the lower power shouldn't effect it too much
Hi
How do you get on with the screen?
Do you end up looking over it or through the top of it?
I look just over it with the addition. I couldn't bare to look through it, especially when it's dirty! It's not perfect with wind protection but a lot better than standard!
Thanks Sam
Next quick question. I’m looking to get 1st bike when I can test ride a few, passed test in Dec just before lockdown. As I’m 6 foot I fancy a tallish bike cos I don’t want to be cramped or riding in a sporty position. How do you find the Tracer?
Congrats on passing! The tracer is a perfect first bike. Enough power to keep you happy, and plenty of space. I'm around 5ft9/5ft10 and I'm flat foot on both sides. But there's plenty of room for more. I've never had any issues with being uncomfortable or legs aching from being too tucked up!
Er, where was #5?
I'm just looking for my first big bike after I pass direct access course..
I want to commute and do some tours too, and I'm so stuck between the Suzuki v Strom 650 and tracer 700! I'm probably just at the point where I need to try them both for myself to make a decision.
Hope you don't mind but I have quite a few questions and would appreciate any feedback you have time for!
how tall you are and how the tracer is for your height? Also, how comfortable is the seat and riding position for long rides?
How much does it cost to change the front and rear suspension, and is that something an average person can do, with some basic bike maintenance experience?
How much was it to switch out the front brakes?
Ive also seen in other reviews that there's not so much weather protection on the tracer; I'm not sure if that was referring to the small fairing/front end, or the windshield... But how have you found it?
Have you had any feedback on what's it's like for a pillion?
Thanks for your videos man, extremely helpful, and appreciate the time you put into it!
Good luck with your course! And great choice of 2 starter bikes. Happy to help with the questions - long reply below, grab a coffee! haha
The V-strom is a great bike. Test rode the previous shape before I bought mine, then test rode the newer shape one when my girlfriend was looking at her first bike. In my opinion, they are very similar, but the Vstrom seemed to hold a lot more of its weight higher up, and was a taller bike too, which is ultimately what swayed it for me. Same reason my girlfriend went for the NC750X too as it was pretty heavy up top. I couldn't really notice much power difference so that's a plus. The LCD screen on the Tracer looks a lot nicer too, with the Vstrom having an older style set of clocks. Having said that, I think the suspension was better on the Vstrom.
I'm around 5ft9inches, with a 31 inch leg, so the Tracer was a bit more manageable around town, in stop start traffic and squeezing through gaps etc. I can comfortably flat foot it too whereas the Vstrom was more tip-toed.
Long journey wise, I've never had a problem. Regularly do a 250mile+ each way trip to Cornwall to see my parents on it, and have done Scotland trips etc with very little discomfort, also it comfortably deals with motorway speeds (and more) loaded with a topbox, roll bags, and two panniers, even with a pillion! There's plenty of space on the seat to move around too so you can move around if you get a numb cheek! Riding position is comfortable too, just set up the bars where you want them and its comfortable. Plenty of space to stretch your legs to the ground too if you do get achey.
Front suspension is the only one you would really need to do. I cranked the rear suspension preload up a few clicks to make it stiffer which helped a lot. You can do the front suspension yourself, but it's just down to confidence. It's pretty simple -forks out, undo caps, drain fluid (Measure amount!), pull out springs, replace with new springs, then refill and reassemble. Cost me about £140 to do but you can easily spend more if you wanted even better suspension. Rear shocks on most bikes will start to go soft with mileage which is the reason I'm looking at doing mine. Fully adjustable high performance shocks are around £300-£400 for most. Unless you want Ohlins which will double that!
Front brakes - Pads which made a big difference was about £40 for the whole set. Considering its around £30 for a whole set of standard pads, this was a no-brainer. Discs were around £300 for the set, but again you don't need to go Brembo, that was purely because they were about £40 more than direct Yamaha replacement and... hey... I can say I have Brembo's haha!
Wind protection with the stock screen isn't incredible. It does an okay job but not amazing. I've heard the touring screen Yamaha do is pretty good but looks ugly in my opinion with the wings at the bottom. I went for the bigger PUIG screen which works pretty well. To be honest I've never had an issue with wind protection, never get neck ache or anything, but if you compared it to the bubble of calm you get on a Triumph Tiger or GS, you can notice the difference.
Pillion wise, my girlfriend has been on the back a number of times, for quite long journeys too. I have a topbox with some pads on which made things better as she could relax a little more. She was a bit achey after the Cornwall trip but she had very little on bike experience before that. Never moaned about the seat or an aching arse!
Hope that helps! Definitely a good shout to ride them both though as I know these are all my experiences! Let me know what you end up going for!!
The kawasaki Versys is catching my eye now aswell! i thought it was hard enough choosing between 2.
I am very swayed by the lighter tracer 700 though; especially in the new 2020 style, where they have made the front suspension better as standard
I havent ridden the new versys, only the old one with the single headlight. Didn't really like it but the new one could be good. If you have the budget to go for the new tracer, that's meant to be a great bike. Basically upgraded all the small issues I have with mine!
Would you rather have a tuono?
I enjoy having a fuel gauge personally
@@SamVBikes don't need one
Hello Sam,
Is it normal that the radiator fan off the tracer starts at 106• Celsius ?
Hey! Mine used to kick in at anything over 100! Normally running temps were around 98 if I remember but it went over 100 after hard riding, or on hot days! I'd check your Coolant level and oil level but sounds pretty normal to me
no idea how you get 65mpg , i got an MT 07 and tend to get 59mpg and i usually try to stay in economy mode
Maybe it's something to do with wind protection/cleaning up the amount of drag on the bike. My mate could never get the same mpg as I could on his MT07 either!
@@SamVBikes oh i see maybe i made a mistake getting the MT instead then but my finance agreement comes to an end in march so might change to the tracer
The new Tracer has much improved suspension and brakes so worth giving that a shot if its in budget!
How tall are you?
A lofty 5ft 9inches haha! Around a 31 inch inseam
@@SamVBikes Thx, im 6ft2 myself and maybe willing to buy a tracer 700.