Moto test: Yamaha Tracer 700 // European Japanese

Yamaha does not stop there and this season has offered the market the updated bestseller Tracer 700, which we were one of the first to test exclusively in the Canary Islands. The sports and touring segment of Yamaha's sales cake accounts for 21%, second largest after 42% of the so-called simplified high-performance motorcycle segment.... So it is close to the hearts of buyers. The Tracer family, which saw the light of day in 2015 with the 900, was followed by the Tracer 700 the following year, and the larger version was updated in 2018, so it had a total of 2019 customers by 73.000. Most of all in Europe.

Tracer is basically a European story: the design is developed at Yamaha headquarters in the Netherlands, the chassis is developed in their development center in Italy, and the design comes from there, they do it even in Europe - at the MBK plant in France. In addition to the name, there is something Japanese? Yes it is. The CP2 unit is the first of this family to comply with the Euro5 environmental standard. The 689cc twin-cylinder unit received many changes before being installed in this year's Tracer, such as forged pistons, an all-new fuel and air injection system, and reduced control valve friction. The unit has a power of 54 kW and, above all, impresses with its torque and performance.

More than 2.000 meters

In Tenerife, a test route took us from zero altitude in the seaside town of Buenavista del Norte along winding paths through the town of Puerta de la Cruz up to 2.200 meters above sea level to the foot of the active El Teide Volcano a century ago (3.719 meters above sea level seas). Part of the route took us along the sea on the highway, where I could also try the manually adjustable front guard, which, despite its narrower design, provides sufficient protection. However, the real joy began when we started to climb to the top of the island. The roads in Tenerife are simply fabulous, the asphalt is stroked like a child's bottom, due to the eternal spring, but the grip is like glue.

To driving position it is 34 millimeters wider than its predecessor and therefore provides better control over the motorcycle. “I had to get used to it for a while, and for many miles Tracer and I became true friends. Also thanks to a new seat design that provides stability even in tight corners. Thus, the driver does not slide back and forth. I like the updated design of the Tracer house with sharp edges and a pair of new LED headlights. The driver's workspace is defined by a new instrument panel, also redesigned, now with a black base and white dials that are fairly easy to navigate using the controls on the left side of the steering wheel in the menus. with different information.

The weather in Tenerife is changing rapidly, and after a sunny morning, we drove in the rain around noon. But even on wet roads, the Tracer is stable and manageable.

Back to the sea

The plain at the top of the island is volcanically barren and devoid of vegetation. We got out of the rain on a sun-drenched plateau, and then descended to the sea on the other side of the island. If we were taking the more closed corners on the north side and driving in third or fourth gear, going south was like an adrenaline rush on a bobsleigh track. The long, smooth turns in fifth and sixth gear, mostly among the conifers along the road, gave the Tracer a real treat., especially from the fact that it was getting warmer towards the sea. The landscape is fabulous. The bike shifted smoothly even in these turns, which was also aided by the wider handlebars mentioned earlier.

With the preloaded Yamaha My Ride app, you can track your driving progress, acceleration, braking, lean angle and more. An interesting event was a trip along a narrow serpentine road past the historic village of Masca, about which there are urban myths that it served as a refuge for pirates until the 15th century. Well, Tracer will not be dedicated to this, but it will certainly be of interest to those riders who want an affordable and unpretentious motorcycle, enjoying the ride and discovering the world immensely.... They will be pleased with the low consumption, which in the test was just over 5 liters per hundred kilometers.

For those who would like to tailor the Tracer to their desires, Yamaha offers several options for optional equipment - Sport, Travel weekend and Urban. The new Tracer 700 will also be available in a 35 kW version.

• Basic data

  Sales: Yamaha Motor dating in Slovenia, Delta Team doo

  Base model price: € 8.695,00 XNUMX

• Technical information

  engine: two-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 689 cm3

  Power: 54 kW (75 km) at 8.750 rpm

  Torque: 67,0 Nm at 6.500 rpm

  Energy transfer: six-speed gearbox, chain

  Frame: steel pipe

  brakes: front disc 282 mm, rear disc 245 mm, ABS

  Suspension: front adjustable telescopic fork, rear swingarm with central shock absorber

  Tires: 120/70 17, 180/55 17

  Growth: 835 mm

  Fuel tank: 17

  Wheelbase: 1.460 mm

  Weight: 196 kg (ready to ride)