Yamaha Mt-09 Tracer Review

Used Buyer Review

The MT-09 Tracer is one of those bikes that genuinely surprises you. That crossplane triple pulls hard from almost nothing and sounds absolutely savage when you crack it open above 6,000rpm. It's not a refined GT tourer — don't kid yourself — but as a do-everything middleweight it's hard to argue with the value proposition, especially used. Early 2015-2017 models had that notoriously abrupt throttle response that'll catch you out in slow traffic, so check whether the previous owner fitted a throttle tamer or aftermarket ECU map. Most long-term owners did. For used buying, inspect the screen mounting tabs — they crack. Check the suspension linkage bearings because Yamaha used budget seals and they corrode faster than they should at this price point. Front forks go soft around 25,000 miles and revalving is worth budgeting for. The 2018 facelift addressed most of the first-gen frustrations with better electronics and smoother fuelling, so if budget allows, hold out for one of those.