Yamaha Tracer 700 Unveiled

Yamaha Reveal Smaller Tracer

Looking for a bike to do a bit of touring on but in a smaller package? Well, Yamaha may have just created the bike for you, with the announcement of the MT-07 based Tracer 700.

We rode the MT-09 and the 900 Tracer recently for a test in BRM and there’s no denying the Tracer variant works really well as a touring option using the MT-09 as a base. With the MT-07 being a stunning bike in itself (especially in the LAMS variant), there’s no reason why the smaller Tracer won’t be just as good of a transformation.

Looking a bit adventure, the Tracer 700 is aimed directly at the road rider with the inline twin-cylinder powerplant, wheels, brakes and suspension the same as the naked MT-07. The frame is slightly modified for the new bike, the seat is higher and the swingarm longer, giving the new bike more room than the diminutive MT-07. That’ll make it more comfortable for longer trips and also easier for pillion duties.

The suspension receives revised settings as you’d expect to deal with the extra weight likely to be put onboard and also to cope with the fact the Tracer is 14kilos heavier than the MT-07, tipping the scales at a claimed 196kilos wet.

Just like the bigger Tracer, the 700 gets stylish hand guards which offer a bit of protection from the elements, an adjustable screen and a bigger 17-litre tank. With the parallel-twin extremely frugal, that should make the distance between fill-ups long enough for touring.

There are rumours of something a bit more exciting, with a Ténéré 700 tipped to be unveiled later this year. With many manufacturers going down the modular route and using the same basic running gear to produce different variants of motorcycle, we’d have to say that the rumour has to be quite likely. And that would certainly be a fun bike to take down the South Island for some adventure!