Road test of YamahaMT-07 700 TRACER 2016 Road mice

do you still get that little shiver when you press the starter button? Especially when you've had the same bike for years... There's no substitute for that light, intrepid feeling when the engine springs to life, heralding emotions and feelings for the day's few enticing kilometers (or hundreds). It may fade, but it's there every time you try out a new machine. Let's share this moment with the new 700 Tracer.
Yamaha has taken the recipe from the MT-09 and its 900 Tracer derivative to create an MT-07 that's ready to travel, with a spirit that's half crossover, half road bike. The heart taps while the twin seeks its explosions for the time of a sigh. The little Tracer comes to life, but the excitement has to take a back seat. The test will be short, with the rider in 'analysis mode' for these few moments of discovery. More time would have allowed so much more to be shared.
Because discovery and surprises go hand in hand with the 700 Tracer. If you immediately draw a parallel with its big sister, the 900, an afternoon with it makes it obvious: they have nothing, absolutely NOTHING, to do with each other.

as soon as you climb aboard, you feel the other side of the Tracer Valley. It's easy to straddle the bike, to get your bearings, and the fork-head cladding imposes its rightful stature. Well-calibrated, neither too imposing nor too frail, it really gives the machine its cachet, gratifying the slender MT-07 with a poise perfectly in tune with its vocation. However, the impression of sturdiness and quality evoked by the 900 is nowhere to be found. Given its price position, and in order not to overshadow its big sister, it's only natural that the 700 should be more down-market. Overall quality, however, is more than adequate, with faultless assembly and uncritical finish. Just an impression that floats around. However, it's hard not to wince at the hastily-fitted expansion tank cover; at the 125-style controls; and at the equipment... Two slots for 12V accessory sockets and none installed in series?! It's more than a little petty, especially at a time when we charge our smartphones twice a day, and when anyone who wants to get away from it all starts by plugging in their GPS before riding. All the more so since a support bar is fixed to the middle of the handlebars for easy installation of an electronic guide. Where do I plug it in next?
The bubble adjustment system, on the other hand, gets high marks. Two easy-to-turn knobs and a multitude of little notches for height adjustment. The 900 could do with some inspiration. The two small handguards are of imaginary effectiveness, but add an undeniable and indispensable touch of class. The seat is good, not too high, with the feet just a little on edge. And all the while, a timid honk commits you to spinning the wheels more than your brains.

we twirl! That's the simplest and most obvious definition for the crew of a 700 Tracer. From the MT-07, this tourer has retained all the lightness of spirit, the joy of the engine and the ease of use. A delight to ride, it takes no more than 10 seconds to get to grips with, and is ready to go anywhere. In town, it slips by like a cat. It's a little less smooth than the roadster, thanks to a fairing that encourages greater restraint, but that's all to the good. A tight U-turn? A little look, not too much speed, and it swivels all by itself. Some bikes are more difficult. The motor is as smooth as ever for beginners and low-speed maneuvers. Only its vocals seem too muffled for the bike's overall pace. On an MT-07, this is appropriate, but here the sound lacks depth.

available and non-violent at low revs, the 689 cm3 CP2 is easy to ride. Without too many watts and with the right torque, it's never overwhelmed, or surprised by excessive wrist movement. The result is a smooth ride downtown. Unlike the MT-09, eager to bite at every throttle.
The story changes when you polish up the twin. It revs without delay, without aggression; then, once past the 7,000 rpm mark, it becomes impatient and tickles the high revs. A second face that's exhilarating, cheeky and playful. The rider can then take the full measure of a machine that's always ready to serve and ready to have fun as soon as it's provoked a little. The twin-cylinder's enthusiasm suffers only slightly from the extra weight of the Tracer concept, but not enough to make a real difference.

where I was expecting the 700 Tracer to turn a corner (so to speak) was in its handling. The 900 didn't shy away from 'light' reactions, lacking in rigor. Would the younger sister suffer from the same shortcomings?
To my pleasant surprise, the Tracer's engine is not at all lazy and prolix with rpm, and above all, it doesn't budge. At speeds where the 900 starts to wobble, the 700 keeps its course and its wheels firmly in line. Its dynamic quietude needs to be put into perspective, taking into account a shock absorber with fewer watts to deal with, a longer wheelbase, and a less exposed rider/handlebar wind front. But it's definitely for the better. This is quickly confirmed on the small, prominent roads of the Bauges. Alert, the streamlined MT-07 hardly suffers from the extra 14 kilos of its mutation. Above all, the suspension feels much better held in place by the hydraulics. Whether it's a flick to the left or a hard right, the 700 Tracer knows how to hold its ground and ride with confidence and enthusiasm. It does, however, deserve a better braking feel. The handle is a little hard to grip and lacks velvety feel. Behind, the brake shoes do the job and effectively stop the wheel. The engine brake is present and just right, limiting pad use and allowing a cool/playful rhythm without touching the right-hand lever.

let's take some time to assess how this Yamaha would perform over longer distances. While the bubble offers an obvious increase in protection, especially for the chest, it won't be much help for the helmet. The seat is a little too firm, and the design of the bottom of the tank spreads your thighs quite a bit, while your knees are a little lost in the void. If the photo posture looks identical on a 700 and a 900 Tracer, the rider can't mistake one for the other. The 900 is more of a crossover, with arms outstretched and chest upright. The 700 brings the rider closer to the handlebars, in a touring position.
The Tracer uses the same speedometer as the MT-07. No surprises there. The emphasis is on speed, gear and fuel quantity. Engine speed is displayed as the second lieutenant. The twin is sufficiently communicative to lead it to sensation rather than to a sad bar graph.

what does the passenger think? Too little time to have an invariable opinion, but already some leads. After grabbing the pretty rear grips, Mathieu rightly points out that he has no problem gripping them, that they're quite nice, but their tapered shape makes his hand slip. A return to the fairing would prevent him from accidentally letting go. Another tricky point is the bevelled shape of the handlebars' edges, which can pose a problem over long distances: they become almost protruding under hard acceleration, and bruise the hands if they're wearing thin gloves. To be tested and confirmed on a long or hard ride.

the test flew by. We're back with a smile from a ride on the Yamaha 700 Tracer. With its instinctive handling, lively, playful engine and obvious versatility, this is definitely an excellent bike from Yamaha. However, you can't get rid of a slight aftertaste when you step out of the saddle. Yes, the damping has improved considerably since the MT-07 roadster, but it's still a little too dry at the end of the ride. Yes, the styling and modifications make it a very pleasant tourer; but the equipment is a bit lacklustre compared to a 900 Tracer or competitors in the same segment (no 12-volt socket or suitcase supports as standard, impossible to install a center stand). Its geometry makes it less agile (but just a little) than the standard MT-07 - which goes hand in hand with its philosophy, and no one will hold it against it. Then there's the price, ideally positioned between the roadster and its big brother, the 900 Tracer. Except that... for an experienced rider, the 900 will prove a more judicious choice in terms of price/equipment/pleasure/performance.
Faced with a 650 Versys, the Yam may find it difficult to impose itself. On the other hand, orbiting at 8,000 euros and with a bit more equipment, Yamaha would have eliminated a lot of hesitation when it came time to write the cheque.