Over due update

I had been missing for a few months due to health issues. But I am back up and will keep this journal going on!

Here are some things I done recently and riding plans

Changed oil & coolant, swapped handlebar, purchase an auxiliary switch, decided on panniers and ordered mirror extenders

Stay tuned!

JDM vs European vs Americian Market Tracers

Here are the “spot the difference” as far as I know:

• JDM/Asia & EU are by large very similar and shares the same part numbers while USA/CA uses another set of part numbers
• USA uses amber indicators while JDM & Europe uses Clear indicator case
• JDM/EU not have front reflectors and uses amber tail reflectors while USA has rectangular amber reflectors on the fork and red tail
• Only JDM models have helmet hangers come equipped, but do not have clutch case savers
• USA/ JDM models have a “detune” ECU producing 109 horsepower, 69.8 lb.-ft. @ 7080 rpm|59.3 lb.-ft. @ 8330 rpm torque, limited top speed at 112 mph or 180km/h, and  EU has no restrictions producing 115 horsepower, 87.5 Nm (8.9 kg-m) @ 8,500 rpm torque
• Because of the ECU power difference, some claims that was the reason JDM/USA are allowed to have hard saddlebags while the EU Tracers are stuck with floppy bags
• In South East Asia, Singapore uses the EU model, Malaysia uses the JDM’s, and Thailand are running USA versions (though it is not listed on their site)

That’s about all so far I knew

Bike build direction, Saddle Bags

What I aim to achieve:

3)Sports 1)Comfort 2)Tourer & Commuter

Keeping it relatively stock aesthetics, farkles should be functional and not over the top. Played down and under the radar, all all focuses on the details.

It should be a neat, clean, functional, comfortable, value for money performance direction. Product vs Value vs Function, therefore in my DIYs, you will see some mods are for cheap, some bits are full on expenses and works will look like they came from factory equipped as much as possible.

 

My day to day commuting requires me to use side case. The Tracer I bought did not come with the Yamaha soft bags nor pannier mounting  (FYI, both from SW-Motech), these bags came as a promotion for the later orders, and now, they even throw in an Akrapovic Titanium coated exhaust #LOVE. It does comes with a Hepco & Becker 55L Top Case, which I highly recommend.

Back to the side case, so I compared the side carrier options offered by various luggage manufacturers. I will avoid any alu cases because they are hopeless compared to ABS, and imho, doesn’t match this bike’s aesthetics (particularly red, though I truly wanted black). I am using alu sidecases on my KLE500, they are not waterproof, attracts condensation, doesn’t take impact well and dents easily even though they look fantastic!

ABS cases on the other hand are highly impact resistance, waterproof, offers better mechanism, have more profile and curves and does not lose space due to manufacturer’s limitations.

My criteria for the side case system: As good as OEM’s, or exceed OEM’s. Must have a quick release mount to offer a clean look.

Givi – V35 & Rack http://fj-09.org/thread/837/quick-release-pannier-racks-plxr2122

Pros: They offer a quick release rack, box tucks in tightly to narrow down the width of the Tracer (though the FJR Touring Cases wins by 25mm narrower).
Cons: The mount left on the bike are ghastly, they have negative space, else they could had been tucked in closer to the bike, I felt the decision not to tight the width of the rack was simply to keep the bags lower

Shad – SH36 3P System

Pros: No dead space like the V35
Cons: The 3P system again looks ghastly left on the bike

SW-Motech QUICK-LOCK EVO Side Carrier
Pros: Their quick release side carriers are hyper versatile to fit other make cases, and neat
Cons: They do not make ABS cases

To those who have a Stay System for Soft ABS Side Cases 2PP-FSSST-00-00 equipped from Hong Leong, you can consider adding a quick release cross brace to mount a small Givi E22 side case

Hepco & Becker MT – 09 Tracer / ABS Pannier Frames ( lock-it System ) http://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage.co.uk/library/pdfs/65045470005.pdf

Nope, just nope.

But! Their Gobi cases have been Dakar Rally proven, therefore topping the durability chart

Yamaha OEM side cases

I really love how the stock bike looks with this saddlebag, but they are just too small for its money.


This candy red bag makes all the sense since the unpainted bags were discontinued by Yamaha I read, but the lids are still available as replacement. I did manage to find it on www.motorcyclespareparts.eu asking € 819.49 includes lock and shipping.

No joke, Hong Leong charges $2,300 a pair for these touring case alone excluding tax. The city side case are $1,700 a pair.

Webike Japan Nor Yamaha Europe does not offer this as well. These cases are freaking controlled items. So I will be ordering the bits and shits from all over:

 

 

 

Images & sources from respective manufacturers, Yamaha Motors, http://www.fj09.org, http://www.fz09.org and credits to respective community members for their efforts to share their experience.

First ride thoughts

I’ve not owned an EFI bike before. This came with a ride-by-wire throttle, which I felt was rather artificial. Of course the bike pulls like an animal, however it is just disconnecting.

The ride mode A is hard to ride slow at first, B is hard to move off, and STD is meh. Once you use the mode they are designed to be ridden, makes sense. Bike is taller than I expected and the saddle has been widen, it is quite challenging. Also the grips and handlebar position are off for me with the shock too aggressively set up for my needs.

These will be the first tasks for me, to revert to stock.

170cm

178cm

I fall under 170cm, I do need to tip toe, which I been used to since riding dirt bike.

#oldman #oldskool

Details about this Tracer origins

So the reason I gotten this particular Tracer was because of its price vs value.

A new Tracer with COE will set me $27,000++ with COE,

This listing came up at $25,500 comes with nearly $8,000 worth of accessories. I cannot miss this.

Registered 26 July 2015

Model: Yamaha MT09TRA Tracer (2SC1,2015) 060 Euro Model B Metallic Red K

List of things done on this bike before my Ownership:

• Koso Volt Meter $45
• Rifle Windscreen $309
• Grab On Grip $25
• Bridgeport L Tire Valve $35
• Ryder Rubber Socks x 02 $20
• Raceshield Headlight & Meter Guard $70
• FZ6 OEM Rider Rubber Mount Pegs $74
• Toter Chain Oiler $185
• SW Motech Bar Riser (1″ rise 1″ pull back) $125
• SW Motech Crash Bar $276
• SW Motech Fog Light Mount $54
• SW Motech Foot Stand Plate $78
• R&G Radiator Guard $91
• R&G Shock Tube $43
• Aliexpress Engine Guard $110
• Dzell LED Daytime Running Lamp $126
• RD Moto Front & Rear Sliders $130
• RD Swingarm Spool $38
• Aliexpress Reflector Brake/Tail light LED $8
• Hella Compact Horn 2 x 48W $26
• JMV Concept Hugger $380
• Headlight Protector $68
• DVR Camera $80
• O2 Controller $133
• Giannelli Complete System Exhaust $1,420
• Pyramid Front Fender Extender $40
• China Levers $24
• Sprint Air Filter $122
• ECU Flash $150
• Traction Dynamic Fork Cartridge $2,250
• Penske 8893 Shock (Preload/Height/Rebound/Low Speed Compression) $1,600
• Evotech Rear Brake Reservoir $80
• BarkBuster Guard with extra balancer $220
• Eugene Saddlery Gel Seat $160

Also, this comes with Pirelli Angel GT touring tires, a highly recommended rubber that is able to clock 20,000 km, about $380 promo

Unfortunately, the OEM Knuckle Guard, which I really adore was lost.

Intro

Hello, Austin here.

I’m starting this blog to detail all about my Tracer build and coming ride trips. I tried and failed to write blog and I hope to learn writing one will help me both in understanding about my bike as well as applying it to my work.

I bought the Tracer to replace my trusty mule Kawasaki KLE500. I really love the KLE500 which spent 4 years with me.
Here is why the I got the Tracer.

1) I’m a Yamaha Boy my first bike was an RX-115S, 2nd was a DT200WR, 3rd a WR400F

2) the Tracer is the best balance for its weight, practicality and cost of maintenance (so I heard)

3) Singapore is just expensive to buy old bikes with the escalating COE price

4) this Tracer is pretty and this came with reasonable farkles!
Yah. Here is my Tracer with my KLE500:

#Tracer #MT09 #FJ09 #KLE500