Yamaha’s new Tracer 700 – in dealers in July and costs £6,299

Here is the new bike from Yamaha for 2016 – as expected it’s the Tracer 700. The MT-07 upright bike has been spied in testing trim for a couple of months and here it is in finished version. It’ll cost £6,299.

The new Tracer 700 will be available in three colours – Radical Red, Tech Black and Yamaha Blue. The bike will be in UK dealerships by mid July.  The 75bhp twin-cylinder motor is the same as on the MT-07 but overall the bike gets a 50mm longer swingarm for more stability. The bike tips the scales at 196kg wet.

To suit its long distance role, the 130mm travel front and rear suspension systems feature revised settings for smooth characteristics in a variety of conditions. Dual 282mm front discs with four-pot calipers and a 245mm rear disc take care of the braking and ABS is equipped as standard.

At the same time Yamaha are taking the opportunity to rename the MT-09 Tracer as the Tracer 900 and also move it into the Sport Touring segment giving riders a clear step-up in the category from the new Tracer 700 through Tracer 900, up to the flagship FJR models.

In summary following the announcement of the new Tracer 700 the following will change:

• MT-09 Tracer will be renamed Tracer 900
• Tracer 900 will be moved to the Sport Touring segment

• Tracer 700 will join the Sport Touring segment as Yamaha’s ‘entry level’ Sport Tourer

• The Sport Touring range will therefore include FJR, Tracer 900, Tracer 700