2025-on Yamaha Tracer 7 GT review: Fun and practical in equal measure

The Yamaha Tracer 7 GT benefits from several key upgrades that enhance its touring capability and overall ride quality. Its KYB suspension is a major improvement over older models, offering greater composure and control without the soft, underdamped feel of previous generations.

Fitted with high-quality Michelin Road 6 GT tyres, the bike delivers impressive grip. It's always a bonus when manufacturers actually pair new bikes with decent rubber. Coupled with new radial brakes adds excellent stopping power and feel.

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While the Tracer 7 GT is 9kg heavier than the standard model, making it feel slightly less agile, the trade-off is worthwhile given its enhanced stability and comfort. Pillion provisions have also been improved, with a longer seat section providing more space and support for passengers. We didn't get to test it on the launch, but it's not too much to assume that it will make the GT a more capable option for two-up touring.

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The Yamaha Tracer 7 GT’s 72bhp CP2 parallel twin engine, which is shared across the MT07, XSR 700, and Ténéré 700 range, may seem modest on paper, but its real-world performance is smooth, flexible, and impressively user-friendly. With broad torque delivery and minimal need for gear changes, it offers relaxed yet effective riding. Gearbox improvements make shifts slick, even without the optional quickshifter, while fuel economy is excellent, often returning 50–70mpg.

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The engine’s refined, vibe-free character and deep exhaust note add charm, once you recalibrate your approach to the ride, making it easy to see why over 400,000 CP2-powered Yamahas have been sold since 2014.

Though, as is the case with many of today’s bikes, it’s almost certain the Tracers will need looking after to retain their looks and value, they definitely have a robust and well-crafted appearance when they’re new. Paintwork seems to be of decent quality, and items like the pillion footrest hangers and pannier bracketry have a substantial, well-engineered solidity to them. The switchgear has a quality feel, though the exhaust header pipe heat shield could be a bit prettier.

Owners ' reviews from previous models give a rating of 4.4 stars out of five, with owners reporting a fondness for its light and agile nature. Owners go on to say that some fixtures and fittings can take a hammering through winter, so it's worth using a maintenance spray early in the bike's life to prevent any corrosion setting in.

Tracer won’t rip through any consumables, and with frugal fuel consumption costs per mile will be more than reasonable. Insurance costs will be dictated more by the rider’s circumstances, such as experience, age, and home address, than its expected grouping of 10.

Rivals are numerous in this competitive class. Triumph’s £10,995 Tiger Sport 800 offers more tech, power, and performance, but won’t be as cheap to run. Its 113bhp engine is a beauty and the Tiger handles well. But it may be more of a bike that you aspire to after gaining some experience on the easier-to-ride and live with Tracer. It doesn’t come with panniers either, like the Tracer GT.

More closely matched on price, performance, and tech is Kawasaki’s Versys 650 Grand Tourer. Just as likely to keep you out of trouble, the fully equipped tourer only makes 66bhp and tipping the scales at 219kg means even more modest overall performance than the Tracer 7 GT. But with its full luggage and 21-litre tank, the Versys has similar good-to-go versatility. It's easy to ride, and nature makes it a good starting point for those new to bikes.

Suzuki’s £9699 V-Strom 800RE is a very impressive, yet easily overlooked, all-rounder. With its brilliantly responsive 82bhp parallel-twin engine, the adventure bike is easy to get the best from. A competent chassis allows backroad fun and frivolity, with excellent comfort to entertain such entertainment all day long. Not especially sexy, the Suzuki is nevertheless worth serious consideration as it can turn its hand to virtually anything.

There’s a wide range of official Yamaha aftermarket accessories available for both Tracers though with its extra equipment already fitted, the GT is likely to need less. They include a tank bag (£173), tank bag ring (£45) seat bag (£290), 45-litre top box (£250), 50-litre top box (£260), low seat (£150), crash bars (£250), quickshifter (£190), LED fog light kit (£310,) and sport screen (£105). You can buy all the accessories to convert your standard Tracer to GT spec, though it will cost more than the £1300 RRP price difference if you buy all those parts individually.

Yamaha also offers three Packs to raise the spec of each bike using several of the parts listed above, with the Sport (£507), Tourer (£825), and Urban (£776) kits available at any Yamaha dealer (www.yamaha-motor.eu).

Given the popularity of the Tracers, no doubt plenty of aftermarket accessory firms will offer competition to all those items. It should be noted that though any bike fitted with these accessories will be more attractive to buyers when the time comes to sell it, it won’t enhance its value by the amount you paid for them.

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