The only reason I’m not buying a new motorcycle right now is because I currently have a new BMW SR on loan, and a KTM SMC 690R – and an old R1 sitting in my garage. Otherwise, I’d be down there toot sweet, bending all the bored salesmen at my local dealer over backwards on a killer deal on something new. It is my sacred duty on some level, as a licensed motojournalist, to sell motorcycles to people. But this time I think my heart is truly in it. No, really… Here’s why. (lead image courtesy of Bert’s Mega Mall)
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As I sat there yet again on my couch Sunday morning, cursing Marc Marquez and quaffing a beverage, it occurred to me that without Honda and Yamaha and Suzuki and Ducati and Kawasaki and KTM, I don’t know what I would’ve done on all these summer Sundays stretching back into antiquity. Through all the hard times the market’s experienced over the last decade (maybe especially the US one), those guys have continued to step up to the plate, delivering not only racing excitement and heroes to worship, but also continuing to trickle that high-tech all the way down into motorcycles you can actually buy. You owe it to Soichiro, Mr. Baba, and Dr. Taglioni to do so now and then, whether you need a new bike or not.
If you’ve got the disposable income during this time when many others do not, you owe it to the rest of us to stimulate the economy and keep the manufacturers in business until the wealth trickles all the way down; you especially owe it to us motojournalists, who rely upon a press fleet to draw from in perpetuity in order to bring you this kind of hard-hitting coverage. If you’re a President Trump supporter, you owe it to him to keep the economy humming in order to avoid losing re-election, lest the ex-POTUS face serious legal issues. But MO is a no-politics zone, so enough about that.
The very www that brings you MO and Tinder now makes it possible for you to share your old bike to pay for your new one. Online services like Riders Share and Twisted Road mean you can rent your old bike out for probably more than you might think. I was just talking to a progressive youth the other day who rents his new KTM out four or five days a month, which means it effectively pays for itself. The sharing economy definitely has some upsides for the chattel holder, especially if you live in or near a big city.
As a lifelong bottomfeeder and buyer of used vehicles, I have to say there really is something to be said for that new-motorcycle smell. Even the most anally-maintained used motorcycle doesn’t have the tautness of cable, the texture of seat foam, the suppleness of suspension action of a bike that’s known no other butt than yours. Not to mention the lack of grunge in every crevice. Not to mention that new-bike warranty… not to mention it’s nice to deal with a grovelling dealer instead of an entitled owner. I only ever bought a new bike once – a left-over Honda VF500F I bought in `87 for $2,749 – but I still remember that day. Sniff…
Not only are there great deals to be had on some of our favorite bikes, many of the OEMs are offering free-money financing or close to it – if you have good credit anyway. If you don’t, how hard could it be to hack into Equifax and give yourself about a 900 credit score? Not very, apparently. According to the Consumer Price Index, the $2,749 I paid for my Interceptor is equal today to $6,198. That’s more than enough for a new KTM Duke 390 or Kawasaki Z400, both of which would run rings around the old VF.
If I decided to buy the $16,000 BMW SR in my garage, BMW now has Easy Ride financing, with low payments and a big balloon payment due at the end. Heck, I could be dead by then. Harley’s offering 3.49% financing if you graduate from its Riding Academy, and is now offering 84-month financing on many of its bikes.
One is reminded of the personal finance philosophy of our former fellow MOron Sean Alexander, who believes in going out with guns blazing and credit cards maxed. Not a bad philosophy given the current economic climate. He’s always driving a new Corvette or Porsche. In fact he gave the Corvette back when he left MO and moved to Hawaii. Now he’s got a new Tesla Model 3 Performance.
Internal combustion engines aren’t getting any younger, and the world isn’t getting any more welcoming of things that run on petroleum. We’ve already seen the backlash in the form of Euro 5 emissions standards, a few automobile manufacturers going all-electric, and Harley-Davidson – of all manufacturers – committed to leading the way in electric motorcycles. If current trends continue, well, ICE bikes still have a few years to run. If not, you’ll be glad you bought yours now, while you can still ride it to follow the Union Pacific’s # around on tour. Choo-choo!
We’ve been reading since about that motorcycles don’t have much room left to grow faster and better. Now we’re beginning to believe it’s true. Not just MotoGP bikes, but now street-going models like 200-horsepower V4 Panigales, Aprilia RSV4s and BMW SRRs are nearly unrideable, we’re told, without their electronic rider aids. We think that has to mean enough horsepower is enough horsepower, and we’ve reached that point; the only up from here is refining the rest of the package, or possibly neutering it? It’s all eerily reminiscent of that day in December, , when Richard M. Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency, effectively killing the American muscle car as we knew it. Of course the thing needed doing, and muscle cars are now back cleaner and faster than ever. But still. Do we need to point out what a Hemi `Cuda is worth today compared to a modern copy?
There are a lot of things you never know are indispensable until you acquire them. Motorcycle-wise, those things include electronic cruise control, electric-adjustable suspension, lean-sensitive anti-lock brakes and traction control, Bluetooth-compatible TFT displays. Some of that stuff is just for fun, but the increasingly ubiquitous Inertial Measurement Unit that makes modern ABS and TC possible really does broaden the safety envelope, especially when you’re caught out in the rain or snow. Electric suspension also plays a big part in keeping your bike in trim and your tires in maximum contact with the road. And cruise control just keeps your body and mind more comfortable and relaxed for a longer time – all good things for increased enjoyment and safety that older bikes simply lack.
If not now, when? All kinds of studies tell us there’s a high correlation between riding motorcycles and maintaining a sharp mind, and that makes all kinds of sense. Motorcycles keep your survival instincts honed and synapses firing in a way that civilians will never understand. So does getting out in the fresh air and socializing. Think of a new bike that lets you ride farther and safer in comfort as an investment in your health, that you may as well go ahead and claim as a tax deduction. I believe that falls under Unreimbursed healthcare expenses…
These kids touring the Suzuki Museum in Hamamatsu need you to keep their parents employed. And now more than ever, kids here in the US need good role models: If all they’ve been exposed to is “Sons of Anarchy” and urban pirates with open pipes, it can be an eye-opening, positive influence when you roll up on your nice, quiet new NC750X in your hi-viz ATGATT and give them a smile and a wave. Why not fill the NC’s storage compartment with a chunk of dry ice and some Popsicles, and pass them out as school lets out? Talk about striking a blow for the nicest people and the American way.
TRACER 7 GT delivers the ultimate CP2 sport touring experience whether it's riding the long way home after work or embarking on a cross-continent trip. With exclusive GT features including hard side cases, taller screen, heated grips and powered by a thrilling 690cc engine, the GT is ready to tour.
BEAUTY IN EVERY CURVE
Carving distant roads on the TRACER 7 GT is a thrilling experience, thanks to its 690cc EU5+ CP2 engine which delivers strong acceleration, even with fully loaded hard side cases, while upside-down forks and a monocross rear shock with remote preload adjuster enhances road-holding stability.
Dynamic forward-motion bodywork with dual LED headlights and animated position lights solidify the bike's cutting-edge design, while an adjustable comfort seat, electronic-controlled throttle, riding modes and Cruise Control, makes the TRACER 7 GT a legitimate long-distance touring machine.
Dynamic new TRACER styling and excellent wind protection
The TRACER 7 GT blends dynamic styling with a compact functional design that gives the appearance of forward motion, even at a standstill. New LED headlights and sharp position lights with a fade-in animation enhance the GT’s futuristic front end while a new adjustable 90mm taller screen provides enhanced wind protection for even greater sport-touring comfort.
Electronic throttle, YRC riding modes and switchable TCS
Y-CCT (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) unlocks a new generation of rider aids and contributes to an even more linear power delivery. Yamaha Ride Control (YRC) gives you the choice of two throttle maps and switchable traction control, with the option of a customisable YRC mode to tailor the TRACER 7 GT's performance to your exact needs.
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Touring-grade suspension with remote pre-load adjustment
New adjustable 41mm 'upside down' forks offer high levels of control and feel, resulting in enhanced road-holding while complementing the TRACER 7 GT's image as the ultimate CP2 sport tourer. A monocross linked-type rear shock, customisable for rebound damping and preload with remote adjustment enables quick fine-tuning when carrying luggage or a pillion.
Cruise control for long distance comfort
The TRACER 7 GT is equipped with Cruise Control allowing you to relax over the long touring miles and arrive at the twisty roads refreshed and ready to unleash the CP2's thrilling torque. Available from third gear and above 40km/h, it can be adjusted in increments of 1km/h or 10 km/h, depending on the road situation.
Revised chassis and swingarm with increased rigidity
The TRACER 7 GT's high tensile steel backbone chassis provides improved rigidity and enhanced stability, even with fully loaded side cases or a pillion. The 40mm longer swingarm is designed to balance seamlessly with the updated front forks, enhancing confidence in high-speed corners while retaining the bike's agile, fun-to-ride character.
Larger 18L ergonomic fuel tank
Unleashing the TRACER 7 GT's touring prowess to cover long miles just got easier with a large 18L fuel tank, sculpted for an excellent fit to make mounting and dismounting effortless.
5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, navigation and ergonomic switchgear
The TRACER 7's 5-inch colour TFT display comes with multiple themes and smartphone connectivity via the free MyRide app, so you can listen to music as well as view call and message notifications. Full map and turn by turn navigation is available through the free Garmin StreetCross app, all of which can be controlled through the new ergonomic switchgear.
Touring ready with hard side cases and centre stand
The new GT is equipped with full-size hard side cases as standard, which can fit a helmet and are mounted by one-piece aluminium stays featuring a floating damping system to minimise vibrations. Luggage capacity can be expanded with an optional top case, while a new centre stand is included to allow easy maintenance and loading.
Radially mounted 4-piston dual front disc brakes
Providing next level stopping power even with fully-loaded side cases and a pillion, the new TRACER 7 GT features large twin discs gripped by radially mounted 4-piston brake calipers. The design delivers strong and consistent braking performance thanks to the increased rigidity, ensuring forces are equally distributed under heavy braking.
Torque-rich 690cc EU5+ CP2 engine
At the TRACER 7 GT's heart beats the characterful 690cc CP2 parallel-twin. Renowned for smooth and powerful torque delivery, the latest EU5+ upgrades boost pulling power and deliver an even more addictive exhaust note. A new A&S (Assist and Slipper) clutch ensures excessive engine braking during sportier riding is smoothed out for greater control and feel.
Adjustable GT-spec seat and improved ergonomics
The TRACER 7 GT's wider handlebars and adjustable 'GT spec' two-part seat creates a more commanding, confidence-inspiring ride. Taller riders can raise the seat by 20mm while maintaining the accessible 845mm standard height. Pillions also get an upgrade with a larger, more comfortable seat and enhanced pillion assist grips for a secure, relaxed ride.
GT-spec heated grips and footpegs
The TRACER 7 GT is equipped with fully-integrated heated grips to ensure excellent rider comfort when the temperature drops, while both rider and passenger footpegs also feature durable rubber-inset footpegs to minimise vibration and maximise comfort over long distances.
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