A First Look at a Headlamp That Thinks
Ride long enough and you learn to fear the dark. Headlights on most bikes are polite suggestions, not promises, and every night-time sweep through the mountains feels like dancing at the edge of an unlit cliff. The 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ doesn’t just add lumens; it rewrites the rulebook with the world’s first adaptive Matrix LED headlight on a production motorcycle. A forward-facing camera watches the road, reads the traffic, then instructs 12 individual LEDs to carve white daylight exactly where you need it, even mid-lean. The system spares oncoming drivers from retina-scorching glare and spares you from that blind-corner roulette we’ve all played too often.
Built to Lean, Programmed to Learn
Cars borrowed this Matrix trick from Volkswagen years ago, but cars don’t lean. Yamaha’s engineers tied their light show to a six-axis IMU so the beam pivots with every roll past seven degrees, tracking the apex like a spotlight on a runaway actor. Corner harder, see farther—that simple. It’s wizardry you’ll appreciate the first time a black-as-pitch back road fails to terrify you.
The Heart: CP3 Triple Torque on Tap
Under the sculpted fairing lives the familiar 890 cc CP3 inline-triple. It punches out 119 hp and 93 Nm, but figures barely tell the story. The engine snarls out of switchbacks, smooths into big-sky straights, and sips fuel at 5 L/100 km when you remember to behave. All of it hangs inside a Deltabox chassis that feels taut without punishing, helped by semi-active KYB suspension that reads the road 1,000 times per second and adjusts damping before you know you need it.
Y-AMT: Shift When You Feel Like It
Tour for 600 kilometres and you’ll grow intimate with the left hand. Yamaha’s Y-AMT transmission lets you free it. Thumb a rocker to flip between full auto and manual modes; choose lazy-river cruising or fingertip rowing as the mood shifts. In concert with radar-guided Adaptive Cruise Control, the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ settles into a glide that erases distance—and arm pump—from the equation.
Radar Eyes and Digital Ears
The same millimetre-wave radar that manages cruise control also keeps tabs on vehicles in your blind spot, triggering a subtle mirror flash the split-second someone creeps alongside. Unified brakes balance front and rear pressure in panic moments; Vehicle Hold Control pins the bike on a hill so your boot can fish for the pavement, not the rear pedal. It’s electronic overkill, until the day it isn’t.
Cockpit for the 21st-Century Nomad
Stare into the 7-inch TFT and you’ll find Garmin navigation baked in, plus calls, messages, and playlists piped through Yamaha’s MyRide app. A joystick on the bar makes menu-diving painless, while a new electrically adjustable windscreen slices turbulence for both rider and pillion. Ten-stage heated grips, TPMS readouts, and smart-key luggage that auto-locks when you wander off—all stock. The bike feels less like a mere motorcycle and more like a rolling command centre.
Numbers That Matter
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 890 cc liquid-cooled triple |
| Power / Torque | 119 hp @ 10,000 rpm / 93 Nm @ 7,000 rpm |
| Wet weight | 232 kg |
| Suspension | KYB semi-active (130 mm F / 131 mm R travel) |
| Fuel tank | 19 L |
| Price (UK) | £17,004 ≈ $23,000 USD |
Availability
For now, the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ ships to the UK, Europe, and selected Asia-Pacific markets. The U.S. gets the less-tricked-out Tracer 9 GT—fine bike, but once you’ve tasted adaptive light and radar brains you’ll feel short-changed.
Verdict: A Middleweight That Punches at the Horizon
Plenty of bikes chase the sport-touring sweet spot; few land on it. The 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ does so with an audacity worthy of the open border crossing at 2 a.m.—when the asphalt is empty, the air thin, and the night tries to swallow you whole. Switch on that Matrix headlamp and watch darkness retreat. Twist the throttle, let the triple sing, and discover how unreasonably far one tank of fuel can fling you. If the journey still matters more than the destination, this machine feels like the future finally catching up with the dream.
Pros
- Revolutionary Adaptive Matrix LED Headlight: The 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ is the first production motorcycle to feature an adaptive Matrix LED headlight, vastly improving nighttime visibility and safety by dynamically shaping the beam to match both lean angle and surrounding traffic conditions.
- Radar-Equipped Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection: Advanced rider aids like adaptive cruise control and radar-based blind spot monitoring bring car-level safety and convenience features to the two-wheeled world, significantly reducing fatigue on long rides and improving overall situational awareness.
- Y-AMT Automated/Manual Transmission: The Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT) gives riders the freedom to switch between automatic and manual shifting on the fly, combining touring ease with the engagement of a traditional gearbox.
- KYB Semi-Active Electronic Suspension: The suspension system, governed by a six-axis IMU, continually adjusts damping to match road conditions and load, providing a superb balance between comfort and sporty control.
- High-Performance Engine: The 890cc CP3 triple is renowned for its thrilling torque, strong acceleration, and lively character, backed by proven reliability.
- Comprehensive Electronics Suite: A 7-inch TFT display with integrated Garmin navigation, customizable ride modes, TPMS, and Yamaha’s MyRide app ensure a cutting-edge, connected cockpit experience.
- Comfort and Practicality Features: Electrically adjustable windscreen, 10-setting heated grips, smart key system with central locking, and a low-maintenance DID endurance chain make the Tracer 9 GT+ an outstanding long-distance tourer.
- Unified Braking and Vehicle Hold Control: Intelligent braking systems enhance safety in all riding conditions and simplify hill starts, adding an extra layer of rider confidence.
Cons
- Limited Availability: The 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ is not available in the U.S. market, restricting access to many riders who may want these features most.
- Premium Price Tag: At £17,004 (about $23,000 USD), the Tracer 9 GT+ sits at the higher end of the middleweight touring segment, potentially putting it out of reach for budget-conscious buyers.
- Increased Complexity: The abundance of electronic systems and advanced features may intimidate riders who prefer mechanical simplicity or who are wary of potential long-term maintenance costs.
- Weight: With a wet weight of 232 kg, the bike is not the lightest in its class, which may deter riders looking for a more agile or minimalist machine.
- Over-Dependence on Electronics: The extensive reliance on electronic systems could impact the riding experience in the unlikely event of an electrical failure, and repairs might require specialized service not available in remote areas.
Verdict
The 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ stands as a bold milestone in the evolution of sport-touring motorcycles, blending cutting-edge safety technology with the visceral thrill of Yamaha’s famed triple engine. Its adaptive Matrix LED headlight alone pushes the industry forward, while radar-based rider aids and the Y-AMT transmission set new benchmarks for comfort, convenience, and safety. While the premium price and complexity may narrow its appeal, for those seeking the ultimate tech-laden grand tourer that doesn’t flinch at a curve or a continent, the Tracer 9 GT+ isn’t just a motorcycle—it’s the future, roaring into the present. If you want to experience what tomorrow feels like in the saddle today, this is your ticket.
£17,004 (about $23,000 USD)
If you’re drawn to the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ for its sport-touring versatility but crave even more raw power and track-bred engineering, the 2024 BMW M 1000 XR demands your attention. This isn’t just a motorcycle—it’s BMW’s M Class attitude unleashed on the open road, powered by a blistering 201 hp 999cc inline-four that transforms every throttle twist into pure adrenaline. What sets the M 1000 XR apart is its fusion of race-ready technology—like Dynamic Damping Control, M winglets generating real downforce, and a titanium Akrapovič silencer—with luxurious, long-haul comfort. Its six-axis IMU governs a full suite of electronic rider aids, while premium touches like forged wheels, M levers, and a 6.5” TFT display ensure you ride with both style and confidence. For the discerning rider seeking unmatched performance, advanced tech, and the unmistakable thrill of BMW’s M legacy, the M 1000 XR is a bold, uncompromising alternative that elevates every journey.
