The Verdict
Having spent several months getting to know the Yamaha Tracer 7 GT, Martin Fitz-Gibbons reckons it’s a multiskilled middleweight masterpiece
By Martin Fitz-Gibbons Photography Jason Critchell, Martin Fitz-Gibbons, Yamaha
Few bikes have made my motorcycling life as easy as the Tracer 7 GT. I’m not talking about a bike that’s just comfortable over distance, or handy for riding every day in all conditions – both of which the Tracer is, inevitably – but ‘easy’ in an even bigger-picture way.
It exudes effortless convenience from the second you push it out of the garage. Its modest mass and prudent proportions free you from the mental and physical strain of heaving some bloated über-tourer or towering trailie. It fires up first time, every time, pulls away with a feather-light clutch action and docile throttle response, and settles in for a fuss-free ride.
The Tracer wasn’t always like this. When I tested the original 700 for Bike in 2016 it was more akin to an all-day MT-07, with a cheeky streak, frisky wheel-lifting acceleration and pegs that begged to be scraped. It felt a bit raw, a bit basic, but bloody good fun. The 2025 model has a totally different character – it’s grown up, calmed down and chilled out.
A longer swingarm and new upside-down forks have given the chassis a more stable feeling, with more considered, relaxed steering. Wider bars and a raised seat height lend the illusion of it being a physically larger bike too; one you sit more ‘in’ than ‘on’. And the managed ride-by-wire throttle and new traction control mean drive from the 689cc twin is metered out more steadily, rather than all dumped on the rear wheel in one go.
The result, especially in GT trim, is the most sophisticated, sorted and serene version of the twin-cylinder Tracer yet. It no longer has a slight air of ‘entry level’ about it – it’s a credible sports-tourer in its own right. Over a four-day tour of Scotland, I never once wished I was on anything pokier, porkier or pricier. Downsides? The infuriating see-saw indicator switch and persistently premature self-cancelling system can get in the sea. A dedicated heated grips button would be faster than faffing through pop-up submenus on the dash. The remainingrange guessometer swerves between wildly disparate claims like a desperate politician. And I’d like a two-way quickshifter, though it adds £193 (or £350 for the new semi-auto Y-AMT version).
Panniers, centrestand, TFT, adjustable screen, handguards, heated grips, cruise control… Chinese newcomers aside, I can’t think of another bike that offers more all-round ability with a higher standard spec for less money than the Tracer 7 GT.
MFG
FACTS AND FIGURES
Price £10,204
Engine 689cc DOHC 8v parallel twin
Power 69bhp @ 8700rpm (tested)
Torque 49lb·ft @ 6700rpm (tested)
Rake/trail 25.2°/99mm
Wheelbase 1495mm
Seat height 845/865mm
Colours silver/black/blue, black
Availability now
MY FAVOURITE BITS
» HEADLIGHTS
Moody ‘eyes’ are cosmetic position lights. The LEDs underneath light the way, and throw a fulsome pool of crisp white onto the road. They’re better than my car’s headlights.
» TYRES
Michelin Pilot Road 6 GTs are the OE rubber. They’re a singlecompound design (unlike dual compound of the standard 6 GTs) but have been excellent in all weathers.
» CRUISE CONTROL
Should be standard fitment on any bike with a ride-by-wire throttle. Superior to the Triumph Tiger Sport’s system as the Tracer lets you adjust and resume your set speed.
THE VERDICT
» The Tracer 7 GT won our December 2025 group test, and having now spent a few months with it through autumn and winter, there’s no doubt this is the most complete multi-role middleweight going. Even more practical than a Tiger Sport 660; nearly as frugal as an NC750X; far more dynamic and engaging than a Versys 650. All it could do with is a smidge more top-end punch, a little more of the original 700’s liveliness – oh, and a normal indicator switch.
