Yamaha has added yet another motorcycle to its current lineup of motorcycles in Europe, this time in the popular Sport Tourer category.
Yamaha has been extremely aggressive with its launch strategy, specifically in the European market where demand for mid-sized and litre-class motorcycles is ever increasing. In fact, the Tracer 900 and the MT-07 are Yamaha’s highest selling two-wheelers in Europe. Betting on this popularity, the Japanese two-wheeler giant has launched the Sport Tourer iteration of the MT-07, the Tracer 700.
At its core, the Yamaha Tracer 700 is powered by the same 698cc, twin-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine as seen on the MT-07. The engine is good for 75 PS of maximum power at 9000 RPM and 68 Nm of maximum torque at 6500 RPM, which indicates a powerful mid and top-end, complementing its touring nature. Speaking of touring capabilities, you also get a fuel tank capacity of 17-litres and with Yamaha’s promised 23 km/l mileage, which roughly translates to almost 400 kms on a single tank.
Additionally, the bike has a ground clearance of 140 mm and a wheelbase of 1450 mm, which is 50 mm longer than the MT-07, adding to its overall stability. However, the Yamaha Tracer 700 misses out on upside down suspension at the front and at 196 kgs, it isn’t one of the lightest motorcycles either. Breaking duties will be handled by 282 mm twin discs up front and a single 245 mm disc at the rear. ABS will also be available, but only as an option.
Will the Yamaha Tracer 700 reach our roads or not in the near future, the answer is rather simple, it won’t. This is mainly because the average Indian rider is only beginning to mature towards this class of motorcycles which lack the aggressive appeal of its naked and fully faired counterparts as well as the heavy taxation on vehicles taking the CBU route. For those of us looking for a Sport Tourer, we’ll have to make do with alternatives like the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Triumph Tiger 800, which are quite capable themselves.
Yamaha Tracer 700
– The Yamaha Tracer 700 is a Sport Tourer based on the naked MT-07
– It is powered by a 698cc, twin-cylinder engine making 75 PS of power and 68 Nm of torque
– Its launch is only Europe specific for now, with future launch in international markets
