Video summary

Brilliant, except for one wrong decision - Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Y-AMT 2025 MotoVlog

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ (Y-AMT equipped / automatic-only) — a sport-touring “crossover” motorcycle with advanced rider tech aimed at dynamic long-distance riding.

Key features mentioned

Engine (CP3 triple)

  • Labeled “legendary” with 119 hp and 93 Nm
  • Described as highly rev-happy and very responsive
  • Can still feel manageable/friendly when you ride smoothly

Chassis & riding geometry

  • Upright crossover stance
  • 130 mm short suspension travel
  • Excellent lean-angle clearance for a touring bike

Semi-active suspension (higher-end Tracer 9 models)

  • Street mode: can feel a bit too soft
  • Sport mode: very stable
  • Noted behavior: it may downshift automatically if you forget (observed while in manual mode as speed dropped)

Yamaha Y-AMT automatic transmission system

  • Clutch is electric motor controlled and works well
  • Multiple shift modes:
    • Manual
    • Automatic options including “relaxed / most relaxed” and custom 1 / custom 2 / sport
  • Quick switching to manual using the right index finger

Radar + adaptive cruise behavior

  • Radar system described as “really well done”
  • Example settings mentioned:
    • Can be set to 58 km/h
    • On a higher setting (example: 145), it slows down automatically when a car is ahead

LED matrix headlight

  • Described as a “unique LED matrix headlight”
  • Adaptive high beam referenced as part of the tech level

Electric windscreen

  • One-tap up/down
  • When raised, it improves wind protection and reduces noise

Safety/assist

  • Collision warning system may trigger early during sporty riding (likely turnable off)

Convenience/quirks

  • Keyless go beeping if you leave ignition on (annoying to the reviewer; ~3 seconds after stopping to take a picture)
  • Electronic clutch logic:
    • First gear can be engaged while allowing backward roll
    • Can use a neutral button or keep in first
    • Engine-off sounds indicate first gear/clutch re-engagement to prevent rolling
  • No bump-start mentioned as part of the reason for anti-ignition-beeping logic, but the reviewer calls it overcautious

User experience / ride impressions

Cruising strength (major positive)

  • Cruising is repeatedly emphasized as a key benefit
  • 6th gear usable at just over 50 km/h “no problem”

Cornering behavior

  • In tight corners, the engine is described as working “elastically”
  • Power delivery is smooth and responsive

Comfort & fit

  • At 1.85 m, the seating position is described as comfortable

Foot pegs

  • Can be raised using existing mounting holes

City riding (most critical area)

  • Reviewer is most critical here
  • Automatic mode behavior limits low-speed, higher-gear quiet riding choices

Manual mode enjoyment

  • Reviewer often switches to manual
  • AMT actually works well in manual mode, including while cornering and in city riding

Pros (explicitly praised)

  • CP3 engine character
    • Joy to ride, responsive and smooth
    • Feels friendly when you want it to be
  • Excellent touring usability
    • Cruise comfort
    • Electric windscreen
    • Lean-angle clearance
  • Radar system performance
    • Well executed and convenient in highway/traffic
    • Helpful when briefly taking a hand off the bars
  • Semi-active suspension in sport mode
    • Stable handling
  • AMT in manual mode
    • Works well once you ride manually
    • Easy one-finger switching
  • Overall tech package
    • Radar, matrix lighting, and more

Cons / issues (most emphasized)

1) Biggest weakness: Automatic transmission only

  • The reviewer strongly criticizes that the GT+ is only available with Y-AMT
  • They believe Yamaha should offer a traditional manual gearbox option
  • Framed as a “real mistake” and an issue of customers not having a choice

2) Automatic mode “economy” problem (gear holding)

  • Even in the most relaxed automatic setting, it holds gears longer than desired
  • Reviewer wants earlier upshifts, similar to Honda’s DCT behavior
    • Example goal: economical riding being in 4th around 70 km/h
  • City/town limitation:
    • Automatic won’t allow 4th+ below about ~60 km/h
    • This pushes the rider into 2nd gear more often, reducing the ability to ride quietly
  • Reviewer dislikes the forced behavior when trying to avoid loud revs that disturb residents

3) Feature “quirks”

  • New turn signal switch: reviewer dislikes the redesigned switch; many buttons on the left handlebar
  • Collision warning: can trigger early during spirited riding (though likely disableable)
  • Keyless go beeping: annoying nag within ~3 seconds when stopping

4) Price

  • Austria: €21,300
  • Switzerland & Germany: about €19,000 (Swiss francs mentioned)
  • Reviewer calls it a hefty price tag

Comparisons made

  • Honda NT100DCTES: referenced as part of the group ride context, especially for its economical shifting strategy
  • Honda DCT vs Yamaha Y-AMT: reviewer expects Y-AMT to shift earlier in relaxed mode similarly to Honda’s approach
  • Other bikes mentioned for context: Triumph Tiger Sport 800, Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE
    • Detailed comparisons mainly focus on Honda DCT vs Yamaha Y-AMT behavior

Unique points mentioned (complete list from the subtitles)

  1. Video set on a Slovenia tour; riding 1,040 km+ across multiple bikes
  2. 2025 Tracer 9 GT+ is completely new for 2025
  3. Tracer 9 updates: Euro5 plus compliance; engine unchanged
  4. GT+ tech: radar technology, unique LED matrix headlight / adaptive high beam
  5. Missing clutch lever noted; Y-AMT automatic system
  6. Crossover sport-touring character: upright stance “between two worlds”
  7. 130 mm short suspension travel; compact wheels
  8. CP3 triple engine: 119 hp and 93 Nm; rev-happy and responsive
  9. Excellent lean angle clearance; raise foot pegs via mounting holes
  10. Base vs GT: base has conventional suspension; GT+ includes semi-active suspension and tech
  11. Semi-active modes: street softer, sport stable
  12. Electric windscreen: one tap, quieter ride and better wind protection
  13. 6th gear usable just over 50 km/h; cruising is a strength
  14. Tight-corner behavior: smooth, elastic engine/gearing feel
  15. Major weakness: GT+ only available with Y-AMT; no traditional manual version
  16. Reviewer thinks customers should have a choice
  17. AMT clutch works well (electric motor controlled)
  18. Automatic modes hold gears longer than desired even in relaxed mode
  19. Reviewer wants more economical mode (earlier shifts), referencing Honda DCT style
  20. In city: automatic won’t allow 4th+ below ~60 km/h, often forcing 2nd gear and more revs/noise
  21. Manual mode is preferred for quiet riding; AMT works well there
  22. Automatic/manual switching: right index finger; manual offers better control
  23. AMT customization: street rain, custom 1, custom 2, sport
  24. Reviewer dislikes new turn signal switch; many left-bar buttons
  25. Collision warning triggers early during sporty riding (likely disableable)
  26. Electric clutch behavior: rollback possible in first; neutral handling described; clutch disengages automatically
  27. Engine-off behavior: bike sounds re-engage first gear/clutch to prevent rolling
  28. Keyless go: anti-drain beeping after ~3 seconds; reviewer finds it annoying; no bump-start due to lack of manual clutch
  29. Radar praised; examples of 58 km/h and 145 with automatic slowing
  30. Radar helpful when briefly taking a hand off bars; convenient on highway/traffic
  31. Smart system can downshift automatically if you forget in manual mode
  32. Price: €21,300 in Austria and ~€19,000 in Germany/Switzerland (Swiss francs noted)
  33. Conclusion: lots of tech/touring comfort, but steep price; lack of manual option is a key complaint
  34. Collision warning and turn-signal design are minor usability “quirks”
  35. Overall tone: impressive tech and ride, but AMT-only availability undermines it

Speaker-specific views (end)

Only one main speaker/reviewer is present. Their views combine:

  • Technical overview and ride impressions
  • Strong critique of Y-AMT-only availability
  • Praise for engine, cruising, radar, semi-active suspension, windscreen
  • Notes on minor usability quirks (turn signals, keyless beeping, collision warning)

Concise verdict / recommendation

Verdict

The Tracer 9 GT+ is a very capable, tech-heavy sport-touring bike with a great CP3 engine, comfortable touring features, and an excellent radar system—but it’s held back by a key design choice: it’s Y-AMT only, and the automatic modes don’t satisfy the reviewer for quiet, low-speed city riding.

Recommendation

Buy it only if you’re comfortable with Y-AMT (and expect to use manual mode for precise gear control). If you want a traditional gearbox—or if you ride a lot in slow city/town traffic where earlier upshift “economy” behavior matters—the reviewer strongly suggests avoiding the GT+ AMT-only configuration.

Original video