58 replies to this topic

[Muppdog]

and30er

 

that will explain your view on the price. New the KTM in the UK is listed at nearly £14K new, according to the KTM web site. That's a whopping £6k more than the Tracer! Its not £6k worth better!! And KTM's reliability is very questionable.

Good bikes when they work, though.

 

Rob

[Deauman]

The new 1050 KTM would be a decent bike but it looks decidedly cheap in some areas.   The engine castings look like they are straight from the foundry without any fetling or painting. The bodywork has an almost orange peel look to it and the rear subframe just looks like a bit of aluminium bar.

 

I'm only being so critical to prevent myself from being lead astray.

 

Of course for just a grand more than the Tracer you can buy a Triumph Sprint GT SE which comes with 117l of colour coded luggage, touring screen, heated grips, centre stand and all OTR costs not to mention 130bhp and 80 ft lb of torque. Has 152 mm of rear travel as well. That's a bargain.

[and30ers]

The 1050 looked attractive, until I started comparing it with the 1190. Then the 1190 actually looked like the better deal, all the extras on the 1190 more than made up for the minimal price difference I think.

[sidestand]

and30er

 

that will explain your view on the price. New the KTM in the UK is listed at nearly £14K new, according to the KTM web site. That's a whopping £6k more than the Tracer! Its not £6k worth better!! And KTM's reliability is very questionable.

Good bikes when they work, though.

 

Rob

 

Hartside's got himself one of the 1090 Adventures & he reckons its brilliant 

[and30ers]

1050 or 1190 I guess. Anyway it's good bikes for sure.

[Muppdog]

Totally agree, good bikes. My point was only, if you compare prices you have to compare new with new. No doubt in a years time you could pick up ex demo Tracers for more than 10% cheaper than new.

 

Rob

[harvey krumpet]

If nothing else the Tracer has certainly produced a list of Carpe wants & comparisons. Certainly made me think about what I want / need in another bike. Touring is out but swervery & gravel are in. I like the stats on THESE.

Pointless me getting a bigger tech marvel when I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth trying to keep a 230cc 2t in sight on the TDM. The TDM would still have it's place in the shed for occasional weekends away.

[Robodene]

For what this may be worth, MCN has a comparison test: Tracer v. Triumph 800, Honda Crossrunner and Kwak z800. Tracer, btw.

[Matlock]

For what this may be worth, MCN has a comparison test: Tracer v. Triumph 800, Honda Crossrunner and Kwak z800. Tracer, btw.

Z800 seems an odd one out in that group. I'd be more interested in the comparison with the Versys 1000.

[MarkyMark]

I sat on one and it felt O.K.

 

I have never test ridden a bike before buying - as long as I feel comfy and upright with knees not too bent that  works for me.

 

I am serious ly considering trading in the GTR1400 for a new one of these.

[muddy]

Moores of Hemel Hempstead have got a grey one in for sale, just in case there's any scarcity. 

[TDMTAM]

So got to see the Tracer in the flesh at the Scottish motorcycle show, and I must say I like it. I had heard some comment on it being a bit on the small side but no problems for me at 5'8", but you seem to sit a bit more on top of it compared to the 9'er very much like the Ducati Multistrada. Speaking to Allan Duffus about it and I am going to be taking their demo out for a wee play. So will need to see if I can live with a triple as apposed to a twin.

Edited by TDMTAM, 07 March 2015 - 02:44 pm.

[dandywarhol]

Interested to see what you think Tam.

[MarkyMark]

If nothing else the Tracer has certainly produced a list of Carpe wants & comparisons. Certainly made me think about what I want / need in another bike. Touring is out but swervery & gravel are in. I like the stats on THESE.

Pointless me getting a bigger tech marvel when I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth trying to keep a 230cc 2t in sight on the TDM. The TDM would still have it's place in the shed for occasional weekends away.

 

 

Or one of the Yamaha XT660 range of singles might meet your requirements.

[Robodene]

 

 

Or one of the Yamaha XT660 range of singles might meet your requirements.

Or, dare I say it, an MT-03 of similar engine.

[harvey krumpet]

Or, dare I say it, an MT-03 of similar engine.

19 inch front wheel, more horse powers & less weight than the competitors, solid BMW technology for the Husky. Small tank & five speed box against. Jeez, I'm picky.

All I need for the perfect bike is a bigger shed & more money.

[GeneralBozo]

I test rode a Tracer yesterday.

 

it is a very impressive machine - very sharp, lightweight, fast and nimble, with quite a sporty character. Seems well built too. The engine revs up fast and feels and drives much like a four-cylinder but with a big dose of torque at the bottom end.

 

However, you very much sit 'on' it as opposed to sitting 'in' a TDM, and I felt exposed with a lack of fairing at the front. Not a particularly relaxing ride as it is quite aggressive. Wind blast was bad, and foot pegs were positioned for enthusiastic riding. I'm all for sports bikes and I do regular track days on my CBR and ZX7R previous to that, but I have the TDM because of that way the TDM is, and I don't think of the Tracer as a TDM replacement; it's more of an upright sportsbike. I wouldn't swap one for the other either way round. I would, however, swap the Tracer for sportsbike and vice versa.

 

Full throttle in 2nd lifts the front wheel though - that was fun   

[harvey krumpet]

I've been watching reviews of the MT 07. If that gets the Tracer treatment and a 19" front I could be very tempted.

[muddy]

I've been watching reviews of the MT 07. If that gets the Tracer treatment and a 19" front I could be very tempted.

totally agree, apart from I'd prefer a 17" front option. If they can keep the weight down and stick a 20 litre tank on, it'll be just the ticket. It's got a lot of the right ingredients.