The addition of a “+” to the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT’s name reflects a set of changes that focus on the addition of radar but also incorporate other revisions to bring the middleweight all-rounder in line with the best of its rivals.

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Ever since radar-based cruise control systems started to appear on bikes – led by the Ducati Multistrada V4 S – it’s been clear that the tech is set to filter down to more affordable models, and with the 2023 Tracer 9 GT+ it’s set to reach its widest audience yet.

The radar is the same Bosch system used by BMW, Ducati, KTM and Kawasaki, enabling adaptive cruise control that can keep pace with the vehicle ahead, slowing when needed and accelerating back to its pre-set speed when the road clears.

As on rival models, the system can accelerate and brake gently (when heavier braking is needed it flashes a warning to the rider). Yamaha has also added a standard bidirectional quickshifter, allowing for gearshifts without disengaging the adaptive cruise system. The radar also allows the implementation of a new Brake Control system (when the ACC isn’t in use) that can apply both front and rear brakes via the Unified Brake System if the radar detects a hazard ahead, and if the rider is already braking already but the system believes he/she needs to brake harder still. It uses the bike’s IMU and the Bosch ABS system to juggle brake pressures front and rear to optimise the bike’s stopping ability, adding more braking pressure when needed. Yamaha says the system isn’t a collision avoidance system, as it requires the rider to initiate the braking and to have the Brake Control turned on.

Like the standard Tracer 9 GT, the GT+ also has semi-active, electronically-controlled suspension, but the addition of the radar means the damper settings can also be changed in response to the radar-linked Unified Brake System and Brake Control.

Other updates include a new 7-inch TFT display, with smartphone connectivity and three screen modes, plus updated switchgear to match and the ability to show map-based GPS with the assistance of a Garmin phone app.

Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT updated, too

The smaller Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT also get tweaks for 2023 that mirror previously-announced updates to the MT-07 model. These include a new 5-inch TFT dash with smartphone connectivity, which can feed data from the bike back to your phone as well as displaying call and message notifications on the new instruments. Updated switchgears is also added to give control over the higher-tech dashboard.

Other 2023 tweaks include larger front brake discs than before to boost brake performance.

Yamaha has no immediate plans to release the radar-cruise-equipped GT+ variant in Australia but we will receive the Tracer GT  in 2023 with all the other updates.

Contact your local Yamaha dealer for delivery dates and prices.

WORDS // BEN PURVIS