2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ – First Look

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Updated sport-tourer features an adaptive matrix LED headlight and automatic transmission



Yamaha announced updates to its Tracer 9 range for Europe, introducing fresh styling, an adaptive matrix LED headlight, a Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT), and new lighter wheels. For Europe, Yamaha will offer five variants for 2025: the base Tracer 9 and the touring-specced Tracer 9 GT, both with a choice of manual transmissions or Y-AMT, and the top-tier Tracer 9 GT+, which will only be available with Y-AMT. We haven’t heard about U.S. availability yet, but we expect only the GT+ model will continue to be the only version offered, though it remains to be seen whether Y-AMT will be standard for American consumers.

Since we only expect the Tracer 9 GT+ to make its way here, we’ll focus mainly on that variant in the accompanying photographs, though we will touch on details common across the range. For the purposes of the juxtaposition below, we’re looking at the base model Tracer 9 with a manual transmission, because it gives us the best view of what has changed from 2024 to 2025.

The 2025 model takes most of the previous version’s styling cues, but sharpens the lines and gives it a more horizontal flow from nose to tail. The front end in particular looks bulkier from the side, mainly to accommodate the new headlight design, which we’ll get to in a bit. The base model Tracer 9 comes with a manually adjustable windscreen, but the GT and GT+ models come with an electronically adjustable screen.


The aluminum Deltabox frame is similar to last year’s model, but the 2025 Tracer 9 range receives a new rear subframe that is both lighter and longer, giving pillion riders a larger seat. The rider seat is flatter, with more padding than the 2024 model. With an adjustable range of 33.3-33.9 inches, the seat height is an inch taller than last year’s bike (32.3-32.9 inches), but the front of the saddle is slimmer, reducing the stand-over distance to compensate.


The GT and GT+ models come with the industry’s first adaptive matrix LED headlight. The light consists of multiple low and high beam LEDs linked to a camera located below the windscreen. The camera reads the surrounding traffic, natural light sources and weather conditions, and the system dynamically adjusts the brightness and light distribution to provide optimal illumination. The light array also works in conjunction with the six-axis IMU to adjust the beam angle through corners.


As with the 2024 model, the Tracer GT+ comes with front and rear facing radar sensors to support the Adaptive Cruise Control, Unified Brake System, Forward Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Detection systems.


The Tracer 9 range continues to be powered by Yamaha’s CP3 890cc Inline-Three engine. The 2025 model is Euro5+ compliant, and claims a peak output of 117 hp at 10,000 rpm and 68.6 lb-ft. at 7,000 rpm.  


Standard on the GT+ but optional for the base and GT models (at least, for Europe) is the Y-AMT automatic gearbox that debuted on the MT-09. Y-AMT uses actuators to control both the clutch and shifting, either automatically or manually through a see-saw switch on the left switchgear.


All Tracer 9 models offer preset Sport, Street, and Rain modes, plus two custom modes, switchable on the fly with the controls on the updated right-hand switchgear. Each mode offers a combination of throttle control, cruise control, lean-sensitive traction control, slide control, wheelie control, and brake control systems. On models equipped with them, the modes also accommodate Y-AMT settings, Adaptive Cruise Control, and electronic suspension.


The electronic settings are managed through a new 7-inch TFT display, along with the updated switchgear controls. The hand controls are illuminated on GT and GT+ models.

The Tracer 9 GT and GT+ come standard with a KYB semi-active electronic suspension system that dynamically adjusts damping using real-time data from the IMU. The Plus model comes standard with a radar-linked Unified Brake System. UBS analyzes data from the radar and six-axis IMU to assist front and rear braking forces, automatically increasing brake pressure if it determines the rider’s inputs are not enough to prevent a collision. The system also regulates brake force distribution, even when the rider operates only the front or the rear.


For 2025, the Tracer 9 range comes with new wheels produced using Yamaha’s exclusive SpinForge technology. Yamaha claims the wheels are lighter and stronger than those produced using traditional methods. Bridgestone Battlax Sport-Touring T32 tires come standard.


The GT and GT+ models come standard with removable 30L hard cases, and Yamaha offers a choice of a 34L or 45L top case as an accessory.


Other features include smartphone connectivity via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB, an integrated storage compartment with a USB socket, self-canceling turn signals, heated grips, and a 4.7-gallon fuel tank. Features specific to the GT+ model includes a low-maintence DID chain and a tire pressure monitoring system.


For 2025, the standard Tracer 9 and Tracer 9 Y-AMT will be available in Redline or Midnight Black. The Tracer 9 GT (with or without Y-AMT) is offered in Ceramic Ice or Tech Black. The Tracer 9 GT+ comes in a choice of Cobalt Blue or Icon Performance.


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Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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