MT-09 Tracer as my first bike

[nala9696]

Before you freak out, let me introduce myself..

Hi everyone this is my first post on BCF. My name is Alan and i am from Malaysia. I was bitten by the bike bug and have been looking for bikes for a while now. I'm interested in the MT-09 as of now for commuting and at the same time i'm also planning to get my bike license

-Here is the interesting part-
In Malaysia, we have 3 types of bike licenses - B1 (<250cc), B2 (<500cc) and B full (>500cc). It is totally possible to get a B Full license by skipping the two previously mentioned B1 and B2 license and in fact many people do just that to for cost cutting measure as the bikes are already extremely extremely expensive to start with.

So here is how things go with the B Full. First you enrol a Highway Code theory course (5 hours) in preparation for the exam. Upon passing the exam, you have to attend another rider theory course (6 hours). After that you would be given an L plate which you could put on your bike (which i'll skip) and ride as long as you do not carry any pillion rider and adhere to the local rules and regulations.

This is when you approach a riding school and enrol yourself in their B Full safety course. Typically for the B Full course, most riding schools use a de-restricted Kawasaki ER-6N and on occasion a Honda Shadow 750 (rare). The safety course is conducted in an obstacle course with test routes approved by the authority and it includes doing :
1) 1 1/2 rounds of Roundabout. Crossing a narrow cement bridge approximately 7 – 8 meter long (in at least 7 seconds), zig zagging among cones and emergency brake manoeuvres.
2)hand-signals involving left / right turning maneuvers, stopping, slowing down signals and finally stopping and resting the bike as in parking on “one-stand stance”.
3)Checking different components of the bikes such as mirrors horn brake lights etc.

This would typically take roughly 6-10 hours within a month, and extra practices can be arranged should the need arise. I know it is very basic and all, but is it possible for me to handle the MT-09 Tracer if i start out by riding in B-mode for someone like me of moderate build, 5'8 of height?). I see far too many people online getting big bikes through this method, and i was wondering if it is feasible or not. I know jumping onto the bandwagon on a whim isn't a good thing considering the dangerous nature of the sports, but i would really like to know what do you guys think.

Looking towards to hearing your opinions.
Cheers from Malaysia.

[Val]

Welcome to BCF

If you don't mind dropping brand new bike few times (which happens soon or later) then by all means get the brand new MT 900 Tracer.

It is a good idea to have your learning experience for the first few years on something that is not brand new.
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Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[ScaredyCat]

Go for it. Don't worry about dropping it. If you drop it, fix the broken bits and keep riding. Doesn't matter how much experience you have, you can still drop a bike.

Enjoy yourself and remember, the MT-09 might be a relatively powerful bike, but your right had controls that power - you're the one in charge.
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[Copycat73]

I`ve had one .. they are a hand-full .. the power kicks-in at a very low rpm. and is a frantic delivery .. watch for wheel spin exitin round abouts especially with new tires , in the damp/wet or where oil patches from busses and trucks have been deposited..

there are a couple of mods which make it better but they don`t fix the issue.

[kgm]

I think if you have the right kind of mindset, the right knowledge and previous road experience then it can be fine to start on a big bike, and I know plenty of people who it has worked for. Generalisations follow:

I'm glad I didn't for two reasons - firstly I know I'd have let my excitement get the better of me (but that's just me) and secondly because I think learning on a smaller lightweight bike teaches you more about actually riding and properly 'managing' (i.e. right gear, speed management, etc.) the bike because it takes more effort to do so than a bigger bike often does.

Whilst it's a cracking machine and one I'd love to own I'm not sure the MT09 is the best choice for a newbie - not because it has gobs of power but due the snappy way it delivers it's power. This can be fun for a rider with a bit of experience (I borrowed a Tuono twin for a day and it was similar, but an absolute blast) but most newbies are a bit ham fisted with the throttle to begin with and I don't think the MT09 is the most forgiving of this. There are worse big bikes you could choose but I also think there are better big bikes also where the power comes on more smoothly and predictably and being snatchy with the throttle won't have such a marked effect.

As stated you WILL drop it, probably early on and possibly more than once. This isn't a criticism - almost everyone does it at some point. It's like a right of passage. The MT09 will fare better than a faired sports bike in this respect but it will likely sustain damage so you have to ask yourself are you happy to accept that risk on a brand new bike with the associated cost of replacement parts? If not it might be sensible to get something older for a year or so until you get used to managing the bike. True that even experienced riders drop their bikes but it's far more likely early on.

Given that you don't seem to have any riding experience at all (I may be wrong), before you buy one I'd wait till you have tried a school ER6 or similar and see how your confidence and throttle management is. If you're able to be smooth with that and are comfortable that you won't get over excited and push past your capabilities too fast, and are not bothered about the potential damage to a new bike then go ahead, you probably won't regret it. If, however, you have doubts about any of these then it might be more sensible to look at something older and more easy going initially.

[barrkel]

Stepping up in stages is a way to counter the hedonic treadmill. If you get the bike with the most of what you want too soon, it leaves you without much to look forward to. Whereas if you get something a little lower down the pole, you can work upwards, upgrading as you get bored.

OTOH, delayed gratification isn't for everybody; mostly just successful, healthy, rational people.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[recman]

[grr666]

Been looking at those Sport Tracker MT09s lustfully of late. May have to give one a whirl before I plump for the Striple-R.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Apparently they've sorted the fuelling somewhat since the early iterations of the bike. But prior to that, tales of the 09 surging during cornering etc. were rife - just check youtube for owner reviews. It won't be long before you're encountering riders complaining - and some quite anxiously - about the way the bike would refuse a "maintenance throttle" (as the septics sometimes term it) through a bend. By contrast the 07 is said to have impeccable fuelling, and of course is noticeably lighter. A chunk cheaper too.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Bozzy]

^^^ You make a good point.

OP, what's wrong with an MT07? You've never ridden a bike before, you'll find anything over 500cc properly quick!

[Amber Phoenix]

There's always that new Tracer 700, based on the MT07...

The naked MT09 or MT07 will be cheaper on wallet when you do drop them.

I started out on a FZS600 - similar power ish, but bit older and cheaper. And yeah I dropped it, numerous times. But generally it only needed a new fairing and mirror (£200 and £80 brand new) each time, with the rest left scuffed or banged back into shape...

So how is the insurance on these newish bikes for a new rider out there? Here in London, insurance alone would preclude such a plan.
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007