The 2013 GS has been bugging me lately. The winter months have taken its toll on the engine and drive shaft paint. Some of the micro switches on the bars haven't functioned straight away. Silly things start playing tricks on your mind - especially now it was 22,000 miles further down the road than when I started and no warranty.
Ever since the Tracer arrived, I had always fancied a go.
A couple of weeks ago a test ride was arranged on a 2017 model. I had no preconceived ideas and went with an open mind.
First thoughts when moving it were how light it was - and we haven't got going yet.
The Tracer just dips the revs when finding the bite point of the clutch (which means it stalls much easier.) The GS clutch has a satisfying mechanical feel to the bite point.
The seat is hard which highlights how good a standard GS seat is.
I could barely hear the engine running whereas the GS had a full exhaust with baffle out.
It felt nice and light getting out of town but so does the GS.
Straight away the standard screen was annoying with its buffeting (in any position). To be fair I had the same issue with the GS and bought an MSA screen which is brilliant.
Considering the Tracer is 300cc down but has 1 cylinder more it goes very nicely. It does lack the initial drive of the GS but gains in the top end rush.
Its definitely a B road hustler and loves to be chucked into corners. The lack of weight over the GS became more obvious on familiar roads. And it wheelies very easily.
I know all the bumps on my usual ride to work and the GS will happily lift its front wheel when cresting them, but the Tracer was finding others due to the lack of weight.
Braking was weird at first due to the normal front fork configuration. The GS just slows down level whilst the YAM wants to pitch down. Just need to re-calibrate your riding style.
I like the fact its a relatively simple bike. OK it has ABS and TCS, but that's it.
I've had 3 and a half years and 50,000 on 2 GS's and they've been great bikes.
The deal was done and the Tracer was picked up on Saturday - we're gonna get along just fine.
Ever since the Tracer arrived, I had always fancied a go.
A couple of weeks ago a test ride was arranged on a 2017 model. I had no preconceived ideas and went with an open mind.
First thoughts when moving it were how light it was - and we haven't got going yet.
The Tracer just dips the revs when finding the bite point of the clutch (which means it stalls much easier.) The GS clutch has a satisfying mechanical feel to the bite point.
The seat is hard which highlights how good a standard GS seat is.
I could barely hear the engine running whereas the GS had a full exhaust with baffle out.
It felt nice and light getting out of town but so does the GS.
Straight away the standard screen was annoying with its buffeting (in any position). To be fair I had the same issue with the GS and bought an MSA screen which is brilliant.
Considering the Tracer is 300cc down but has 1 cylinder more it goes very nicely. It does lack the initial drive of the GS but gains in the top end rush.
Its definitely a B road hustler and loves to be chucked into corners. The lack of weight over the GS became more obvious on familiar roads. And it wheelies very easily.
I know all the bumps on my usual ride to work and the GS will happily lift its front wheel when cresting them, but the Tracer was finding others due to the lack of weight.
Braking was weird at first due to the normal front fork configuration. The GS just slows down level whilst the YAM wants to pitch down. Just need to re-calibrate your riding style.
I like the fact its a relatively simple bike. OK it has ABS and TCS, but that's it.
I've had 3 and a half years and 50,000 on 2 GS's and they've been great bikes.
The deal was done and the Tracer was picked up on Saturday - we're gonna get along just fine.