Modern 'sport tourers' - GSX-S1000?

[dankatz]

Didn't forget - it's right there

What I'm saying is the Tracer 9 isn't a competitor to the GSX1000GT, different class of bike. I think it's a great machine, but expect it would suffer in the 2-up category - at least for me who is 6'2" 225 lbs. Yamaha should definitely build a Tracer 10 (1?) on the CP4 platform - That would be a direct competitor to the GSX-1000GT.



Gearing falls into the same category as what tires ship with the bike. Every time I read a bike review and the author complains about the tires I just shake my head. These are consumables and rider preference items - install whatever you want.

I have to say that I have ridden two up and granted our combined weight was closer to 300 lbs than 400 lbs, but found the Tracer 900GT very similar to my multistrada 1260 and a smidgen less comfortable than the R1250GS.
I agree - for two up a bigger bike with more power would be better. If you ride 2 up all the time than get something bigger. If you ride two up once a month, I would think even the Tracer 9 would be fine. IN any case, I don't think it is a whole category down from the Suzuki...maybe a quarter category down :-)

[Kurlon]

6th at 45?, that's 4th for me. You can ride at higher gear/lower revs, but it'll scream pretty well down a gear or two.

Our perception of / need for speed varies, but if I'm cruising the Kanc and there's a 50mph sightseer ahead, a drop to 4th and a twist hits 80 very quickly.

Oh, it depends on my mood, if I'm just on regular roads, in traffic, etc, cruising, yeah, 6th at 45mph and the bike is happy and quiet but still responsive without feeling like I'm lugging the motor.

If I'm in a different mood, yeah, wildly different shift points.