Well, it's here, so thought I would start a new thread.
It dwarfed the MT on the drive this morning during the handover. Very smooth transaction with Hunts in Manchester, better service than I got with Paddock.
Just in time for the rain to arrive. Hope to get out on it in the next day or two.
Yea good. Very comfortable, although I had it in its softest setting and need to adjust the rear preload. Dash is fantastic. Engine is great as i already know, but you can feel the extra weight during acceleration. It's got softer mapping than the MT. Handles really nicely, there's more front end feeling than on the MT, but not by much. Panniers don't fit my lid though which is an oversight on my part. Screen is nice and along with the handguards and extra body work I feel more protected from the elements. Need to find the sweet spot for the screen though, it's not perfect. Although every review I read on touring bike screens for riders over 6ft says there's no perfect screen.
The looks will grow on me, I appreciate it's not the prettiest.
KungFooBob wrote: Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:52 pm
Is there a running in process, or can you just thrash it?
I think ugly bikes have a certain charm
Just the usual in the first 600/1000 miles. I just refrain from labouring the engine and work the gearbox as much as I can in that time. I don't religiously stick to the rpm limits. As the long as the engine is warm and don't rinse it.
Charm is one way of putting it. The really pretty bikes I like either dont suit me or are too expensive. Maybe one day.
Count Steer wrote: Wed Aug 27, 2025 2:07 pm
Blimey! That's a screen-and-half.
Wouldn't even fit in Supermofos topbox!
TBH if it works well in the rain and doesn't create buffeting of the old bonce I'd be a fan even if it looked taller. (Remembering the trouble I had getting a R1150GS screen to stop shaking my teeth out at certain speeds if I didn't duck down a bit!).
tricol wrote: Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:51 pm
Handles really nicely, there's more front end feeling than on the MT, but not by much
I rode the model before of each which were supposed to be not as good as the current ones, but lack of front feel was one of my main issues with the MT for me. When I jumped on the GSXS it wasn't only the monster of an engine but more the plugged into the road feel it gave, it felt like a sportsbike compared to a more SM feel of the MT.
Hope you manage to avoid the rain and get some miles in I like the colour
Count Steer wrote: Wed Aug 27, 2025 2:07 pm
Blimey! That's a screen-and-half.
Wouldn't even fit in Supermofos topbox!
TBH if it works well in the rain and doesn't create buffeting of the old bonce I'd be a fan even if it looked taller. (Remembering the trouble I had getting a R1150GS screen to stop shaking my teeth out at certain speeds if I didn't duck down a bit!).
The only way to guarantee smooth airflow is to have no (or very low) screen so that your head is actually not in the turbulent air that comes off the screen. You'll develop the requisite neck musculature in no time.
... or a screen so huge your head is within the pocket of "still" air behind the screen - but the only bikes that manage that are things like K1600GTs and GoldWings. Or cars.
Congrats on the new wheels @tricol , I hope it rekindles the mojo a bit!
TBH if it works well in the rain and doesn't create buffeting of the old bonce I'd be a fan even if it looked taller. (Remembering the trouble I had getting a R1150GS screen to stop shaking my teeth out at certain speeds if I didn't duck down a bit!).
The only way to guarantee smooth airflow is to have no (or very low) screen so that your head is actually not in the turbulent air that comes off the screen. You'll develop the requisite neck musculature in no time.
... or a screen so huge your head is within the pocket of "still" air behind the screen - but the only bikes that manage that are things like K1600GTs and GoldWings. Or cars.
Congrats on the new wheels @tricol , I hope it rekindles the mojo a bit!
Yup. The electric screen on the K12LT was pretty good (along with a fairing the size of Kansas ).
I think the screen on the K12GT was pretty good to. That may have been electrically adjustable too but can't remember for sure.
TBH if it works well in the rain and doesn't create buffeting of the old bonce I'd be a fan even if it looked taller. (Remembering the trouble I had getting a R1150GS screen to stop shaking my teeth out at certain speeds if I didn't duck down a bit!).
The only way to guarantee smooth airflow is to have no (or very low) screen so that your head is actually not in the turbulent air that comes off the screen. You'll develop the requisite neck musculature in no time.
... or a screen so huge your head is within the pocket of "still" air behind the screen - but the only bikes that manage that are things like K1600GTs and GoldWings. Or cars.
Congrats on the new wheels @tricol , I hope it rekindles the mojo a bit!
Yup. The electric screen on the K12LT was pretty good (along with a fairing the size of Kansas ).
I think the screen on the K12GT was pretty good to. That may have been electrically adjustable too but can't remember for sure.
IIRC it was on the one I test rode. If I had a nice large garage to keep it in, I'd be tempted by one.
The new Tracer 9 GT by Colin, on Flickr
My new Yamaha Tracer 9 GT by Colin, on Flickr
I like the colour 
).
