COMPARISON I SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT+ VS YAMAHA TRACER 9 GT+
P82
you really need it. If you're doing
big miles where there are lots of
freeways, there is no question
that having radar-adaptive cruise
control is a game changer. But
if you're more akin to backroad
twisties with minimal straight
roads, perhaps you won't need it.
Suzuki runs the SDMS (Suzuki
Drive Mode Select), which retains
A, B and C modes for full, medi
-
um, or soft throttle response. The
Yamaha, by contrast, has four
modes of Rain, Street, Sport and
Custom, and I found over the test
I would spend most of the time
in Street mode.
As mentioned, the Yamaha's
modes change everything within
the machine—throttle response,
suspension setup, traction, slide
and wheelie control—whereas
the Suzuki's SDMS only influ
-
ences the throttle response.
However, the Suzuki's KYB fork
and shock are set up nicely from
the factory so the fact I couldn't
change the suspension modes
on the fly meant very little to me.
Regarding the chassis perfor-
mance, this is where the two bikes
really stand apart. They are dia-
metrically opposed, as one is ef-
fectively a sport bike and the other
a supermoto with a big screen.
The Yamaha's ergonomics
help the rider carve through
corners with exceptional ease.
The steering is sharper and
(Above) Mission control for the Suzuki is basic
at best, which isn't a bad thing. (Left) Suzuki's first
TFT dash is a good example of giving the rider
everything they need and nothing they don't.
(Above) Adjusting the Yamaha's
myriad of electronics is done via the
little joystick on the left handlebar.
Some love it, others not so much.
(Left) Yamaha ditched the split
screen dash layout for 2024, and the
result is a much easier-to-read and
conventional design.
