Yamaha has applied for the Tracer name trademark in India. The Japanese bike maker has already got Tracer nameplate in its global portfolio with 900cc and 700cc offerings in the sports-tourer segment. By filing the trademark application for the same name here in India, Yamaha has sparked the rumours of bringing the nameplate to the Indian market.
Tracer 900 and Tracer 700 are based on the same structural underpinnings and comes equipped with all typical characteristics of road-biased tourers. Both bikes have a tall stance, split seats, raised tails, split grab handles, MT-15-like fuel tank, and twin exhausts.
There are two possibilities as far as entry of new Tracer nameplate in India is concerned. Yamaha could bring Tracer 900 via the CBU route which means the price will be on the higher end of the price spectrum. The bike will get 847cc, in-line 3-cylinder motor that puts out 113.45bhp@ 10000 rpm and 87.5Nm@ 8500 rpm. The gearbox unit will feature a 6-speed ratio. The flagship offering will come equipped with features such as LED lights, a 3-step traction control system, a TFT instrument cluster, cruise control, and a slipper clutch. Tracer 900, if launched in India, will compete against the likes of Triumph Tiger 850 sport/900 and Ducati Multistrada 950 S.
There is another possibility as well. Yamaha could also introduce the Tracer brand in sub-400cc, entry-level tourer segment in India. In that case, the bike will get a 250cc engine which is currently doing duty in MT-25 and FZ25. The motor puts out 20.5bhp@ 8000 rpm and 20.1Nm@ 6000 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. If this version makes its entry in India, then it will be up against the KTM 250 adventure, Hero Xpulse 200, BMW 310 GS, and Royal Enfield Himalayan among others. There could be a 150cc version as well. Earlier reports suggest a powerful version of 150 and 250cc are coming. This could be those and they can easily replace Fazer with Tracer and offer more of everything to customers who are looking for a premium offering.
