By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
BMW R 1300 RS (MY2026) vs Yamaha Tracer 9 (MY2021-GT)
BMW R 1300 RS vs Yamaha Tracer 9: which one you'd rather spend the big miles on.
You'll feel the BMW R 1300 RS shove you past highway traffic the instant you roll the throttle open. On the Yamaha Tracer 9, the triple's already pulling hard from low revs, and you've barely turned your wrist.
So which one do you buy?
The R 1300 RS has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: R 1300 RS
On a twisty road, the R 1300 RS edges ahead. What tips it: a sportier chassis and stronger brakes. Not by enough to settle it alone.
Comfortable long-distance riding
By a nose: R 1300 RS
The R 1300 RS should leave you a bit fresher after a long day. That comes from more stability at speed. Should, not will: the margin is small.
What makes each one tick
R 1300 RS
Mass sits packed in close around the R 1300 RS's boxer, and the stiffer frame turns that into steering that's neutral at corner entry. The front doesn't fall in or run wide as the bike settles onto its line. The boxer punches out of bends. The seat still soaks up a long day.
Tracer 9
The Tracer 9's triple stacks torque from low rpm into the middle of its range. The front drops into a bend lightly, then doesn't budge off its line. That howl from the triple hooks you.
Nils rode the Tracer 9 in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The R 1300 RS has the lower seat: 31.1 in (790 mm) vs 31.9 in (810 mm).
- The Tracer 9 has the lower wet weight: 485 lb (220 kg) vs 536 lb (243 kg).
- The R 1300 RS makes more peak power: 145 hp (107 kW) vs 119 hp (88 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
A first bike should forgive mistakes, and these two don't do that well enough. Come back to them later.
On commuting and running costs, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
R 1300 RS
What owners say
Strengths
- More powerful boxer engine
- Sharper, sportier handling
Tracer 9
What owners say
Strengths
- Engine character — torquey, flexible CP3
- Excellent value — comprehensive standard kit
- Chassis precision and agility
- Functional semi-active KYB suspension
- Comprehensive electronics package
Trade-offs
- Wind buffeting and helmet noise
- Stock seat — slope and hardness
- Handlebar vibration zone 3.8–5.0k rpm
- Hard 1st-gear engagement and occasional false neutrals
- Two-screen TFT layout (GT only) — cluttered, daylight contrast
Known problems to check before you buy
R 1300 RS
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Tracer 9
- Cruise control orange light flashes; cruise cannot be set or resumed The cruise control indicator flashes and the system refuses to set or resume. Cause traced in some cases to a sticky front-brake light switch or clutch-position switch (cruise interlocks) — sometimes resolved by an ignition cycle, sometimes requiring switch replacement; some owners report recurrence after dealer-replaced switches.
- Vibration through handlebar and footpegs in the 3,800–5,000 rpm range Owners report a buzz/numbness through the handlebar concentrated at approximately 3,800–5,000 rpm — a range that overlaps with 6th-gear highway cruising for many speeds. Smooths above approximately 5,000 rpm. Inherent to the long-stroke CP3 in this chassis.
- Front turn-signal mounting brackets work loose The front indicator stalks loosen at the bracket mounting point; light contact (e.g., a brush in the garage) can detach them. Refastening securely is difficult.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| R 1300 RS | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 536 lb (243 kg) | 485 lb (220 kg) |
| R 1300 RS | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1300 cc | 890 cc |
| Engine | Flat-twin (boxer) | Inline-three |
| Cooling | Air/liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 145 hp (107 kW) | 119 hp (88 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,750 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 110 lb-ft (149 Nm) | 69 lb-ft (93 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,500 rpm | 7,000 rpm |
| R 1300 RS | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 US gal (17 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
| R 1300 RS | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Shaft | Chain |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 298 mm |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 180/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| R 1300 RS | Tracer 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Option | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Option | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Option |
| Heated Grips | Option | Standard |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
