Yamaha XSR900 GP
Yamaha have finally pulled the covers off the long rumoured sporty version of the XSR900, meet the XSR900 GP.
For me there is a bit of TZR250 and FZR1000 DNA in the styling, and I think it works pretty well.
The colouring also brings back memories of the Marlboro branding seen on many race going Yamahas in the 1980s and 90s. While the grey option brings back visions of the sexy FZR1000 Genesis machines I lusted after back in the day.
The silver Deltabox frame also brings back some rose coloured glasses retrospection for those of a certain age, me included.
Those bikes though didn’t have a fancy electronic dash, six-axis IMU driven traction control and ABS, nor the fizzing basket of delight that is Yamaha’s fizzing 889 cc triple-cylinder engine.
One of the most entertaining engines currently in production, at 115 horsepower the characterful triple is only 20 ponies down on the original Yamaha FZR Genesis spotsbike, and that was one of the fastest motorcycles ever made when it debuted 35 years ago.
A clever trick from yesteryear that helps mimic the bikes it is styled on is the way the upper fairing is fixed via tubular rails.
The dash may be a flat electronic panel but the digital tachometer is at least styled like something pukka 80s You could sort of fool yourself when crouched in tight and hanging on to the clip-ons while reliving your yoof. While wishing you had the two-way quick-shifter and cruise control of this XSR900 GP back then…
Yamaha reckon that tiny looking single headlamp does the job at ‘maintaining excellent illumination’, guess we will have to wait and see on that one.
Sure, the XSR900 GP is primarily just a styling exercise to widen the appeal of the platform, but at least it is a pretty good one.
That said, Yamaha do tell us that the frame, sub-frame and steering stem have all been tweaked to work with the revised riding position along with lighter rims. The KYB suspension is fully-adjustable and a Brembo radial master cylinder should provide better feel and control than the donor bike. So it is a bit more than just show pony…
The new XSR900 GP will be available in two colours Legend Red and Power Grey. Delivery dates to Australian dealers and prices have not yet been set.
