The retro-styled Yamaha XSR900 is due to arrive in dealerships in the next few weeks, and will be priced at $12,999 plus on-road costs.
The bike is based on the very popular MT-09 and was created with design input from famed motorcycle racer and customiser Roland Sands.
In creating the original concept for the XSR900, Roland Sands Design adopted Yamaha’s “Faster Sons” philosophy.
Yamaha Motor Europe Product Manager, Shun Miyazawa explained the philosophy as “a mind-set to respect what comes from the old days, pureness, quality materials and design simplicity, blended with cutting edge technology.”
Staying true to that philiosophy, the XSR900 has a simplistic design with aluminium fuel tank covers, aluminium guards and a round retro instrument panel, headlight and taillight.
The stitched split level seat adds to the retro feel, and to pay homage to Yamaha’s racing heritage the XSR900 is available in the classic yellow and black “bumblebee” colour scheme reminiscent of Yamaha’s race bikes of the 70’s and 80’s.
The matte grey colour scheme seen in Yamaha’s release photos of the XSR900 is also likely to be offered in Australia.
Yamaha has combined the retro look and feel with the latest technology of the MT-09.
The XSR900 uses the same 847cc Crossplane Crankshaft Concept 3-cylinder engine that generates 85kW and 88Nm..
The “Crossplane Crankshaft Concept” smooths out the torque delivery of the engine by minimising the inertial forces caused as the pistons change direction in the engine.
It’s a similar concept to the design of the 1000cc engine in the R1, and gives the triple its quick-revving and torquey character.
The XSR900 also has Yamaha’s fly-by-wire throttle and three setting D-MODE power control, traction control, ABS, an Assist & Slipper clutch.
The frame is lightweight aluminium alloy, and the swingarm is mounted outside the frame to give a narrower footpeg position and more comfortable seating position for the rider.
The front suspension is 41mm upside down forks with adjustable rebound damping, and the single mono shock on the rear has both preload and rebound damping adjustment.
Overall weight of the XSR900 is 195kg fuelled and ready to ride.
Given the resurgence in popularity of retro-styled motorcycles and the sales success of the MT-09 on which the new bike is based, Yamaha seems to be on a winner with the XSR900.