Yamaha goes retro flavour for a new version of the triple-power bike with the 2024 XSR 900 GP.
Nostalgia is an ever tempting lure – although when it comes to this particular bike, the question might be who is feeling the nostalgia. The look of the Yamaha XSR900 GP is intended as a tribute to the great Yamaha racers of the 1980s including Wayne Rainey who road for Yamaha on the YZR500 in similar colours with winning results back in the 1980. The look works, even going so far as to create spots for your favourite racing number on both the front fairing and behind the seat. The XSR 900 GP is a valiant effort at breathing some life into the XSR, which is after more than a decade on the markets, still a sweet ride with one of the nicest engines, the 889 inline triple, you will find on a street bike,
You get the old-time looks which is great – and it is only skin deep which is again great as the riding characteristics of a 1980s racebike would not be for everyone. Beneath the surface are all the goodies of a modern motorcycle include (according to Yamaha:
- New 5-inch full-colour TFT display with connectivity
- High grade fully adjustable front and rear KYB suspension
- Newly designed clip-on handlebars and handlebar switches
- Deltabox-style chassis with increased rigidity
- Revised, 80s-inspired main seat, new side covers and removable seat cover
- New style footpegs and positioning
- Yamaha Ride Control YRC and 6-axis IMU
- Cruise control, third-gen Quick Shift System and A&S Clutch
- Sophisticated EU5+ high-torque 890cc CP3 engine
- Yamaha Spinforged wheels fitted with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres
If you are a big Wayne Rainey fan, there is one little bit of bad news, so far there is no indication that the XSR 900 GP will be making an appearance in Canada.
