Finding the motorcycle that perfectly reflects Yamaha’s DNA is not an easy task, as the entire range could meet these demands. There are retro examples like the Bolt R-Spec, a cruiser that offers old-fashioned fun with modern reliability. There’s the YZF-R1M, a technology feast that only a few can fully utilize. Models like the YZF-R9 and Tenere 700 fall somewhere in the middle, offering a combination of technology and fun that keeps your feet firmly on the ground. However, there is one specific motorcycle that combines all of Yamaha’s features extremely well in one package.
The Yamaha XSR900 is the motorcycle that perfectly reflects Yamaha’s DNA
Yamaha’s XSR range of motorcycles covers a wide range of engine displacements, starting with 125cc in European markets, and the largest of them all is the It has the right proportions, the right (Yamaha anniversary) colors and the chassis and drivetrain have been long-time fan favorites. For its eagerness and ability to put a big smile on your face, coupled with its stress-free ownership experience, the XSR900 is the motorcycle that perfectly reflects Yamaha’s DNA.
The neo-retro middleweight Naked Bike segment is considerably larger than you might think, with a wide range of products available at different price points. The XSR900 sits right in the middle at $10,599, but it also delivers value for that price.
Three cylinders provide a lot of fun
The XSR900 is powered by a very well-known engine. This reel is not only fun, but also incredibly versatile. It debuted over a decade ago and hasn’t needed any changes since. However, Yamaha has moved on to a touring motorcycle and a sport bike, and they are just as fun as the MT-09.
This 890cc engine makes 117 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 68.6 pound-feet at 7,000 rpm, but the real story is how strong it is at any rpm and in any gear. The value of a single firing order has now been proven, while others are following in Yamaha’s footsteps. There is a six-speed manual gearbox with assist and slipper clutch, and there is also a third-generation quickshifter that shifts up or down with the throttle open or closed.
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Same base as the MT-09
The XSR900 is the MT-09 with different styling, and that’s no bad thing. The chassis is therefore a cast aluminum frame, but it is unique in that it consists of two halves (the right and left halves) bolted together. A standard box-shaped aluminum swingarm connects to the chassis. On the suspension front, the 41mm inverted KYB forks have adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound, while the rear shock has adjustable spring preload and rebound damping. Available suspension travel is 5.1 inches in the front and 5.4 inches in the rear.
Finally, the brakes consist of dual 298mm discs up front, paired with four-piston radial fixed calipers and also a Brembo radial master cylinder, while at the rear a 245mm disc features a surprisingly performance-oriented two-piston fixed caliper. 17-inch spin-forged alloy wheels and tubeless tires are included.
Compact dimensions and low weight
The XSR900 is a midweight size, with an overall length of 84.8 inches and a width of almost 40 inches. The wheelbase is less than 59 inches, which is what makes it so agile. Ground clearance is over 5.5 inches and the fuel tank is slightly small at 3.7 gallons. However, for a city bike that is quite doable, especially since Yamaha claims 49 MPG from this XSR. With the tank full it weighs 425 pounds wet, which is on par with the competition regardless of cylinders.
Definitely a modern set of features here
The XSR900 may look gloriously retro, but Yamaha made a logical decision and gave it a 5-inch TFT screen, a six-axis IMU and a by-wire throttle. That means it gets riding modes, cornering traction control, cornering ABS, slider (three levels), selectable wheelie control and a back-slip controller to prevent the rear wheel from locking up during aggressive downshifts.
There’s also cruise control, which can be engaged from 40 km/h in third gear and above. Bluetooth is available, as is navigation via Garmin StreetCross. Self-cancelling turn signals with a lane change function are standard. It’s a real shame that the ‘Racer’ aftermarket OEM kit that turns the XSR into an old-school racer isn’t officially available in the US market, as it takes the design so much to the next level.
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Yamaha XSR900 Competition
Anyone who buys one of these is in for a treat. Or a lot of confusion. Each participant brings their own motorcycle style to the party. There are 270-degree parallel twins, a 90-degree V-twin, a boxer twin, inline threes with both even and odd firing orders, and an inline four available in this segment. Let’s start with the most affordable, the Triumph Trident 800 ($9,995). It’s a nice bike with good features, but Triumph continues to use the strange LCD/TFT instrument cluster, where the TFT component is very small compared to the others.
Another manufacturer that does this better is Suzuki and its GSX-8T ($10,649). This gets a true rectangular TFT screen, just like the XSR. However, it is significantly heavier than the Yamaha, and its performance is better suited to lower class vehicles. Next, if you want a truly retro machine, you can’t do better than the Triumph Speed Twin 900 ($10,895). Triumph has brought it into the 21st century with the same instrument cluster as the Trident, and it also has a six-axis IMU. A few premium motorcycles that qualify here are the Ducati Monster ($12,995 – MY 2025) and BMW R 12 ($13,145). They both bring a different flavor to the table: the Italian with its 90 degree V-twin, the German with its boxer twin and shaft drive.
However, the XSR900’s natural competition is the Kawasaki Z900RS. It’s been around for a while, but Kawasaki recently updated it and gave it a full electronics suite, so it now has cruise control, a quickshifter and cornering safety, like the Yamaha does. It has the old-fashioned, smooth-firing inline-four engine that focuses more on torque than power. The price could work against it, as it’s almost as expensive as the Ducati(!) despite features like an analogue/LCD instrument cluster.
Yamaha XSR900 vs Kawasaki Z900RS
Model | YamahaXSR900 | Kawasaki Z900RS |
Price | $10,599 | $12,899 |
Engine type | I3, transverse plane | i4 |
Displacement | 890cc | 948cc |
Current | 117 hp at 10,000 rpm | 115 hp at 9,300 rpm |
Couple | 68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 rpm | 73 LB-FT @ 7,700 rpm |
Control weight | 425 pounds (wet) | 476 pounds (wet) |
Source: Yamaha Motorsports
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