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Heritage models or modern classics or whatever else one might want to call them, it can be said with utmost certainty that these motorcycles are all the rage. Being one of the most prominent motorcycle manufacturers in the world, Yamaha isn't planning to be left behind either. The Iwata manufacturer had already tapped into the class with their XSR900 but they decided to dial things to 11 with the XSR900 GP.
Inspired by the glory captured by Yamaha in the 80s and a good part of the 90s, the Yamaha XSR900 GP's styling is reminiscent of the 1980s Grand Prix bikes. Not everything on the motorcycle is retro though. Yamaha's aim was to blend heritage and modern technology and with the XSR900 GP, they have succeeded, to say the least.
At first glance, one can tell that the styling is inspired by the YZR500 Grand Prix motorcycle. The inference is clear from the front fairing and the seat hump. It is a fitting tribute to the Grand Prix motorcycles ridden to multiple victories and championships by some of the most iconic racers of the era. With the retro styling, Yamaha has also used modern aerodynamics to ensure that the acceleration and the top speed of the XSR900 GP is on par with the motorcycles of its class at present.
Another blend of modern and retro is the 5" TFT display that features an analogue-style tachometer as a shoutout to the past. While it looks retro, the display is Bluetooth capable ensuring smartphone connectivity for a rich and modern riding experience. Another modern bit is the suspension on the XSR900 GP; fully adjustable USD forks from KYB along with a link-type rear shock to ensure sporty and confidence-inspiring handling characteristics.
In a bid to live up to the racer-styling of the XSR900 GP, Yamaha has equipped it with riser clip-on handlebars fixed above the top yoke. This ensures a sporty riding position and also, more weight on the front end for enhanced feedback and riding dynamics. Along with that, the footpeg position has also been revised and now has two positions, upper and lower. This has also been done to lean the ergonomics of the XSR900 GP to the sportier side and increase cornering clearance. The chassis is Yamaha's famed Deltabox-style and fittingly, it was debuted by the Iwata manufacturer in the 80s.
Moving on to the really modern bits, the XSR900 GP is equipped with Yamaha Ride Control working alongside a 6-axis IMU. Derived from the R1, the system bestows upon the motorcycle a rich riders-aid system comprising lean-sensitive traction control, lean-sensitive ABS, slide control, and front wheel lift control. There are 4 riding modes; Sport, Street, and Rain along with a custom preset that can be tuned by the rider. Finally, the Yamaha XSR900 GP is also equipped with an up-down quickshifter (3rd-gen) along with an assist & slipper clutch.
Finally, coming to the engine, the XSR900 GP is propelled by the 890cc CP3 engine; Yamaha's signature 3-cylinder mill that is good for 119 ps of power and 93 Nm of torque. Pushing 200 kg (kerb) of XSR900GP, the engine has more than enough grunt to ensure a sporty ride and some fast lap times even on the racetrack. To aid one's racetrack exploits, the XSR900GP gets Spinforged wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres.
The XSR900GP package can be further augmented by a host of accessories our favourite of which is the Akrapovič full exhaust system the design of which goes extremely well with the retro styling of the XSR900GP.
Inspired by the glory captured by Yamaha in the 80s and a good part of the 90s, the Yamaha XSR900 GP's styling is reminiscent of the 1980s Grand Prix bikes. Not everything on the motorcycle is retro though. Yamaha's aim was to blend heritage and modern technology and with the XSR900 GP, they have succeeded, to say the least.
At first glance, one can tell that the styling is inspired by the YZR500 Grand Prix motorcycle. The inference is clear from the front fairing and the seat hump. It is a fitting tribute to the Grand Prix motorcycles ridden to multiple victories and championships by some of the most iconic racers of the era. With the retro styling, Yamaha has also used modern aerodynamics to ensure that the acceleration and the top speed of the XSR900 GP is on par with the motorcycles of its class at present.
Another blend of modern and retro is the 5" TFT display that features an analogue-style tachometer as a shoutout to the past. While it looks retro, the display is Bluetooth capable ensuring smartphone connectivity for a rich and modern riding experience. Another modern bit is the suspension on the XSR900 GP; fully adjustable USD forks from KYB along with a link-type rear shock to ensure sporty and confidence-inspiring handling characteristics.
In a bid to live up to the racer-styling of the XSR900 GP, Yamaha has equipped it with riser clip-on handlebars fixed above the top yoke. This ensures a sporty riding position and also, more weight on the front end for enhanced feedback and riding dynamics. Along with that, the footpeg position has also been revised and now has two positions, upper and lower. This has also been done to lean the ergonomics of the XSR900 GP to the sportier side and increase cornering clearance. The chassis is Yamaha's famed Deltabox-style and fittingly, it was debuted by the Iwata manufacturer in the 80s.
Moving on to the really modern bits, the XSR900 GP is equipped with Yamaha Ride Control working alongside a 6-axis IMU. Derived from the R1, the system bestows upon the motorcycle a rich riders-aid system comprising lean-sensitive traction control, lean-sensitive ABS, slide control, and front wheel lift control. There are 4 riding modes; Sport, Street, and Rain along with a custom preset that can be tuned by the rider. Finally, the Yamaha XSR900 GP is also equipped with an up-down quickshifter (3rd-gen) along with an assist & slipper clutch.
Finally, coming to the engine, the XSR900 GP is propelled by the 890cc CP3 engine; Yamaha's signature 3-cylinder mill that is good for 119 ps of power and 93 Nm of torque. Pushing 200 kg (kerb) of XSR900GP, the engine has more than enough grunt to ensure a sporty ride and some fast lap times even on the racetrack. To aid one's racetrack exploits, the XSR900GP gets Spinforged wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres.
The XSR900GP package can be further augmented by a host of accessories our favourite of which is the Akrapovič full exhaust system the design of which goes extremely well with the retro styling of the XSR900GP.
