Back In Time with the Yamaha XSR900 GP.

Retro is on trend, as it has been throughout the past decades. People reflect on their past and the evocative feelings of better times or missed opportunities. Motorcycle manufacturers have bought into this desire of the public to buy into nostalgia and produce modern models of historical icons. BMW, with its R18, and Indian, with its Scout designs, are two examples. The Japanese brands have caught on; hence, we see the Yamaha XSR900 GP.

The 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP resembles the naked XSR900 model in some ways, but it has subtle differences which make it a stonker of a bike. The front forks are the same fully adjustable items from KYB, so you have preload, compression rebound damping to play with, and travel of 130mm. The rear appears to be the same KYB fully adjustable system, although Yamaha claims the GP has only 131mm of travel, not 137mm of the XSR900. The GP's settings are slightly different and more biased towards sporty road and track riding.

The change to the handlebars, being lower-set, narrower, and slightly more swept back, make a lot of difference to riding. The switchgear has also been altered, featuring a soft touch on the indicator, which flashes the indicator three times when tapped. The rears are a new design, slightly higher placed and more rearward. The seat of the XSR900 GP features a thicker, more heavily padded cover for greater comfort. The retro GP replica has considerable differences in styling; it looks like no new model is available.

The Yamaha XSR900 GP evokes memories of the golden era. The XSR900 GP is the ultimate blend of heritage racing style combined with the latest cutting-edge technology to offer a thrilling ride that stimulates the senses like no other. Reminiscent of the YZR500 ridden to victory by iconic Yamaha racers in the '80s and '90s, the XSR900 GP is a celebration of Yamaha's racing pedigree like never seen before. The YZR Grand Prix racer-inspired front fairing and seat hump evoke memories of the Golden Era of Grand Prix racing, celebrating some of the most iconic race bikes of Yamaha's past.

Don't be fooled by the heritage style – underneath the bodywork lies the latest in cutting-edge Yamaha technology, resulting in a competent machine that thrills with each throttle twist. The newest braking and suspension components enhance the ride, while integrated riding modes and an extensive electronics package raise the bar even further. The XSR900 features an upper cowling reminiscent of the 1980s' Golden Era' of Grand Prix racing. The cowling, combined with separate knuckle guards, not only gives off vibes of the YZR500, but the added aerodynamic effect increases top speed and acceleration. A colour-matched seat cover on the passenger seat completes the racer look with a boxy 1980s-style rear end.

The Yamaha XSR900 GP has a 5-inch full-colour TFT display housed in the retro-styled cockpit. You can choose from four display themes to suit a range of riding experiences, including an analogue-style tachometer inspired by yesteryear race bikes. For an enriched riding experience, smartphone connectivity comes as standard on the XSR900 GP, ensuring that you can stay connected while riding by linking your smartphone with your machine via the MyRide app.

In line with the mantra of blending yesterday's style with modern technology, the XSR900 GP boasts the latest in suspension technology, including fully adjustable KYB upside-down forks and link-type rear suspension, which are both optimised for enhanced handling to accommodate the sporty riding style.

The XSR900 GP has riser clip-on handlebars fixed above the top yoke to offer a sporty riding style to suit its race-inspired aesthetic. It moves the rider further forward on the machine, increasing the load on the front to provide the more precise feeling expected from a race-style machine but with enough comfort for road riding.

Yamaha first introduced the Deltabox frame in their Grand Prix bikes in the '80s – pioneering a new technology that shaped the future of the sport production motorcycle. The Deltabox-style frame remains at the heart of many Yamaha motorcycles, including the XSR900 GP. To accommodate the XSR900 GP's sportier riding position, the chassis has improved stability in turning and increased front-end feedback.

The comfortable rider's seat is designed with the style of '80s and '90s racers in mind. Enclosed side panels are added beneath the seat to continue the half-faired race look and are secured with race-style D-Ring fasteners for quick and effortless removal. The seat cover sits over the passenger area and can be removed for pillion riding. The die-cast aluminium footrests are adjustable in two positions – upper and lower. These footrest positions have been revised to match the sportier ergonomics, accommodating the new seating position and dropped, clip-on handlebars.

The motorcycle has an advanced 6-axis IMU based on the R1 model. This IMU controls a range of rider aids, such as Lean Sensitive Traction Control and ABS, Slide Control, and a front-wheel Lift Control System. With Yamaha Ride Control, you can choose the engine power characteristic and level of assistance from the rider aids sensitive to leaning angles to match your preferences and the road conditions. The bike has three pre-set integrated riding modes: ' SPORT', 'STREET', and 'RAIN'. These modes come with factory settings and different levels of assistance to suit various conditions. You can also adjust the settings manually with the 'CUSTOM' option.

Experience an even more exciting ride with Yamaha's latest technology, including the third-generation Quick Shift System. This system allows you to change gears without using the clutch when upshifting under acceleration and downshifting. You can also use the standard cruise control and the new intuitive switch gear, simplifying longer-distance riding. The A&S Clutch (Assist and Slipper) feature also helps keep the bike stable during sporty riding.

The high-torque 890cc CP3 engine, combined with the light and agile Deltabox chassis, is perfect for the sportier riding position of the XSR900 GP. The triple-cylinder roar's acoustic harmony heightens the feeling of acceleration with every twist of the throttle, offering the sportiest riding experience of the CP3 range.

Manufactured using Yamaha-exclusive Spinforging technology, the XSR900 GP's wheels are incredibly light. This allows for a more responsive suspension action, increasing agility and stability. The XSR900 GP feels more responsive when cornering and braking, with grip maximised by the latest Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres.

Total:£12,506.00