Thursday 4th February 2016

Yamaha XSR900: PH2

More retro hooliganism from Yamaha

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Can you have too much of a good thing? In the case of Yamaha's MT range it certainly seems not, as both the parallel twin and inline triple are currently selling like hot cakes all over the world. So it won't be a surprise to learn that the firm is busily capitalising on its success by using the MT's basic platform to create a raft of variations, the latest of which is the XSR900.

Yamaha makes them, people keep buying them!

Far more than just a stylised MT-09
Much like the XSR700 that PH2 reviewed recently, on paper the XSR900 appears simply an MT-09 with a few cosmetic alterations to make it appeal to the retro market. But this isn't the case; under the XSR's skin are actually some very significant updates. While cosmetically there are the standard XSR round head lights, aluminium details, round dash and black paint on previously shiny parts such as the exhaust and levers, it's what's inside that makes the biggest difference to the XSR. As part of a general MT triple range update for 2016 (the tweaked MT-09 is yet to be launched), the XSR's engine now gains a slipper clutch with a 20 per cent lighter lever action, the fuelling maps are refined, traction control is standard alongside ABS and, more significantly, the suspension's damping rates have been stiffened slightly. In short, the XSR rectifies the main criticisms aimed at the original MT-09 and then wraps the improved package in a great looking body.

Is it really that different?
The riding experience of the original MT-09 was dominated by one simple factor - the triple engine. But it wasn't perfect and the snatchy throttle response soon required a 'software update' from Yamaha to make it less abrupt. Having had a few more years to perfect the MT's fueling, the XSR now benefits from the latest maps. As before, you get the option of A, B and STD (surely they could have found a better acronym?) modes, but this time it is only in A mode that the fuelling is deliberately harsh and a bit too abrupt to be enjoyable. Riding in STD mode at no point did I think the fuelling wasn't perfect. But in fact the most significant advance the XSR has over the MT-09 comes from the chassis.

You can do this with the TC on...

Yamaha designed the MT-09 as a weird mix of supermoto and naked bike and as such gave it oddly long travel forks and soft suspension. While at a gentle pace this worked well, up the ante by braking or accelerating hard and it would rock back and forth on its suspension, ruining its composure. Despite having the same length forks, the XSR900 has vastly improved damping as well as a revised seating position (you sit taller and further back on the new seat and subframe) that make it handle far more like a traditional naked bike. There is no pitching in bends and you can brake hard into corners without the front pinging back and upsetting the bike's balance. Is it as good as a Street Triple? It's certainly not far off and that's impressive considering the Triumph is basically a stripped down sports bike.

Also new for 2016 on the XSR and MT-09 is the addition of traction control, something the Tracer debuted. While some may groan at a naked bike having TC, the XSR's system is extremely good. It has two levels of sensitivity and can be deactivated when the bike is stationary, which is all very well and good, but what impressed me was the fact you can still mess around with the TC turned on. In the least sensitive '1' mode, the XSR can still be wheelied off the clutch should you wish. Which I did, a lot!

Looks like being another sought after Yamaha

A better bet
When I first saw both the XSR models they didn't appear to be much more than a few bolt-on bits, but I was wrong. The XSR700 is probably a better bike than the MT-07 and, in the same way, I prefer the XSR900 to the MT-09. Not only does the XSR ride better than the current pre-2016 update MT, in the yellow 'Kenny rep' 60th Anniversary paint it also looks awesome. The only fly in the ointment is the fact this colour is limited in its production run; if sales of the XSR700 are anything to go by, potential owners had better get their skates on...

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YAMAHA XSR900
Engine: 847cc inline triple, 12v
Power (hp): 113@10,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 65@8,500rpm
Top speed: 140mph (est)
Weight: 195kg (wet)
MPG: 44 (est)
Price: £7,849 (£7,999 in Anniversary yellow)

Quick vid here.

[gareth_r]

I thought my new bike would be either a Ducati Scrambler or the XSR700, but the XSR900 is only 9kg/20lbs heavier than the 700.

Oh, well... back to the dealer to try the 900 for size, I suppose.

Edited by gareth_r on Thursday 4th February 16:33

[gareth_r]

If http://cycle-ergo.com/ is to be believed, the riding position gives a decent amount of leg room (same for the 700 and the Ducati Scrambler). Also, it will be easy to swap handlebars on all three.

Looks like the short list to replace my Speed Four is Ducati Scrambler, XSR700, XSR900.