Yamaha XSR900

Yamaha brought the XSR900 to market in 2016, releasing it in two variants worldwide.

The first, a variant utilizes a yellow and black paint scheme with gold inverted fork. This paint scheme is a 60th Anniversary Edition first utilized on other Yamaha models in 2015, such as the YZF-R1, to commemorate Yamaha's 60 years of racing heritage which began in 1955.[6][7] and strongly resembles the classic "speed block"[8] design popularized by Kenny Roberts in the 1970s.[9] The second variant utilizes a more muted aluminum tank over black frame and black inverted fork.[10] (See Photo)

The Yamaha XSR900 and MT-09 share the same 847cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline 3-cylinder engine with a 120° crankshaft. The engine has a power output of 115 hp (86 kW) @ 10,000 rpm and 65 lb⋅ft (88 N⋅m) @ 8,500 rpm.[1] Motorcyclist got a tested 1/4 mile time of 11.07 seconds at 122.33 mph (196.87 km/h).[2] The XSR incorporated several new features including: user-changeable throttle control mappings, a new ECU, ABS, multiple traction control modes and stiffened suspension.

Little changed from the 2016 model, the 2017 XSR900 featured updated tires (the s20 Bridgestone Battlax tires on the 2016 model being discontinued), and revised paint schemes that varied according to the market, as follows: in the USA - Titanium Blue;[11] in Canada - Blue & Black;[12] in the UK - Garage Metal, Rock Slate & Midnight Black.[13]

In November 2016, Yamaha announced the 2017 XSR900 Abarth,[14] a limited-edition "Sport Heritage café racer special". Yamaha collaborated with Abarth, an Italian brand from the car racing world. The Abarth's specification comprises a carbon-fibre nose cowl, and a rear seat cowling, handlebars that are low-slung 'clip-on style',[15][16] rear-sets, traction control, a slipper clutch, and an Akrapovic titanium exhaust.[17][18] Production of the XSR900 Abarth is to be only 695 units, and each bike is to have a numbered aluminium "authenticity plaque". Yamaha's novel marketing strategy to promote the Abarth prohibited Intending buyers from placing an advance order; instead, those who wished to be one of the first 95 to own an Abarth had to make an online bid at 13.00hrs on January 17, 2017. The remaining 600 bikes would be sold conventionally through dealers.[19][20]

2018 models and onwards support the OEM QuickShifter from Yamaha (OEM Part number BS2-E81A0-V0-00), earlier models would need a third party QS. The support for QS can be checked by turning on the ignition and there should be a QS indicator flashing by in the instrument cluster beside the gear indicator.

On its release, the 2016 XSR900 received journalistic praise and it gained several awards including Cycle World's; 2016 Best Middleweight Street Bike[21] and G-Mark's; 2016 Good Design Award.[22]

• Official Website