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We have ridden Yamaha XSR 900 GP

  • Borgvald in fine drive on the XSR out in Follo

Retroracer: - It was really tough! - Exactly something like this I could imagine, says Rolf Lund Larsen (73). Hallgeir and I are standing in the center of the summer heat when Rolf parks his Yamaha FZS 600 next to the bike we are out test riding; Yamaha XSR 900 GP.

Rolf walks around the bike, looks at the details, nods and says: - This one was really tough! A bit of racing, a bit of cafe racer, a bit of... yes, that's something I could imagine, he says. Yamaha presents this bike in the "Sport heritage" category, and it fits quite well.

  • XThe SR 900 GP is a celebration of Yamaha's rich racing traditions

In terms of style, it is a celebration of Yamaha's racing heritage, with the YZR 500 as a model, among others. In terms of riding, however, this is not an extreme bike, and under the retro-inspired shell there is technology in buckets and buckets that contributes to the bike being very nice to ride. The machine is the proven triple CP3, which is already found in a number of models, including the MT09, Tracer 900/9, the roadster XSR 900, and not least the sports machine R9.

  • Hallgeir in good shape on winding favorite roads

From the start, the engine was 850 cc, but a few years ago it was bored up to 890 cc, and the peak power increased from 115 hp to 119 hp. So it's not about extreme performance, but there is more than enough thrust in the machine. And at least as important in such a bike: the bottom drag is good, and with good handling characteristics, a smile comes out when I whizz around the roads south of Oslo with Hallgeir as my guide.

  • Clip-on handlebars and cafe racer-style mirrors emphasize the sporty design

The Yamaha seems light and stable, and overall harmonious. Naturally, the seating position is sporty, and the knee angle is therefore sharp. At 192 cm, I would probably get tired after a while, but so what? This is not a bike you buy if the goal is to ride as far as possible per day, with as few breaks as possible. But back to Son, where Rolf Lund Larsen was strongly attracted to the racing lines from the 80s and 90s.

  • Retro enough to last. Note the fold-out footrest

The cowl, seat and tail are dominant style elements. The cover over the rear seat can be removed, and the footrests, which are not usually visible, can be folded forward from under the seat. A clever detail that emphasizes the style. The clip-on handlebar is attached above the handlebar crown, which contributes to a slightly more road-friendly seating position. Mirrors on the handlebars emphasize the cafe racer style.

  • The taste is like butt, but I don't think the pot is nice, and I'm not thrilled with the sound either.

We stand and study the bike, and I say: - There's one thing I don't think is nice about it, and can you guess what it is? Rolf thinks for a few seconds, and says: - the muffler. - Yep, I answer. It's not nice, but that's how many motorcycles are these days. It's a big lump with, among other things, the catalytic converter inside. Noise and emissions regulations probably make it more difficult to get nice mufflers, and then there's also a question of money. If you flip through a few extra pages, there's a lot of goodies to be had for those who like mufflers and growling sounds. The sound from the original system is nothing to write home about, but the system is at least stainless, and for me it's the sound of eternity, because stainless, as you know, doesn't rust.

  • Perfect roads for Yamaha XSR 900 GP

So who is it for? People who love the lines, the engine and the driving experience. People who love easy rides in good weather, and don't need to carry much. Who is it not for? People who will be carrying a lot of gear, and driving very far. People who don't like or can't stand a sporty seating position.

  • Stylish details like this make a great impression

  • Technical data Yamaha XSR 900 GP, 2024 model:
  • Engine: 4-stroke liquid-cooled, DOHC, 3-cylinder, 4-valves per cylinder.
  • Displacement: 890 ccm, bore x stroke: 78 x 62.1 mm.
  • Power: 119 hp at 10,000 rpm.
  • Torque: 93 Nm at 7000 rpm.
  • Seat height: 835 mm
  • Weight fully fueled: 200 kg
  • Tank volume: 14 liters
  • Price: 209,900.
  • Also available in A2 version
  • A good feeling after the ride

Text: Borgvald Moen. Photo: Borgvald Moen and Hallgeir Muren

Thanks to Gjermund and Birgitte at Yamaha Motor EU branch Norway, for lending us a demo bike.