2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Yamaha XSR900

Bikesales enjoyed a double dose of retro on the 2017 Bike of the Year mega-test.

Not only did we enjoy the delights of Yamaha’s neo-retro machine, the XSR900, but the said machine also came emblazoned with a special livery that paid homage to the company’s legendary range of RD two-stroke motorcycles. Hence, the faux RD900 moniker to compete the look and feel.

The XSR immediately appealed to us at the national launch in 2016, not just for its retro roots but also the fact that it was based on the quality MT-09 nakedbike.

It also had an excellent build quality, and the chattels such as the round LED taillight, smart-looking clock and seat add to the appeal.

That’s why it won our retro category in 2016, and nothing has come along this year that’s been good enough to knock it off its perch. To get the retro gong two years in a row says something about how good this bike is.

The heart of the XSR900 is the 847cc triple, which we’ll undoubtedly be seeing a lot more of over the next few years such is its versatility – even in multi wheel-leaning mode!

Like the MT-09, the XSR has three riding modes: A, standard, and B, which all deliver a discernibly different experience at the bars. There’s traction control, which can be turned off when the bike is stationary, as well as non-switchable ABS.

Plenty of snap
When the $12,999 XSR is in the sharpest A mode it throws open those butterflies like a hyperactive kid after a jug of red cordial. On some of the mountain passes that equated to large doses of exhilaration, with the accessory Akrapovic pipe a beautifully fruity extra.

However, the frenetic on-off, punchy action through the twisties did mask a tendency for the XSR to ‘hunt’ on a steady throttle in A mode. It wasn’t annoying as such, but more of a footnote on an otherwise vibrant, vibration-less package.

If the more hair-trigger A mode isn’t your cup of tea, flick the mode to standard and the throttle response is a lot smoother, which in all reality is probably a better match for the chassis’ ability. Even in standard mode though, the punch off the bottom is still hefty, so there are still plenty of fun tickets to be had as it screams, 'ride me'.

Certainly, it had most of the BOTY riders feeling like they were riding a bike with a larger capacity than 847cc, which is mostly true of sporty middleweights with their impressive power- and torque-to-weight ratios. The XSR has claimed wet weight of 195kg.

The suspension is quite basic and only adjustable for preload and rebound. However, it does hold its end of the bargain up nicely as part of a rip-snorting package.

The suspension’s shortcomings are only really obvious with really aggressive cornering, which does place a lot of stress on those Bridgestone Battlax hoops. However, it’s still a tractable machine of the highest order, and just keeps on keeping on.

This author was XSR-mounted on the twistiest part of the excellent Alpine Way between Thredbo and Khancoban, and when I first climbed aboard I found it a little slow-steering.

However, a little body language goes a long way, and after settling in to a nice rhythm I couldn’t see too many bikes keeping it at bay – even the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR we had on the test. For a bike at such a price point and with an engine that isn’t designed to take on the absolute rev-happy powerhouses of this world, that’s a mighty effort.

The digital fuel gauge was dropping layers at quite the rate on the Alpine Way, but over the four days average fuel consumption was 6.4lt/100km. It has a 14-litre tank.

Summing up
The Yamaha has an 830mm-high seat height, which is getting up into adventure territory. That may limit accessibility for some, but the fact remains the Yamaha gets bulk runs on the road with plenty of feedback and natural balance. It’s a value-packed machine of the highest order.

RELATED LINKS
• 2017 Bike of the Year: Intro
• Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR
• BMW R 1200 GS Rallye X
• BMW S 1000 XR
• Ducati SuperSport S
• Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special
• KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
• Triumph Bonneville Bobber
• The Motley Crew
• Ford Transit 350L
• The Verdict

SPECS: YAMAHA XSR900
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC triple
Capacity: 847cc
Bore x stroke: 78.0mm x 59.1mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel diamond
Front suspension: Telescopic forks with adjustable preload and rebound, 137mm travel
Rear suspension: Monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound, 130mm travel
Front brakes: 298mm discs with twin-piston calipers, ABS
Rear brake: 245mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS
Tyres: Front 120/70-17, rear 180/55-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 25 degrees
Trail: 104mm
Claimed kerb weight: 195kg
Seat height: 830mm
Ground clearance: 130mm
Wheelbase: 14540mm
Fuel capacity: 14 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $12,999 plus on-road costs
Test bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres