EICMA 2015: Yamaha XSR900 modern retro
Yamaha’s MT-09 gets the retro treatmentIn a bid to cash in on the rising popularity of the retro motorcycle, Yamaha flicked its popular triple-cylinder MT-09 to Roland Sands and the result is the new XSR900 unveiled in Milan overnight.
Coinciding with the firm’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the yellow and black paint scheme of the anniversary edition harks back to the days of Kenny Roberts Senior's TZ750 flat tracker.
Simple in both its design and features list, the XSR900 is equipped with anti-lock braking, traction control and three riding modes.
It has a tank capacity of 14 litres, is suspended on 41mm upside-down front forks and an adjustable monoshock at the rear. It's 4kg heavier than the standard MT-09, presumably a result of the many aluminium touches Sands added to create the look. Or, as Yamaha officially puts it: "The XSR900 delivers on its authentic feel with minimal use of plastic resin parts, instead offering high quality components to reward the senses."
The XSR900 joins the brand’s XSR700, a retro-themed parallel-twin based on the MT-07 which was unveiled in July this year and expected for release in Australia in the first quarter of 2016.
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