Wild new Yamaha XSR900 GP goes back to 80s

In a throwback to the 80s Grand Prix era, Yamaha has unveiled a radical new version of its XSR900 roadster, complete with a heritage livery and new front cowling.

According to Yamaha, the new XSR900 GP is directly inspired by the Japanese firm’s 1980s YZR Grand Prix bikes, as well as the FZR and TZR production bikes.

Sitting in Yamaha's Sport Heritage range, the GP joins the regular heritage-inspired XSR900, which was Highly Commended in the 2022 bikesales Bike of the Year awards.

Yamaha has designed the bodywork of the GP to reflect those 1980s machines. The round headlight of the standard XSR900 has been replaced by a compact lens module which is hidden in the cowling and still apparently provides “excellent illumination”. In keeping with the throwback theme, the cowling is connected to the frame via a tubed structure, while the dash is supported by straight brackets.

And in a further bid to replicate the 80s era bikes, the upper fairing is supported by a nut structure that is apparently identical to that used for the original TZ250. The structure is fastened with a beta pin, which Yamaha says is a first for a mass-produced production road model from the Japanese brand.

According to Yamaha, the new cowling structure is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also helps increase acceleration and top speed over the regular XSR900.

As well as the cowling and the dedicated livery, the GP adds a race-style clip-on handlebar, new switchgear, a new main seat, new side covers, new footpegs, and new ergonomics.

Yamaha says it has also retuned the chassis to accommodate the new ride position and added load from the cowling, while the bike also features a new 5-inch TFT dash, a new Yamaha Ride Control system, and the third generation of Yamaha’s quickshift system.  

Elsewhere, the GP model maintains many of the standard XSR900’s features. The bike is powered by an 890cc CP3 and rolls on a Deltabox-style chassis.

It also has fully adjustable KYB suspension with remote preload adjustment on the shock, high-end Brembo braking components, and a full suite of electronics and rider aids that are strengthened by the presence of a six-axis IMU.

Delivery dates and local pricing are yet to be determined, but the XSR900 GP will almost certainly have a significant premium over the standard model, which currently checks in at $18,049 ride away.