Yamaha XSR 900 test: the MT-09 puts 3-legs in the retro

After the XSR700 imagined in collaboration with Japanese designer Shinya Kimura on the basis of MT-07, Yamaha is expanding its Faster Sons range with a more muscular bike: the XSR900, designed from the MT-09 roadster and its turbulent 3-cylinder… Test !

A very expressive roadster

Engine running, the XSR900 remains relatively discreet but quickly raises the tone as soon as you tickle its throttle grip! Vivacious, the three-cylinder in-line barks sharply with each gas stroke … It promises !

From the first turns of the wheels, the impression of lightness of the front axle surprises. The 17-inch front wheel goes all the more easily from one angle to another as the wide handlebars offer a strong leverage. The turning radius remains a little short, however, even if the full weight maintained under 200 kg (195 kg against 191 for the MT-09) facilitates maneuvers at low speed..

The three-cylinder discovered on the has lost none of its smoothness (logic: it’s the same!), Accepting to cruiser under-revving at 2000 rpm on the sixth report without knocking. Despite the alterations made by Yamaha on the injection, the electronic ride-by-wire accelerator is not transparent and still generates small transmission jerks during acceleration.

This phenomenon is especially noticeable in "A" driving mode, the sportiest with instant response, but it is also felt in "Standard" mode. In "B" mode, designed for driving in difficult conditions, it is a little less obvious, but the engine really loses some pep. The mapping is done while driving, on condition that you cut off the throttle before pressing the button provided for this purpose..

In most cases, "Std" mode offers the best compromise between responsiveness and flexibility. The gears engage with firmness but in a precise manner, with a gearbox staging adapted to evolutions at low speed.

A slight twist of the handle is enough to make the XSR900 leap and quickly pick up speed. Very quickly, we get caught up in the game and we start playing with the accelerator to make the most of the generous torque of the Yamaha three-cylinder (87.5 Nm).

By frankly accelerating when passing a very smooth speed bump, the TCS anti-skating instantly comes into action, cutting off ignition and injection quite brutally. Permissive on level 1, however, it allows the most playful pilots to initiate a wheeling without intervening, limiting only possible slippage of the rear wheel (which is impossible on level 2, which is much more restrictive).

Braking, for its part, appears powerful and incisive … even a little too incisive! As on the MT-09, the attack with the right lever lacks progressiveness on the first third. Here again, the similarity with the MT-09 could not be more logical since the device with 4-piston radial calipers is identical! Note also that the braking is assisted by a well calibrated ABS and not too intrusive in the dry.

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