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 !

Retro … but not too much !

It is in Fuerteventura, in the Canaries, that Yamaha invited us to test this new XSR900 in 60th anniversary livery (optional at 300 euros). As standard, the colors blue "Rock Slate" or gray "Garage Metal" will be available as soon as the bike arrives in, scheduled for February.

Attacking the winding roads of the island, Shun Miyazawa joined the group of "faster frenchies" riding a gray XSR900 accessorized with a bracelet handlebar, a specific saddle and a seat backrest which gives it a unique look, demonstrating the many possibilities of customization of the motorcycle. As many modifications by definition optional, it is worth remembering !

Compared to that of the MT-09, the driving position of the XSR900 changes significantly: the seat height increases by 15 mm (830 mm), while the use of a longer reservoir moves away from the handlebars while moving backwards. ‘seated. Compared to the roadster, the torso therefore tilts forward and the center of gravity rises slightly. The positioning of the handlebars and footrests, however, remains unchanged..

The shape of the saddle is also changing, with shorter driver and passenger seats but better padding. When riding the XSR900, you quickly feel at home with a wide flat handlebar that offers a good grip, well-positioned footrests and a reinforced but not too pronounced support on the wrists.

The cockpit is minimalist, with a nice round digital instrument panel that echoes the similarly shaped headlight and tail light. The readability of this element is unfortunately not exceptional under the sun, the eye struggling to read the smallest inscriptions such as the driving mode or the level of traction control..

A gasoline gauge with segments and a gear indicator engaged are also indicated, but it is necessary to remove a hand from the handlebars to change the display: a control on the handlebars would have been more practical … but less "retro"! As on the MT-09, a lock housed above the rear wheel (protected by a lock cover) allows the two-seater saddle to be removed in order to access the tool kit and a small storage space.

The controls of the XSR900 fall naturally to hand, despite a non-adjustable cable clutch lever. On the left, the control unit includes a button for modifying or deactivating the anti-slip. Two modes are available, 1 being the most permissive and 2 the most intrusive. There is also a badly positioned horn button, which we tend to activate without wanting to….

On the right, another button allows you to select one of the three injection maps, exactly as on the MT-09 roadster: A (more incisive), Std (standard) or B (softer).

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