1610 RF final

SPORTY
HERITAGE
Yamaha have just launced their new “Sport Heritage” range of bikes and
one of the members is the XSR900. Words: Rob Portman Pics: Zenon
When Yamaha announced
the 2016 XSR900, my
first thought was that
this is simply a styling
exercise - taking the
MT-09 and making it look a bit more
retro. The two models do share the same
chassis components, steering geometry
and wheelbase, and brilliant 847cc inline
triple. That was until I swung my leg over
the XSR900, that’s when I realised this is
a whole new ball game and there’s several
differences between the two models.
The design of the bike flows and
everything makes sense. I love the
shape and style of the tank, the brushed
aluminium looks fantastic. The small
aluminium brackets and accents very
much add to the style of the bike and if you
peruse the Yamaha accessories catalogue,
you’ll likely also end up with a rear seat
cowl, low slung café racer ‘bars and a pair
of nice, anodised black rearsets.
The ergonomics are also fantastic – my
bum fit nicely into the curved XSR900 seat,
helping lock me in around the tank.
The dash is mounted on the triple clamp
but slightly off the right hand side, and
provides a plethora of info – fuel gauge,
traction control level, power mode, as well
as also the usual info. I do have one small
complaint about the styling – I really wish
Yamaha would toss those mirrors in the bin.
They were ugly on the MTs and they’re still
ugly now. Great rear vision though.
The XSR900 comes with a full suite
of electronics – power modes, ABS and
traction control, all very easy to operate.
RIDEFAST MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016 2 7