The Difficult Birth of the Yamaha XSR900 GP: How Did This Retro Sportsbike Come to be?

Yamaha's retro racer for 2024 has been making headlines and generating rave reviews from owners the motorcycle press. But how did the #XSR900 GP come about, and in a age where sports bike sales are dwindling, and manufacturers are pulling their flagship 1,000cc sportbikes from their ranges, is launching a machine that evokes the golden age of motorcycle racing as a bit of a risk.

To answer these questions, we caught up with James McCombe, one of the key people behind Yamaha's XSR900 GP.

#xsr900gp #yamaha #revsyourheart #retro #YZR500 #sportsbike #interview #rossi #vale #fastersons

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[ozzyg]

can that guy push for an R9 now please. ❤

[SSS-mpth]

Make a XSR10 GP for the U.S. and I'll pick one up .

[wheelsguy]

Would have loved a >1hr podcast with this guy where he could go more into depth about the philosophy behind the bike, the development (struggles/choises), his own background and future plans/projects.

[xpantz]

My Street Triple Moto2 is very like it indeed... not stopping me from wanting one of these though. 🙂

[magellanicspaceclouds]

Amazing. Thank you for bringing this bike to life.

[stanmil]

Be it car or bike marlboro colours make everything look good

[SigmaJAD]

Rode this yesterday. Really enjoyed a quality bike and engine is sublime

[wheelsguy]

Still haven’t decided if I like it better with or without the lower plastics…🧐

[paulred]

Well done Yamaha for making something that appeals to those of us who love 80s bikes. The xsr motor is a peach. Frankly I’m super impressed that this got made, I have seen so many amazing concept bikes over the years that are so watered down by production time that all of the magic has gone. This bike looks just as good as the faster son’s special we saw a year or so ago. Brilliant. James should be very proud.

[dalemeadows]

Looks cool in the flesh. Shame about the exhaust and mirrors

[mechanicd]

Yamaha bikes are very popular due to their durability, speed and outlook

[MrKamechan]

Saved me a lot of money by not selling it in North America. Arigatou Yamaha~~~!

[elithegreat]

Looks better in Black....But there's just something with the small headlight that's not right ??👀

[au]

Impatiently waiting to spend all of my savings on the this or the R9 when it is released in Canada.

[simondemetriou]

Thats why I love Yamaha, I think they’ve got more spirit and character than the other Japanese manufacturers………..for me it reminds me of my 1989 TZR250, my 1994 FZR600R and the grand prix bikes of the late 80’s ……..so obviously very emotional 😆

[kaw]

It will be great if Honda build a retro looking NSR 😌

[timothymills]

Will Yamaha have to give some money back to Marlboro? 😉

[Errol.C-nz]

Oh FFS you took a stock std bike a fitted a tank & fairing.. as nice as it looks.. which is waaaay better that the likes on mt10's etc transformers look.. it's hardly a eureka concept bike

[hfiemfn]

I love “spanking it around” as well. I’ve said too much. Good vid. 👍🤪🏳️‍🌈