Yamaha XSR900 Review - Street, Racetrack and at Night

Yamaha Motor tastefully pairs retro styling with modern sport performance with its 2022 XSR900 naked bike.

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Yamaha pairs retro styling vibes with sport riding ethos with its new and improved 2022 XSR900. Defined as a retro-styled sport naked bike, the ’22 XSR builds on the original platform that debuted for the 2016 model year.

The XSR was originally based on the original FZ-09. The theory behind this platform is having a motorcycle that is sporty, yet includes cool retro styling that recognizes Yamaha’s history of manufacturing some of the most exquisite motorcycles on the road.

Like before, the XSR continues to be based off the overhauled for ’21 MT-09. We have reported on this streetbike extensively during the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 MC Commute Review and Yamaha Builds a Better Triumph - 2021 MT-09 Review articles and videos. This XSR benefits from the same longer-stroke 890cc CP3 triple-cylinder engine. It also benefits from the improved chassis, new suspension, and other creature comforts.

We love this crisp-sounding triple. It offers gobs of torque. It has a really sweet engine and exhaust note, and it puts out a good amount of power to the tune of nearly 106 hp and upwards of 63 lb.-ft. torque at the contact patch of the OE-fitted 180-series Bridgestone Battlax S22 shoe.

This CP3 powerplant benefits from updated electronics. It includes four adjustable combined engine and throttle maps. PWR 1 is the most aggressive, 4 is the least. We like the intimate response of the first setting. It’s paired with IMU-powered traction and wheelie control (Yamaha calls it “lift control”). It’s very easy to tweak the settings inside the menu. Yamaha also includes two-way-adjustable Brake Control. The BC 1 setting is the less aggressive ABS interaction setting. But it doesn’t offer a lean-sensitive cornering function. Conversely, in BC 2 (more aggressive ABS programming) cornering ABS is included (Yamaha Motor won’t call it this, but this mode is lean-angle sensitive).

At our pace on the street, we didn’t have ABS kick on. We did however feel it intervene a couple of times during track duty. But to be fair, that could have been us not squeezing the brake lever in a smooth manner. Still, the ABS program on this motorcycle is calibrated very well for its intended use, which is a mix of street riding and track riding.

Speaking of track riding, we rode this bike at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in Southern California and Sonoma Raceway in northern California. And this motorcycle is an absolute hoot to ride at the circuit. We like the more aggressive ergonomics, courtesy of the lower clubman handlebar and lower seat. It makes for a more far forward canted riding position. The adjustable footpegs are another nice touch. We preferred the footpegs in the lower setting, but if you wanted a little bit more ground clearance or are a shorter person, you can move those footpegs up a little bit.

Despite its stretched wheelbase with a nearly 2-inch-longer swingarm, it really cuts directions well. On track, it feels similar to a Hayabusa where it offers gobs of stability. You lean it over and you can punch the throttle and it isn’t doing anything crazy. It tracks splendidly.

The only downside is the front wheel feels kicked out so feel is not the best when you’re on the edge of the Bridgestones. We love the suspension on this motorcycle, especially for street riding. With over 5 inches of suspension travel, this bike sucks the bumps up well on the street. We’re not sold on the upside-down type rear suspension linkage that these MT-09 and XSR900s now employ, but they function well for street duty. On the racetrack it loses a little bit of its handling performance at speed, but then again, these bikes aren’t trackbikes, they’re streetbikes. And they flirt that line very well.

In typical Motorcyclist testing protocol we operated this motorcycle at night, and the LED headlamp does a very nice job of illuminating the road. I like that this vehicle comes with LED turn signals and an LED taillight.

Motorcycle Gear Worn

Helmet: Arai Quantum-X
Jacket: REV'IT! Blackwater
Gloves: REV'IT! Kinetic
Pant: REV'IT! Piston
Boots: TCX Rush 2 Air

Photography: Joesph Agustin and Adam Waheed
Videography Ray Gauger Media, Inc. and Adam Waheed
Edit: Ray Gauger Media, Inc.

[nightfury]

I absolutely LOVE the way Adam presents anything motorcycle related; this beautiful machine (which i may end up getting lol). Plus he rides like a demon. Dude needs to put out more videos for sure!!! Be well, and be safe out there Adam 😎😉

[tdeloriea]

I'm a long time rider with lots of riding experience (club racing, woods racing...) I mention this If you are an experienced rider and want to know if this bike will keep you entertained like a Tuono or Ducati Streetfighter, then wonder no more. This bike is a bargain at $10k. It punches well above the price point and entertains me like my old 2015 Tuono v4 for a fraction of the price (and with a lot less worry about maintenance or service) . The XSR motor has a rawness to it that delivers a character not typically found on the big 4 Japanese motorcycles these days. Yes the MT10 gets a double helping of character but this 900 motor is smooth yet characterful. My 60 year old worn out body loves riding this thing. Yes it's not a touring bike, nor an ADV bike or any other narrow genre. It's today's UJM (Can I still say that?) This bike flat out rocks for those rides where you want a full motorcycle experience in a short time. Use it to get a coffee and slice of pie an hour or so away. Hard seat? YUP! Small tank? Yup! Feel like a budget bike like some other "retro wannabees"? NOT ONE BIT! Not mentioned is how tiny the bike feels when you are riding it. Narrow between the knees in the sculpted tank cutouts. The bike looks bigger than it rides. Also tip in is very light without feeling nervous. This is one of those bikes you simply wear off the chicken strips on the first ride. Confidence it delivers at street speeds. Suspension is firm. Not the typical pogo of and undersprung underdamped suspension. This isn't race track stiff. It is compliant for street riding. The brakes on mine sucked for the first few miles. They had something on the rotors or just needed to be bedded in. Once I put a few hundred miles on the bike they felt a lot better. If you get one make sure you are aware of this before you need them for an emergency. This bike is fast and will easily wheelie in 3rd gear. It delivers fierce 1/8 mile acceleration. I believe the higher horsepower bikes separate themselves once the speeds are higher up in the 100-140 mph zone. It's a sport naked in the Goldilocks zone. If you have the means, love the look, but can't get a test ride and wonder if all these gushing reviews are for real. They are 100% legit. It delivers the goods even to someone completely spoiled.

[MrFirstonraceday]

Just bought the new red/white livery one this weekend!! Still on sales floor with a SOLD sign hanging on it. Can’t wait get back in town to drive it home! I’m 60 yo and looking forward to rippin!!

[yojimbo]

The delivery of the Yamaha triple is amazing.

[vergedrums]

I’m getting 48.1 mpg with my 2024. And I absolutely love this bike!

[williamwintemberg]

Great review Adam! You have never sugar coated a weakness in any bike you have reviewed. That said, this bike covers a lot of bases. I love the paint scheme. Very nice!

[mariusmuranyi]

thats how a motorcycle review is done ...great job sir.

[williamcb]

Looking a lot like my next bike ! Really like the looks and that cp3 sound is just the business .🤙🏻

[robert]

Great review Adam! Circles on the thumbnails!

[devin]

i got mine last year (2022) right when they came out, only one in Wisconsin when I bought it!!!! I love it, I put a two brothers exhaust for a 2022 mt-09 on it and it absolutely

[tarnishedsquid]

Yooo I've been waiting for your thoughts on this machine!

[gavincostin]

I tested the Speed triple RS1200 yes it had more bhp but was it worth over £5k more, not in my book this new XSR for£10k is a dream, its the colour i loved, the metal tank unlike the new Monster my son has. Its also got loads of tech, cruise control, QS and slipper clutch. Such good value and handles lovely, CP3 engine is super smooth and sounds a peach and i am thrilled with it, gearbox is silky too, Its a high quality machine in my opinion much better than the New Monster we have which is a totally different feel, The XSR will make you happy you saved your money on other bikes way more expensive. She is a keeper long term, and sits along side my Harley Streetbob well, different bikes but both tick all the boxes very very well. If you are thinking of getting this XSR go for it, all the niggles people say about i.e the seat, i got a gel pad, steering locks a bit non existent but its no big deal, that settings wheel works fine for me and i think i'm going to see if its possible just to swap the mirrors to the other sides and underneath think it should work, i will find out Friday as its due the 600 mile service. Well guys happy Motorcycling.

[Nathan_]

Says the bike has the Bridgestone S22 tires but the tires say Dunlop in yellow on them? Were tires changed out to Dunlop or what?

[mathiashammar]

Beautiful bike. Finally Yamaha triggered me to buy one. Cruise control and corner ABS very useful tech i used on my kawasaki last 4 years. Corner ABS has saved me in slippery corners many times now. It really helps in those damp days or when road surface in the shadows are soggy.

[Nine_]

It was based on the. F Z 0 9. And also the M T 0 9.

The ABS kicks in very well for its Intended use.

[NCC-]

Can you review the 700 model? That looks interesting to me.

[joeblow]

Great review, Adam! 👍
beautiful scoot
I feel the same way about bar end mirrors.
and whomever came up with the 3.7 gallon tank should be banished to The View 😲

[zyoungson]

I really like that bike, just wish they would release a red & white colour like the previous model. And maybe do something with the seat.

[dukie]

What bike would you take, all 2023 models.. XSR900, MT09 or the SP, Street Triple or the RS, or the Duke 890R.?

[JblBassist]

He didn't even mention the cruise control or the up/down quick shifter, but they're also damn amazing. If you get a saddle pad for this thing it's not bad for longer rides, maybe 4 or 5 hours a day max with fill up breaks.