Screw nostalgia – this is just a great bike: 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP review

The Yamaha XSR900 GP is designed to tug on the heart strings and other body parts of people of a certain age. I'm not one of those, so what's it like as a road bike? Join me for a nostalgia-free review of Yamaha's most interesting bikes of 2024, including a look at the price, specs and what options you need to turn it into the bike it should be. Oh, and we go for a ride and giggble a bit.

------

[bytemegga]

I have never wanted a motorcycle more than this!

[steveb]

This man Rodie does not lie. I just got one of these and it is sensational. It’s definitely for taller riders, I’m 6’5” and my long arms mean no achey wrists

[IanTed]

Not suited to my 64 year old back but I am old enough to watch Rainey in his hey day and it sounds great.

[snoopy]

Well done on another great vid Tim!

I walked in to a dealer a few days ago with the intention of test riding an R1 to purchase, and after 20 minutes of riding it realised it wasn't the same as my once owned 2000 R1 and how stupid silly this new version would be for me and my 200km round trip commute every day, or any hope of attaining my '70's. Talk about feeling like a noob! With a tear in my eye and while looking over my shoulder at this gorgeous R1, I was steered towards the salesman's recommendations. An MT-10 (no demo available to ride), an MT-09 and a "Power Grey" XSR 900 GP. Firstly, I have to disagree with you....I was around during the heady days of wild 2 strokes during the '80's and early '90's, and simply put, I find the Legend colour scheme to be triggering memories of my friends with their RD250's, RD350's, and super scary RD500's - not a time or place I ever want to return to. For me, the Power Grey is stealthy and cool, especially with the ex-demo offered to me ($3K AUD cheaper than retail!) having a belly pan installed, smoked windscreen and tail-tidy!.

I rode both 900's. Straight off the bat, I hated the MT-09 for its raked up seat-rear shoving me forward over the tank where my hands on the handlebars felt like they were almost in line with my shoulders making me feel cramped, or the airflow thumping me around at anything over 100km/h - just not me I'm afraid. However, swing a leg over the XSR, I was immediately struck by it's seat height and reach to the handle bars. This combination made the bike feel larger than it was but it was super comfortable to me - not too racy, not too touring. It performed just as you described - the boy racer in me emerged and I couldn't help but go nuts on the long and wide highways! It never felt like I was ever not in control or that it was so powerful that eyeballs would be looking out of the back of my head. I could see how this could be my daily commute, as well as a bit of a tourer, and even a fun diversion.

One thing you didn't mention which contributes to the increased weight over the MT-09, but equally to the positive feeling of tractability, power delivery to the road, and slight reluctance to wheelie, is the longer swing arm.

Ultimately, I'm not to sure about what amounts to be an excellent deal offered to me, as I believe I am changing my thinking towards a more touring option. What turns me off the XSR is, even though aimed at a different market sector, I'd really like the semi-active suspension. That aside, the mirrors are TRULY WOEFUL for any practical use without turning your entire head or for filtering without the danger of gouging someone's paintwork. I also don't like the auto-cancelling indicators that don't work well unless the IMU/ECU detect a 90deg turn (roundabouts confuse the crap out of it) and therefore rely on travelling 200 metres before auto cancelling. Worst of all is the ridiculous 14 litre fuel tank capacity and the commensurately short range.

Therefore, after selling me with your personal purchase, I am strongly considering an MT-10SP with all the goodies and aftermarket (big) windscreen installed. However, a late contender I've stumbled across (being a Yamaha fan for years) is a full-house Kawasaki Ninja 1000/1100 SX whose full list of options is super impressive as is the 19 litre tank capacity/range, or the comparatively higher power output of 140Hp/104Kw to the XSR's 117Hp/87Kw - all within the same price ballpark in Australia.

Now I've really confused myself!

Thanks again!

[Gramercy_Stiffs]

I test rode the XSR900 standard three times and was very close to pulling the trigger. But my thoughts were, great bike, does everything pretty well, looks a bit kooky but I kinda like that. But I couldn't commit to it, it just didn't give me much emotional pay off. After waiting to see what the GP version would be like... 100 meters down the road my face hurt I was smiling so much. It just felt special.

[PolskaFairplay]

Thanks Tim for this great review!! I paid a deposit for one in Warsaw, Poland 2 weeks ago after a test ride which I was offered by the dealer when I returned from test riding a KTM SAS. I gave this XSR GP 10/10 because it is the best sporty motorcycle I have ever ridden as a tall rider (6'4) for both comfort and excitement. I was blown away. And, even better, it arrived by surprise at the dealership yesterday!! FYI - I also bought an MT10 SP two years ago which I'm using for longer trips:)

[MrMikey]

I got onto a GS about a year ago, but am seriously considering swapping it out for one of these bikes. The GS is great, but as much as I try not to be, I am a hoon and need a hoonish type bike.

[andFortyEight]

It’s worth checking out the Yamaha headlight fairing and seat cowl for the regular XSR900; both are available in Yamaha accessories, they give a similarly 80’s look which is styled around the XSR’s round headlight and cost £956 for both.

[Druezy]

Really love modern retro designs! They are having a laugh with that options package though!

[benjolley]

The racer pack includes the tinted screen and a tail tidy, as well as the exhaust and lower fairing. All parts are available serperately too, however. Personally I'm not going to get the exhaust, it doesn't sound any different to the stock exhaust, and the replacement from Akroprovic themselves (silver rather than black) is cheaper, and has a removable cat and baffles in it too. 😉

Definitely getting the lower fairing though! I'm 46, I've got fond memories of watching GP500 bikes "back in the day" with my dad in the 80's and 90's, having a 900 will also mean I can keep up with him on his GSX-S1000GT+ 😂 I love my Triumph Speed 400, but she has no chance against him, haha. Good for a back lane blast though! Thankfully I have room for both bikes! 😂

[barryrose]

My check book is quivering, I think I’ll wait for the sp in yellow speed block colours. Great vid Mr R 🍻

[feloniousmonk]

Was hoping you'd cover this one. Mine's being delivered tomorrow :) Great review as always. Cheers!

[Sierra-bwgm]

What are you talking about, the black and grey is gorgeous 😍

[fyorbane]

Great looking bike but the other colour option should have been the Sarron Gauloises blue. Lovely colour that with the gold wheels. Much nicer than boring grey/black.

[sanxi]

I had to re-watch the first 45 seconds like 5 times before I could move on from that particular shade of blue hahahha

[GadgetyMV]

Love it. I prefer the black and grey, though.

[GC-xyec]

Looks like the Yamaha tzr250 of the late eighties Nice review Tim. ❤

[photomorti]

Its so pretty. People really think you are driving some very old bike

[glenncaukill]

The racer pack also comes with a tail tidy, I like the bike so much I bought one without a test ride . Nice bike, bit wristy at slow speed like all sporty bikes, brakes and handling are excellent, 55mpg . Leg room is good I'm 6 foot 1,

[johndavy]

I used to own a MT09 Tracer & that engine is a peach- one of the best in the world of motorcycles. I’m old enough to remember and be a fan of 80’s /90’s racing & I absolutely love this bike, it’s just a shame Yamaha fitted a TFT screen as a Big round rev counter dominating your view & rectangular digital speedo would have been perfect. Just marvellous.