2016 Yamaha XSR900 – Born To Rule

Yamaha adds an all-new street bike to its 2016 motorcycle line-up up with its XSR900. Infused with modern sport attitude and contemporary styling teamed to a throwback seating position, the 2016 Yamaha XSR900 is an ode to simpler times yet doesn’t sacrifice the conveniences or performance that make riding a brand new sport machine so fun. It’s basically an FZ-09, with the same 850cc crossplane crank three-cylinder engine, suspension and brake package. What’s different is the retro-styled tank, round headlight and seat unit, in the same guise as the XSR700.



The XSR900 sources Yamaha’s fun and fast Inline Triple used in its FZ-09 naked bike and FJ-09 middleweight sport tourer. It also borrows its six-speed gearbox, however benefits from a slipper-assist oil-bathed clutch, which reduces clutch lever pull as well as providing added mechanical load under acceleration. Changes from FZ-09 spec are minimal. The seat, a retro design, has been moved back 50mm to create a more “authentic” ‘80s feel; it’s also a little taller, at 32.7 inches. The fat handlebar is a little wider than the FZ’s piece, and now the bike comes with standard ABS and traction control. The underpinnings are also shared between models and highlighted by a blacked-out twin spar aluminium frame and angular, boomerang-shaped dual-arm swingarm. The KYB suspension components, 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels, ABS-equipped triple disc brakes are also identical. However, the XSR rolls on Bridgestone’s Battlax S20 rubber.



The neatly styled fuel tank, seat and tail are where the XSR stands out from the rest of the family. Designers specifically retained classic lines popular of ‘70s era motorcycles, but with a round halogen-bulb headlight, LED taillight and all-digital instrumentation. As usual, fit and finish were paramount design goals and the 2016 XSR900 features hand buffed aluminum fuel tank covers that impart a premium feel.

Yamaha will sell the simple brushed-aluminium-tank version alongside a special 60th Anniversary special in the familiar bumblebee scheme. The regular XSR will be available in April, with the yellow demon following in May. No word on prices, but you can bet it’ll be more expensive than the FZ-09. After all, you have ABS and TC as standard.