Yamaha XSR900 GP and new MT-09 By Ben Purvis
When Yamaha showed the XSR900 DB40 Prototype at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, it was pretty clear that a full-production model with a similar retro-race-rep look was on the cards. With the 2024 XSR900 GP that's exactly what it's launched.
Essentially identical to the DB40, the XSR900 GP is more than just a faired version of the existing XSR900, gaining revisions to the chassis as well to ensure its handling matches the race-inspired styling.
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| XSR900 GP |
That styling takes its inspiration from 1980s race bikes including the YZR500 and the era's TZ and TZR two-strokes, with a new nose fairing and tail as well as paintwork that harks back to a golden era in Yamaha's racing history. Other alterations include the addition of low, clip-on bars that move the rider's weight forwards over the front wheel, while the steering stem is now alloy instead of steel to change the rigidity and the wheels are the lightweight 'Spin-forged' alloys used on the MT-09. At the back, the subframe is revised and reinforced.
The suspension is made up of fully-adjustable KYB upside-down forks and a rear monoshock from the same brand, and the brakes gain a Brembo radial master cylinder to improve their feel. On board, a 5-inch TFT dash gives a modern touch, including the usual smartphone connectivity for media and navigation, and Yamaha has added self-cancelling indicators and an emergency brake warning system that flashes the rear hazard lights under heavy braking.
A six-axis IMU means there's cornering ABS and traction control, and the XSR900 GP also gets Yamaha's 'third generation' bidirectional quickshifter.
Power still comes from the 890 cc 'CP3' triple, with 87.5 kW (117 hp) at 10,000 rpm and 93 Nm (69 lb-ft) at 7,000 rpm, and while that power figure might be dwarfed by modern superbikes, it's not actually that far below the 80s race bikes that the XSR900 GP pays tribute to.
At exactly 200 kg, including a full 14-litre tank of fuel, it's a reasonably light machine too, and the combination of retro style, strong performance and high technology looks set to make it a hit in 2024.
If the retro, race-rep look isn't for you, Yamaha has also updated the MT-09 for 2024 with a more modern style and tech improvements. Both the standard MT-09 and the MT-09SP are renewed, with the same 87.5 kW, 890 cc triple as before but endowed with a new airbox that promises a better aural experience thanks to acoustic amplifier grills on top of the tank that give a direct route to take intake noise to the rider.
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| MT-09 |
The MT-09's electronics are improved with uprated riding modes for the IMU-operated traction control system, plus a new back slip regulator to stabilise the rear wheel under engine braking. Like the XSR900 GP, it also gets Yamaha's new third-generation quickshifter.
Chassis tweaks include a slightly steeper head angle and the same Brembo radial master cylinder that's been adopted by the XSR900 GP, while the triable between the bars, seat and pegs is sportier than before, and the bars and pegs are both adjustable. A new full-colour TFT dash is also added, with all the usual connectivity, as is the same brake warning system adopted by the XSR.
The MT-09SP gets the same tweaks but adds upgraded suspension, combining KYB forks with an Öhlins rear shock, plus Brembo Stylema calipers and extra track-oriented riding modes that can be accessed by the same uprated TFT dash used on its sister models.
