2015 EICMA: 2016 Yamaha XSR900
Today, Yamaha unveiled the 2016 XSR900, the latest model based on the company’s popular FZ-09 platform. Catering towards riders who want an “authentic and honest” motorcycle, the XSR900 draws its styling inspiration from XS models of the past, with features like a hand-buffed aluminum fuel tank cover (for the Matte Gray color), single round headlight, instrument gauge, and brake light.
Powered by the same 847cc Triple found in the FZ and FJ-09 models, the XSR900 is wrapped in the same aluminum frame and swingarm as those models as well. While the XSR’s design and inspiration might be retro-inspired, the bike still sports some 21st century technology like three-stage traction control (minimum intervention, maximum intervention, and off), ABS, assist and slipper clutch. KYB provides a 41mm fork in front and a single shock in the rear, both adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping.
The rider also sits slightly more rearward on the XSR900 than on the FZ-09, a position Yamaha says is also retro-inspired. The saddle itself is 15mm taller than the FZ-09, and features burgundy stitching.
The XSR900 will be available in Matte Gray/Aluminum and 60th Anniversary Yellow. For the 60th Anniversary Yellow color, the aluminum fuel tank covers are painted in yellow-and-black Yamaha racing livery.
Pricing will be announced in February 2016, and models will be in dealerships beginning in April.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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“Authentic and honest.” Well maybe the tank. What b.s. hype. That huge steering head frame looks terrible. As a whole,ugly,ugly,ugly. Agree with the comments,the FZ-09's cheap price comes with suspension that is bottom feeder junk. Great engine but did they improve the mapping? Yamaha,you can do better.
Did you know this bike has a brake light? Journalism is a dying art.