Yamaha XSR900 GP

The Yamaha XSR900 GP takes the heritage XSR900 platform a step further, wrapping a race-inspired half-fairing and clip-on bars around the naked bike’s underpinnings to recreate the look and feel of Yamaha’s classic 500cc Grand Prix racers. Where the standard XSR900 nods to the FZR era, the GP reaches back to full works-bike styling, and it is unmistakable on the road for it, the half-fairing, clip-ons and dropped footpegs setting it apart from every naked bike in Yamaha’s Sport Heritage range.

It shares the standard bike’s 890cc CP3 triple in full, liquid-cooled with DOHC and four valves per cylinder, its 78.0mm by 62.1mm bore and stroke and 11.5:1 compression ratio producing 87.5kW (119PS) at 10,000rpm and 93Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. A six-speed gearbox and wet multi-disc clutch send that power through a chain final drive, giving the same strong, characterful performance from town speeds right through to an aggressive top end that has made the CP3 engine such a favourite, with the same 14 litre tank and consumption of around 5.0 litres per 100km preserving useful range between fuel stops across a 1,500mm wheelbase, marginally longer than the naked XSR900’s.

The controlled-fill die-cast aluminium diamond frame, 41mm upside-down fork adjustable for rebound and preload, and linkage-type monoshock all carry over unchanged, running on 120/70 and 180/55 ZR17 tyres, so the genuine sporting ability underneath the fairing is identical to the naked XSR900. Twin 298mm front discs with four-piston calipers and a 245mm rear disc handle braking, and at 200kg with an 810mm seat height and 145mm of ground clearance, the clip-on riding position sharpens the sense of connection to the front end without becoming uncomfortable for road use.

Grand Prix-inspired race livery and bodywork sit over that same full package of modern rider electronics, so nothing has been sacrificed for the look. It suits riders who want the cafe-racer silhouette and committed clip-on riding stance, enjoying the physical, engaged feel of a proper sports riding position, backed by real performance underneath rather than styling for its own sake. GT Motorcycles, your Yamaha dealer in Plymouth, offers finance and test rides to riders throughout Devon, Cornwall and the South West.