2016 Yamaha XSR900 - FIRST RIDE REVIEW

Yamaha had an instant hit on its hands with the FZ-09 sport-naked introduced in 2014. The level of performance offered by its then-new, 847cc, cross-plane concept, inline-three engine blew us away. That, along with the inspired looks and handling prowess of the FZ's controlled-fill die-cast-alloy chassis, easily exceeded all expectations from a bike selling for $8,000. While notably more expensive, the sport-touring oriented FJ-09 that followed, introduced premium features including traction control and ABS; now also found on the latest iteration of the versatile FZ platform.

Yamaha hopes the neo-retro styled, new-for-2016 XSR900 captures the imagination of a fast-growing segment it identifies as “riders that want authentic values (style/materials), balanced with modern technology and exciting performance.” Rounding out what Yamaha has termed its Sport Heritage line consisting of the venerable VMax, café-styled Bolt C-Spec, and retro SR400 single, the XSR900 makes perfect sense for riders looking for a daily commuter that is also very capable of spirited weekend romps.

A key design element pointed out at the XSR900 press launch staged in San Diego, California, is the use of “genuine authentic” materials such as metal and leather. To that end, the XSR has hand-buffed aluminum tank covers, lending a sense of quality over the FZ’s plastic fuel tank shrouds. The restyled rear fender is also made of aluminum, as are the Swiss cheese subframe side plates, matching headlight mounts, aluminum radiator side covers, and front-fender supports tying the look together. A retro-inspired round headlight and LED taillight stylistically compliment the new round TFT digital dash that conveniently provides all the features expected of a modern sport motorcycle, although you must take a hand off the bar to toggle its functions. Even the FZ’s origami muffler tip has gone full circle on the XSR.

Don’t be fooled by the less edgy outer appearance, however, as the XSR’s talents extend well beyond the boulevard or corner café. After spending a day aboard the XSR900 riding back roads, freeways, and city streets in and around San Diego, I found a much-improved sport machine hidden beneath its hipster guise.

For starters, the abrupt on-throttle-response characteristic noted by many FZ-09 riders has been fully resolved. Like its chip-controlled ride-by-wire siblings, the XSR offers a trio of D-Mode engine-response maps but delivers an improved sense of control when initially applying the throttle. After briefly sampling STD and the peak-power tempered B mode, I was content riding in the refined A mode, as it still offers wheelie-inducing snap without feeling overly sensitive. There are two levels of selectable traction-control sensitivity and the ability to toggle the system off while the bike is stationary. I found TC level 1 allows a fair degree of front-wheel-floating fun out of slower corners.

A firmer fork spring and revised valving offer much greater damping control at both ends, and have blessed the XSR with increased ride quality and chassis composure that’s particularly noticeable when the road gets interesting. The new addition of an assist/slipper clutch has lighter lever action and has effectively eliminated the engine-braking induced rear-wheel skitter I’ve experienced when charging into tight or bumpy corners aboard the FZ-09. This, along with the strong and consistent feel of the XSR’s ABS brakes, have made the bike notably easier to ride and more capable in every aspect relative to its more basic FZ sibling.

If you’re still not quite sold on the XSR900, let your seat of the pants be the judge. I found the deep padding and rounded contour of its retro-inspired one-piece seat authentically captures one of the best aspects of a forgone era. The XSR900 is a bike that remains entertaining and comfortably inviting after a long day in the saddle. At $9,490 ($9,990 in 60th Anniversary Yellow) you get a host of improvements that help justify the $1,300 premium over the FZ-09.