2022 Yamaha XSR900 - First Ride Review

The previous XSR900 was basically a MT-09 in drag, but this time around Yamaha has introduced some changes specifically designed to give the XSR a different personality. It gets all of the engine, suspension, and technology upgrades that were bestowed to the MT, but the XSR is now the corner carver of the family thanks to racier ergonomics and a longer swingarm. Combine that with the extra convenience of cruise control as well as a look that’s much easier on the eyes and you a very appealing package.
At $9,999, it’s $500 more expensive than a MT-09...and it’s definitely worth it. Hell, Abhi would get the XSR over the $11,099 MT-09 SP. Check out what he has to say during this First Ride Review!
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[@johnsimms3693]

That was better then any commercial, you get a rider that is passionate about that specific model, and they will be honest about it

[@degutube]

Great review, eloquently put. Cheers

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback, glad you enjoyed it!

[@matthewwhite7891]

First time I’ve seen your channel. Great job, love how you steer away from the spec overload on the video - I want the styling and impressions, I can read the stats anywhere. Have got a deposit on one here in Australia - hopefully picking it up next week. Can’t wait!

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Thanks for the kind words, and congrats on your new bike! Hope you enjoy it.

[@mikesivrican9171]

Great review. Agree on needing a seat cowl and belly pan.

[@austinkaufman9402]

amazing bike! I just wish it had the shorter swingarm.

[@user-hf8ie8mf3n]

I wonder what Steve thought of the riding position compared to the first gen? I love my xsr900, 2016, because the ergos are perfect. This one looks like a more sporty set up. 👍👍🇨🇦🤪

[@shamarpmitchell4656]

Great review, but good luck finding one at a dealer... very few have received one and those that have, only one unit... Did Yamaha give you any insights on when we might be seeing them when you were there?

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Sorry, thought I responded to you earlier. Yeah, looks like the first batch has been snapped up - Steve (shown in the video) wants one but can't find one right now. Looks like it'll be a couple of months until the next big batch shows up but I obviously can't guarantee anything.

[@mexifry222]

None in the Pacific Northwest area. Looks like it's a z900rs for me..

[@centralcal6604]

This is definitely going to be my next bike

[@gavincostin1729]

Had mine 10 days 400 miles love it, some say the dial is awkward , maybe but how often do you use it? Some say the exhaust is ugly, i don't mind it tbh, also steering lock is very tight but again its no biggy, 1 issue is seat comfort after an hour its a scaffold plank and really needs stripping out and adding extra gel pad or replacing it with something similar, i have the new Ducati Monster and did 200 plus miles in a day no issues, but this is a way nicer bike than the Ducati and smoother less heat to legs bla bla bla. For me its got a metal real tank that looks great, the whole bike is lovely, i tried the Triumph Speed Triple the week before and for 50% more money i could not justify it, ok brakes and gear change on Triumph is the best but this Yammie is not far behind, plus it had 180 bhp, lets be honest who really needs that Bhp on the roads, 117bhp is more than many can use or need. Yamaha sort the seat, everything else is fine and you can live with it, considering the tech and cruise control as standard (take note Ducati monster) One Life Live It

[@chrisw4215]

Hey thinking of buying this bike but the turning radius put me off slightly. I like to play with bikes on the parking lots making uturns etc do you think its a big drawback?

[@gavincostin1729]

@@chrisw4215 Counter balance buddy and you have no big issues, its not as bad as some sports bikes and the MT10. See if you can book a test ride on one, It goes really smoothly, gears too smooth as silk. You can live with the seat, steering and settings dial. i got a gel pad seat on eBay for £10 really helped, but its fine for an 60-90 minute rides then its a little hard. hopefully this helps you out. Its an amazing looking individual piece of kit.

[@chrisw4215]

@@gavincostin1729 I did a test ride xsr three times already :) And they have me slightly enough at the showroom, but I'm going to spend £10k, so I want to be at least 99% sure I'm doing right. I'm impressed with the build quality, torque, and seating position. The screen is perfectly fine while you ride. Nothing bigger is needed, in my opinion. My riding is 30min one way, so the seat is probably good enough. The turning radius was my only disappointment by comparing to my previous z1000sx. As you say, a more leaning angle is the answer. And let's be honest, it's only something you will notice in tight places and when playing in the parking lot. Also I had a feeling that the exhaust is slightly too loud, but probably I need to replace my earplugs

[@chrisw4215]

@@gavincostin1729 I just bought the bike and have two issues. First, the rear suspension is stiff even when set to soft (number 1). I didn't notice it with demo bikes. Another one. Maybe it's not an issue but a bit weird. When I start a bike for the first 3-4 minutes, I hear a noise from the right side. I think it's a clutch. I would describe it as an old car driving belt that needs to be replaced. It stops after 4 minutes and returns when I stop and start the bike again.

[@gavincostin1729]

@@chrisw4215 I have not yet played with the suspension, as i am ok with stock set up for now while getting used to the bike, i am not a fast or over excited rider style guy. As for the other issue with noise go straight back to the dealer and tell them. I did have a couple of issues with gears not going in, but that i think was rider error on the boots part meaning not used to it and missing the gear, done 900 miles and i still did it last week once. Other than the seat comfort and steering lock its an ace bike.

[@dsofe4879]

Love the blue, but it's gotta be the black one for me.

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Uh-oh. I can't let Steve know you said this.

[@TrevJ83]

Agree the blue is hideous with the gold wheels

[@andyb2311]

Great review I don’t understand the wheelie thing as a lot of countries don’t allow you to wheelie . Especially in Australia the police take away you bike and impound it for 30 days, pretty sure the UK is strict as well .

[@Musicposter4you]

😂😂😂😂😂 It's got 120hp. Nobody's following the law on one of these.

[@motozest7856]

The height difference is hilarious😆

[@aagustinjr17]

Nice review

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Thank you!

[@photographerjonathan]

I really like the looks of this bike. except for the exhaust system. but I don't like loud bikes so I wonder if you could paint that exhaust with black stove paint without the paint coming off of it. because it would look so much nicer if the exhaust was black.

[@henrifpv2868]

Well you can buy that akrapovic 🤷‍♂️

[@Tetsu-Ryu]

The 2022 XSR900 or the Kawasaki Z900RS SE? Not just Spec wise, but using it as a daily commuter. Thanks for the input!

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Unfortunately, I haven't ridden the Z-RS SE, just the regular RS. I’d say the Kawasaki is prettier, smoother, and more comfortable (though I did have some issues with a snatchy throttle). It’s the better modern take on a UJM. But the XSR900 is more fun - it makes similar power, the riding position is a little sportier, and it weighs 40 pounds less. On top of that, the XSR offers better technology in terms of the dash and the IMU. The SE suspension is obviously better but the XSR has so much less weight to carry around. Plus...there's a $3,450 price difference between the two, and that's a lot at this price point. If your daily commute isn't too long, I'd go with the XSR. The stock seat is a little hard/thin for my liking but you can use some of your $3,450 savings to get a better one!

[@Tetsu-Ryu]

@@IconicMotorbikes hey, thank you so much for the detailed response! It confirms my feelings towards the XSR. Keep up with the great content and thanks again!

[@IconicMotorbikes]

@@Tetsu-Ryu my pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@surferdude642]

You'll be stopping for gas more often with the Yamaha.

[@IconicMotorbikes]

@@surferdude642 Great point, thanks for the addition!

[@mmotorcycles9497]

The old one had more of a ducati monster look the new on just screams Yamaha.

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Is that better or worse? =)

[@mmotorcycles9497]

@@IconicMotorbikes all good for both.

[@TrevJ83]

The old one shown with maroon seat looks much better IMO than the blue But no cowl for me

[@MKC95]

In comparison with the CB1000R CAFE NEO SPORT, which one would you prefer?

[@IconicMotorbikes]

I've ridden the CB1000R but not the Black Edition. I never found a setting on the front fork that I liked. I think the XSR handles better and it's $3,000 cheaper. The CB makes more power but it's not like the XSR is slow. Tough to answer the question as we all have different preferences, but I think the XSR is more fun and no less practical.

[@rubo1964]

I'll take little less fun vs having low sided and broken bones

[@wolkanthon]

i have 2021 mt09 and i plan to buy it does this bike have head shake upper speed 210 on side winds, did u feel something as this? and after 2021 mt09 are u recommend this bike?

[@sampakpahan6749]

I want to get this as my first bike. Would you recommend new riders?

[@IconicMotorbikes]

I wouldn't have considered that at first, but it's easy to ride and this could actually be quite appropriate for a new rider thanks to the electronics - you can set the traction control/slide control on maximum intervention and you can put the engine in rain mode to soften up the power while you're getting started. The problem is making sure you have the discipline to keep it in the slow modes, because I sure wouldn't be able to! Prevailing theory would be that something like the MT-03 would be a better choice, but that doesn't have the same electronic safety aids.

[@ThatCleanMT]

No.

[@kloppskalli]

are you kidding? get a slower bike to learn riding first, a bike with 2 cyl 70 hp will get you in trouble fast enough.

[@surferdude642]

No, go for a Ninja400 or something in that range. After you pass an MSF course.

[@talltale9760]

Depends on your humility. Started on a mt-09 but you can get yourself into trouble really fast if you’re not careful

[@funguseater40]

I would pronounce it "Galwarr" (Gauloises) french cigarettes

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Thank you!

[@rupertsmedley4210]

Its Gor-loir...zzz !!! Cigarette sponsors baby!

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Haha, thank you!

[@wedie2soon]

Does this bike have a solid top-end hit, or does it make all of its power down low and in the mid-range?

[@IconicMotorbikes]

It's making power mid and high, the best stuff is really in the 5-8k rpm range but this bike is better when wound out vs. lugged. Triples from companies like Triumph feel like they're stronger down low, the Yamaha feels comparatively week between 1-4k. Long story short, it's more of a revver.

[@wedie2soon]

@@IconicMotorbikes Thanks for your quick response. Much appreciated. One final question: how does the power of this bike compare with the Kawasaki Z900 naked? I currently own a Z900 and was considering this bike. I basically want the power-band of my Z900, but with a top-end rush that scares me...in a good way.

[@motozest7856]

@@wedie2soon Get an M1000R.

[@jackkrinkov9273]

The suspension and wheels would look good on my RZ-350

[@IconicMotorbikes]

Yes it would! What color is your RZ?

[@jackkrinkov9273]

@@IconicMotorbikesyellow and black KR its in a thousand pieces. I want to get it back together but I have to finish my FZR 400/600 first

[@kloppskalli]

havent seen it in person but i dont see anything on the bike that looks good to me ... i want to like it because its a nice bang for the buck but i cant. it looks like a complete mess. just fucking ugly. from all angles.