Wow! 2023 Yamaha XSR 900 First Ride Review - First Dates

[@DeluxeRyan]

Had a go on my friends one of these (only around the block) after only riding 250cc since i first started 1 year ago. Feared for my life lol

[@RikkyTang]

Yeah that engine is strong enough to surprise an experienced old hand like me too so it must have felt like a rocket lol

[@JohnSer33]

The best sounding stock bike I've ever ridden

[@stephenprizeman6669]

Brilliant review

[@RikkyTang]

Most kind, thank you!

[@jfro5867]

That bike sounds epic.

[@RikkyTang]

It does doesn't it! I've found out that the 2025 model now gets the full LCD dash that the 900GP and Tracer has... very tempting 😁

[@ianchamberlain1631]

Sounds nice! Not as nice as the Akra on your R1250R though. I put a deposit on my ice grey R1250R se yesterday but will add the Akra to it later as I was told the OE exhaust isn't supplied with the bike if I spec the Akra from the factory.

[@RikkyTang]

That's a fair shout about waiting to get the Akra Ian, so you have both silencers to hand. And congrats on putting the deposit down 😊 With the XSR the sound is more in the airbox than the exhaust but I have to admit I really like it!

[@fyorbane]

I saw one of these in the flesh the other day in the lovely racing/Gauloises blue and it looked much nicer than in pics or video's. The seat unit I do not like and from what I have seen and read many others do not like either. Corbin do a better looking replacement. I believe you can get a kit for these from Yamaha which includes a bikini fairing , seat fairing and exhaust which do improve the looks considerably. Velocity-Moto also have a gorgeous RD500LC full body kit coming out for these soon. The motor in these is a cracking good one and offers more low and mid range torque than the Triumph 765 Street Triples. I wouldn't mind one as a second bike to my superb '22' Aprilia 1100 V4 Tuono.

[@RikkyTang]

It is a lovely bike to be sure! Did you see the new "DB-40" prototype that Yamaha showed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed? Now that is a good looking piece of kit (same seat though!)

[@malcolmabram2957]

Great review, lovely attractive bike. Thank you Ricky. I ride a naked bike, but wear ear plugs. It stops the helmet wind noise and one hardly notices the wind on the body or even the bike. The only problem is one cannot hear the engine work so much.

[@RikkyTang]

Thank you Malcolm, yes this bike is a strong contender for my next bike as it feels great to ride! No shaft drive though so that's something I'd have to get over 😁 I never ride without earplugs myself on any bike and it's been that way for about 20 years now!

[@newbierides]

How does the leg position feel on this bike? i sat on one then sat on the MT09, the MT09 the legs hug the tank perfect, this bike has a more round tank that didn't seem like it would be very comfortable. But when ridding I am sure that changes, compared to just sitting on it at the dealer.

[@RikkyTang]

I saw a video from Lamb Chop Rides recently and he noted the difference in the tank shape between the MT09 and the XSR900. I haven't ridden an MT09 in a long time but it seems that the latest model has perhaps an unusually narrow tank and the XSR tank has a more traditional shape. I don't recall the XSR feeling particularly wide and so I think it'll be fine 😊

[@carlosvejar3938]

I am choosing between this and the Kawasaki z900 SE

[@anthonycoffey6565]

I'm in the same boat. Always loved Yamaha but enjoy my current Vulcan 650, it's a heartwrenching decision 😅

[@carlosvejar3938]

@@anthonycoffey6565 I bought a Suzuki V-STROM 800. Picked it up today

[@carlosvejar3938]

@@anthonycoffey6565 I bought the Suzuki V-STROM 800. It's a blast

[@johnsteer5701]

Ricky do you prefer this to the r1250r

[@RikkyTang]

Tricky question! Put simply I prefer the BMW as the engine is 30% bigger! Having said that now that I've had the R1250R for over two years I've started to think about what I might have next, and I really liked how well this bike performed, handled, how it sounded and how much lighter it is than my bike! The only problem is that I think I want a change from naked bikes and want a fairing on my next one.... so as I said, tricky! That Yamaha DB40 prototype that I made a video of recently looks amazing though! Plus you can get body kits for the XSR900 too but they are pretty pricy 🤔

[@johnsteer5701]

Thanks Ricky for your reply .I have tried the r1250r and it was lovely but as i've had my r850r for 22years i fancied something different and just wanted your view on the xsr or should i stick with BMW @@RikkyTang

[@Milehi6h]

How tall are you please? Im 6' 32" inseam and 210 lbs

[@RikkyTang]

I am 5'7 with a 32" inseam. About 175lb in gear

[@kalnwi2023]

lol, doubt you have a 32" inseam@@RikkyTang

[@westsussexbikers]

Dont like the looks of the seat, especially the rear part. Reminds me of the 2/4 seats of the 80's. Would look better with a flat seat at the rear

[@fyorbane]

Corbin do a nice replacement seat for this bike. That would be the first thing I would do to this bike.

[@Mo-xx9gg]

That's the point of the seat!

[@bogarbill6331]

WHO cares 😵

[@user-hf8ie8mf3n]

👍🤪🇨🇦

[@c.g.c2067]

Brakes could be better in my view