Yamaha XSR900 GP | First Impression Review / Thoughts

[@presstodelete1165]

First new bike thats grabbed my interest for over 10 years, very tempting.

[@HippoDrones]

I fell in love with it when I first saw it at EICMA

[@johndiehardmclean23]

I see what your doing here mate,having a bike for all scenarios! 😉👍 This is completely stunning & love the retro looks,with a pile of modern tech as peace of mind! 😎✌️

[@HippoDrones]

@@johndiehardmclean23 get all bases covered and there is never an excuse not to ride! 😁

[@sibeeriauk]

Good review mate, nice real owner point of view. Should get mine next week. I’ve got the deltabox stickers already thanks to you. Had a demonstrator a month or so ago and been waiting since, getting so I can’t wait much longer.👍

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh thank you 🙂 That is awesome, I am utterly loving mine... so the review is possibly a tad bias... am sure you will too.

[@MrSTAdventures]

She really is a stunner, retro looks and magnificent paint scheme. If I was looking for this style of bike I would definitely be giving this one a try. 👍🏻

[@HippoDrones]

I pretty much adore it in all respects, it's like the bike was made for me!

[@economicalrides]

Nice looking bike but does it have "rider moods" ? 😂 Glad you are enjoying it and that it hasn't disappointed you Pete. You get a mention in tonight's video by the way 😉 Take care Pete, Garry & Ruby

[@HippoDrones]

@@economicalrides haha, it definitely lifts my mood... although the weather is stopping me getting out on it currently sadly. Ahh, I shall keep an eye out for that 🙂👍

[@markfortin8286]

It’s an incredibly cool bike, I hope they bring it to the US.

[@HippoDrones]

I really don't understand why they have not done so already

[@kangacrew540]

I watched this video not because I want it thou it's got some nice retro components and glad you love it. The engine is remarkable. I noticed the seat goes right to the tank. A slight tweak from my xsr900 23 model. I would love that on my bike. Not sure if the seating is the same or tanks longer. Would you know? The mirrors are good but a pain. Alot of xsr riders toss out the stock. I recon you would get better top speed on this beast with the fairings and I'd imagine its been mapped differently. Happy riding hippo man.

[@HippoDrones]

it has some lovely attention to detail. The engine is a peach, I'm still getting used to it and on the tail end of running it in, so not giving it full hard throttle... but wow is it rapid, and so user friendly. The seat is comfy, but it wobbles about a lot, I need to find a way to wedge it in position, have heard it is a simple fix though thankfully, just a shame Yamaha didn't think to do it themselves. I am not sure if they have a different tank. I agree about the mirrors, they work very well, but make the bike very wide and also it is a long way to look to them vs having them on the fairing uppers... I also keep knocking them when walking past the bike in my garage. Not sure on mapping, but had heard it is a little faster due to aerodynamics. Thanks for taking a look mate 🙂

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

She's a beauty mate! Not my cup of tea, or riding style, but that doesn't stop me enjoying watching you enjoy it! 😊 Bit of a classic, with some modern farkles, I guess, but looks the goods!

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks David, yeah I get it is the opposite of the adv style of bikes, but I really really love it. It is however making me realise I could do with a V Strom in my life. I looked at trying to convert the rear on my 8S to a V Strom bum, but sadly the frame looks different and the subframe won't mount to the 8S, so seems a no go.... So am juggling my bank balance to see if I can afford the swap with the 8S to an 800RE, but not sure if possible... especially seeing what the dealerships say my 9 month old, 3500mile 8S is worth 🤬

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@HippoDrones OK - You'll have to explain the VStrom desire... to me it is a bike, like mine, that is a sort of compromise between a true ADV bike and a Road Tourer. Your Aprilia surely is about the best you can get in ADV, is also a great long distance bike, and now the 2 road bikes you have would make any twisties ride a fun one - maybe explain in a Video ;) Not being smart at all mate, hope you realise, just can't get it from my point of view. (Which is also why it is always good to look at other people's points of view).

[@HippoDrones]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger I want an every day bike, that us what the 8S was supposed to be, but it is possibly one of the least practical bikes I've owned and is terrible in the rain. As is my Aprilia with trail tyres, it just is not enjoyable to ride onvwet tarmac, even dry tarmac it wobbles all over the place, so a V Strom would be a good practical motorcycle

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@HippoDrones Ahhh! Thanks mate, now it makes sense - bung a good set of road tyres on and it'll be just as good in the wet as dry 👍

[@HippoDrones]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger sadly with the 8S, it was the wrong bike for me.... it is an awesome machine and huge fun, but I want a more practical motorbike

[@inked-96]

Love everything except the headlight. I have an xsr900 and I can't stop looking at the Tuono 1100 😅. I'd love the GP but 12.5k without adding on anything is pretty steep. Enjoy it.

[@HippoDrones]

I rarely ride at night, so the headlight doesn't really bother me. How have you gotten on with the XSR900? The Tuono is a cracking bike, I keep meaning to get a demo on one, but am not sure it is a bike I'd want to own.

[@inked-96]

@HippoDrones it's a lovely engine, but after 700 miles from new, the vibration is unbearable through the bars and pegs. Ordered some rubbers pegs and grip puppies. Failing that. It'll be sold unfortunately.

[@HippoDrones]

@@inked-96 ahh that is a shame, I def feel vibes in the bars on this too, but on par with my other road bike so manageable for me for the moment 🙂 I hope you can sort it to an acceptable level for you.

[@inked-96]

@HippoDrones Unfortunately, the vibes seem to be a common thing once the bike has been broken in. I asked on the forum today, and many are experiencing the same.

[@HippoDrones]

@@inked-96 ahh that is a shame

[@stevesanelli90]

Great looking bike Hippo! Cracking generational looks! Go Rainey!

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks Steve, I'm muchly in love with it!

[@oldman748]

Pick mine up weekend. Can't wait

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh brilliant stuff, which colour/options did you go for?

[@oldman748]

@HippoDrones same as yours but with the belly pan

[@HippoDrones]

@@oldman748 ahh wicked, I think that is a popular addition

[@MrSportster12]

Great looking bike. Reminds me of Eddie Lawson's GP 2 stroke bike. I was thinking it would make the Suzuki redundant but if this is going to be a dry day bike that would explain it.

[@HippoDrones]

Aye, proper retro-racer paint and styling. Currently the 8S is staying, I had hoped to trade it in for a V Strom 800RE, but the trade in price of the 8S is shocking, so will probably keep it at least till next spring now, maybe longer, it is an absolute hoot to ride, so am in no hurry to get rid, I'd just prefer something a little more practical

[@CalmBiker]

Change in my life? Never! You'll have to press that tech into my cold dead hands! Looks like you are enjoying it 🙂

[@HippoDrones]

🤣 Hahaha 🤣 You know you want it really... 😁

[@rsq72]

Congratulations! Bike of the year for me, I’m not jealous at all, much!? Could well be the bike I replace the f4i with, eventually, 1 day, maybe!? Enjoy.. 😊

[@HippoDrones]

Thank you. Yeah I agree, bike of the year 😎👍

[@MarkOneMoto]

I got the impression you quite like this bike Pete? 😆..bloody lovely mate, congrats again 😀👏🏼👍

[@HippoDrones]

What ever made you think that? 😁😎🥰👍

[@Land-Shark]

That's a beauty! Wishing you many happy miles on it :)

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks mate, I've loved every wheel turn so far 🙂

[@CodgerBiker]

Love it! Looking forward to seeing how you get along with it. Your enthusiasm shines through 👍

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers mate, I'm hoping we are suited together for a long time 🙂👍

[@CodgerBiker]

@@HippoDrones Looks like a keeper 👍

[@HippoDrones]

@@CodgerBiker I hope so 🙏

[@AGardenShed]

Looks awesome. I know what you mean about clip ons above the top yolk. My CBr was the same. Position was comfy providing you stayed off back roads. Hope an Akra is in the works for it. It’ll sound amazing.

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks Freddie, yeah... I am getting used to them and the riding position, it all comes together really well at speeds I can't show on camera! :-D The Akra is in my eBay watchlist, but it is an awful lot of money even though it is cheaper than the official Yamaha version.... I'm waiting to see what offerings other companies do, but no doubt I'll end up with the Akra :-D

[@AGardenShed]

@@HippoDrones yeah I know the feeling loved the position of the CBR comfy yet sporty. See my logic is dream bike dream pipe. There’s just something about the sound of an Akra on a Yamaha. It just sounds right. But yeah agreed they are VERY pricey. I found that the race system with optional cat and baffle performed the same volume as the road system but was a few hundred cheaper.

[@HippoDrones]

@@AGardenShed It is still £1600 though... I also want to do some trackdays on the bike, so I need to ensure it is still within noise limits if I swap anything out 🙂

[@mellowr1]

Nice mate👍Probably just down to the Marlborough paint scheme, but they do look awesome👍I really like them😎I'm off to check out the engine spec😀enjoy👍

[@HippoDrones]

Yeah, it is pretty striking isn't it. 🙂

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

What a fantastic looking bike. Good little introduction too. I rode a XSR900 a few years, and I really liked it. This version really seems to nail it though. Not a big fan of quick shifters, but I think that is me being an old fart! Good luck with it and I hope to see it the flesh at somepoint

[@HippoDrones]

I think it looks amazing, Yamaha really nailed it. I've not tried the standard XSR, am kinda glad I didn't when getting the Suzuki GSX 8S as it could have swayed my decision and then I'd possibly not have gotten this one! 😀 I used to feel the same way about QS, but am a huge fan of them now 🙂 Hopefully we'll be able to sort a meet up or somit 🙂

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

@@HippoDrones a meet up at some point would be great. Long overdue

[@HippoDrones]

@@anthonydonnelly8419 very much so mate

[@davexs]

Bloomin lovely.....Love it

[@HippoDrones]

[@andyins1]

fantastic review , looks and sounds a fantastic bike . looking forward to getting mine at some point in the future

[@HippoDrones]

Thank you Andy, I hope you don't have to wait too long! 🙂

[@andyins1]

@@HippoDrones August 10th is my collection date, counting down the days 😀

[@HippoDrones]

@@andyins1 😎🤘

[@RoadsOfOz]

Great looking bike. Looks like alot of fun to ride.

[@HippoDrones]

It really is... on both counts! 😀

[@MVDBR]

That bike looks as cool as it looks uncomfortable 😅 Very nice tho Pete good choice mate 👌

[@HippoDrones]

Hahahaha... thankfully I am getting used to the riding position, so the cool ratio is increasing! 😀

[@MVDBR]

@@HippoDrones 👌😎😎

[@HippoDrones]

@@MVDBR 🧊= 11 😀

[@cowtipper84]

Am I right in thinking there are different views for the rev counter and speedo. All the press Blurbs tend to show a more "retro" appearance. EDIT. Well clearly I didnt watch far enough into the video before I asked this question. Smashing bike though

[@HippoDrones]

Yes mate, there are a few display options to choose from

[@nepapera]

Yamaha XSR 900 GP is very beautiful motorbike. It somehow reminds me at Suzuki RG 500 Gamma or Honda VFR 1000 F2 Bol Dor.

[@HippoDrones]

@@nepapera it's definitely got some design nods towards those older bikes for sure 🙂👍

[@tonyjourneyman1944]

Nice bike, matching helmet? Hope the gsx-8s still gets a look in. What a day!

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks, haha... yeah, I got my HJC V10 for this bike mainly 😁 This bike is my sunny day bike, the 8S is my run around and day to day bike so will get plenty of use I imagine

[@matthewcoleman8267]

Gorgeous bike, they really nailed it. Def the right colours, the black/gray one doesn't look quite right. Sadly my wrists and gut would probably prevent me getting one though lol

[@HippoDrones]

Isn't it just. I am getting used to the riding position now, but it is still a little wristy

[@RRatedCustoms]

Darn you! I have spent the past few weeks trying to keep from baking in the heat here. This excellent review has me jonesing for more than editing my own videos. So Hippo 2 ride mode has the turbo mode with infinite power or is the one with the cheat codes?😅

[@HippoDrones]

B, A, B, A, up, down, left, right, start and select! 😀

[@RRatedCustoms]

@@HippoDrones I thoight as much😄

[@HippoDrones]

@@RRatedCustoms 😀

[@Trevster65]

Yamaha knocked it out of the park with this one… enjoy. Just need Kawasaki to re release the gpz900 now.

[@HippoDrones]

They really did indeedy 😎👍 Ahh, that would be epic... I noticed they used the paint scheme for their 40th anniversary bikes as an option

[@HORNET6]

The GP is a celebratory nod to 80’s GP race bikes, are there not Kawasaki GP bikes that they would hunt at rather than a modern iteration of the GPz900?

[@HippoDrones]

@@HORNET6 aye, be ace if all the manufacturers got on the 90's retro train... but a modern GPz900 would be cool

[@MRTPR]

Interesting bike, how does it compare to the GSX-8S . Power, handling etc. A comparison video would be nice maybe 😎 I would love riding mods on my bike. I like the half push on the indicator and the auto cancelling feature. Take care Mate

[@HippoDrones]

Totally different bikes mate, and I tend to leave the bike specs for people to check online as they are easily available. But the 8S has around 80bhp and is a parallel twin, the GP around 120 and is a triple. The 8S is all about bottom and mid-range torque, the GP is mid-range and top end power... it does have more torque ultimately, but as it is higher up the revs, it is smoother. The 8S is a bit of a hooligan to ride, like a supermoto, the GP is more refined and obviously more sporty 🙂 They both weigh about the same, have a 14l tank, but ride and feel very different.

[@MRTPR]

@@HippoDrones cheers, I like the sound of the hooligan bike.

[@HippoDrones]

@@MRTPR 😁 it is a lotta fun 😁

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Interesting bike, unfortunately not available in the U.S. currently....I've been told. It will also be interesting to see how this bike figures in your bike riding rotation after the break in period.

[@HippoDrones]

Yeah it is madness it isn't available in the USA given the race bikes it is styled on were both ridden by American racing legends. This will be my sunny day bike, it certainly won't be coming out in the rain intentionally, so the others should still get plenty of use... although am not sure how long I'll keep my Beta as it just doesn't get ridden anywhere near enough for what it costs me to keep it legal.

[@soilsmanadv6673]

sounds like a great Super Sport..

[@HippoDrones]

Am very much looking forward to it being fully run in to fully find out 🤘😁

[@ianbaker2359]

Done 450 miles on mine so far and it’s lovely. Wrists not an issue but position a pain if in traffic for too long. Otherwise a total blast. Getting 160 miles before a refill. Cruise is really handy and easy to use. Don’t buy it if you don’t like being pestered at bike meets as it draws a crowd. Can’t wait for rev limit to be removed at first service.

[@HippoDrones]

@@ianbaker2359 you can adjust the gear change rev limit yourself

[@rolandstaines3249]

Hi ripper mate :)

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers Ro 🍻 🙂👍

[@CampbellZeroOne]

If I had one, the fuel range wouldn't be an issue... Because it would be permanently parked up under spotlights in my hallway 😂

[@HippoDrones]

Haha... I sold my ornament of a motorcycle... no point having a bike you don't ride! 😁

[@maxforster9892]

One pack is better then no pack ?! Maybe you’d get better QS noises with some exhaust mods ?!

[@HippoDrones]

Haha, true! 🤣 Possibly, the exhaust swap on my 8S perked that up

[@Saddlebags73]

Tiz gurt lush. 😍

[@HippoDrones]

Aparently when I translate that to English (from Cornwolian no doubt) that means "The knee belt is lush"! 😀

[@Saddlebags73]

@@HippoDrones 🤣🤣🤣 could be a Zummerzet phrase.

[@HippoDrones]

@@Saddlebags73 😀

[@BigDaveTALKS]

So does this have its own spot in front of the TV? It would be totally understandable 😆.

[@HippoDrones]

Hahaha... I'm riding it too often for it to come inside! 😀

[@theodorstravels]

Still like the looks of it, even though I know for sure, I would not want to own one.

[@HippoDrones]

I have to agree, it was the looks that sold it to me, but thankfully I can get comfy-ish on it still 😀

[@theodorstravels]

@@HippoDrones well, you are used to riding sports bikes anyway, so you have that distorted feeling of comfort 😝

[@HippoDrones]

@@theodorstravels I am a bit of a sadomasochist 🤣

[@theodorstravels]

@@HippoDrones nanny spanked much? 😆

[@shelleygorodetzer1130]

I like the bike, this guy talks too much. It's gibberish

[@HippoDrones]

Would you prefer it to be a silent movie of my first impressions, am sure that would be very beneficial and would allow you to agree or disagree with my points most efficiently!