Yamaha XSR900 GP takes on Donington Park | MCN track test

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Is this your favourite new sportsbike for 2024? Tell us below 👇

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

It would be a tough choice between this and the R9, but I still don't know if either one is coming stateside.

[@viennapalace]

Yes, yes it is.

[@Retromansite]

Definitely! I punted a RZ500 for a number of years before regretfully letting it go (to a museum). This looks like a great replacement!

[@andydavis3668]

Finally, a manufacturer who has realised that chasing numbers is no longer what mainstream riders need or want. Someone here has had the balls to make motorcycling fun again.

[@magaudion]

Yup. Picked mine up this week. Bloody love it

[@etdbsub0]

Congratulations!! And for clarification, what about the color, it’s orange or red?

[@QuackLoud]

I want this "Gentleman's Sportsbike"! Please import it to the USA. 117 bhp is perfect for us "Gentlemen" whose track days are a little milder now. Just putting this in the garage so I can stare at it would be worth it!

[@brianrainey2739]

....and Canada.

[@snakerb]

Right?! I’m sad that this isn’t coming to the US (or so they say).

[@jirihorsky9600]

Huh, thought it was a worldwide launch, so America gets the short end of the stick again. On one hand, I feel for you. On the other, BWAHAHAHAHA (evil laughter).

[@derekcharlesgrey]

@@snakerbit’s said it will come in 2025

[@ganuvien]

Yeah i've been waiting for this or the R9 to come to US. I missed my 2016 XSR900 and loved the CP3 because to me it's the ultimate street motor with not too much or too little. But I do want fairings for wind protection and sportier ergos for fun riding/track.

[@LambChopRides]

Love this bike, reminds me I really need to borrow one on the UK roads

[@HippoDrones]

It is a cracking bike Chopsy, loads of fun on the road! 🙂

[@krishnack79]

This is an amazing review , an amazing bike, just returned from a track day where I did a couple of sessions on this (changing from an R1) absolutely amazing , I never had that much fun, it's controlled yet enjoyable a perfect fit for my skill level

[@Poorlybobsdad]

They should do a blue and yellow Gauloise one too 👍🏻

[@markwat5958]

I’m waiting for my new power grey one to arrive next month, it’s having the bodywork stripped and painted in KR yellow and black team livery with gold wheels. Still looking for a twin silencer exhaust to fit but haven’t come across one yet other than the Leovince which doesn’t quite look right.

[@Poorlybobsdad]

@@markwat5958 that will look ace 👍🏻

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I'm sure there's an eager paint shop out there somewhere.

[@Gambo916]

And a Lucky Strike......aka Rainey and Mamola.

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

One of the best looking bikes of our generation. 😍

[@Secularworld60]

There must have been a few fatalities at that track , ghosts seem to be walking constantly through those doors behind you

[@BRMCaptChaos]

Saw and sat on one last week. I really like it! Great package for the road and odd track day. Looks great in those colours, transforms it from grey. I hope they sell well, more of these, less 200bhp road bikes and the market could react favourably.

[@innomoto]

Woohoo, finally the XSR900 GP gets its moment in the spotlight at Donington! 🌞🏁 It's like watching a retired rockstar take the stage again and still rocking it! Loving the 80s vibe-Yamaha really nailed it. Can't wait to see what they cook up with the R9. Keep these videos coming, MCN! 😄

[@seanys]

I already want one. I’m too old and stiff to ride it, but I still want one.

[@autonomousindividual7780]

Stretch, seriously. You can really improve that and it will benefit you in many more ways than riding.

[@buster8847]

This so much better with a belly pan than the open engine at bottom

[@doug3011]

I love this bike ..great vid guys

[@H5TLR]

looks like a Freddie Spencer tribute and they made a lovely job of it

[@richguest66]

I was there on my gsxr1100, remember racing a nsr400 all the way home through traffic. Couldn’t believe how quick that Honda was

[@ANSWERTHECALLOFJESUSCHRIST]

I'm not a retro head, and back in the 80s I was a child so I wasn't aware of bikes, but man...I would so buy this bike if Yamaha sold it in the US. I love the CP3 engine and everything it stands for, but am put off by the looks of the bikes that use it. This bike looks so...I can't describe it. It's just proper, especially with the optional bottom fairing, and the triple-engine tone somehow goes with its looks. The modern things on it compliment its vintage looks, like a formula done just right!

[@churchofbrap876]

If Yamaha doesn't bring it to the US, I'm Tempted to build my own with the Velocity Moto kit! Would be more comfortable with the standard upright bars.

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! Very well done. Beautiful bike for sure. Best!

[@veritasvincit2745]

I was at Redgate that year when Niall went into the lead. The crowd roar was very audible over everything else. I was 20 and went on my FJ1100. The only GP I ever went to in the 80s and a great race.

[@ihorvorontsov7938]

Extra like for the top of that shark helmet❤

[@LowQualityPigeon]

This bike has been added to my dream bike list. Even tho it may never be released in my country but still a man can always dream.

[@Gambo916]

Mr Neeves.......we may well have been stood beside each other watching Mac come down craner that day............I can still hear that cheer too!

[@dannyperfect9270]

Not really convinced with the ‘Gentleman’s’ angle. I’m 36, came from a BMW S1000rr and just wanted something more suitable for the road. The track isn’t what the bike is intended for. You can’t get anywhere near exploiting the full power on the road

[@stefanhansen5882]

At 5:27 you said something interesting about the suspension being soft, which you say is good with these tires. Can you elaborate on that, please. I never knew that tire choice and suspension softness/hardness was related.

[@HippoDrones]

I can't wait to get mine on track, is ace on the road!

[@sparfell7630]

THANKS

[@somatyk]

Looks so good. Great review. And subtitles rejoice🙏

[@francoisrobles1022]

Hello, i m french so sorry for my English. I have since one year the Street RS but with her i don't like the fact you have to go to 10 000 rpm to have power. The 130 cv are only at 12 000 rmp so in road i m never at this stage. My usual range in rpm in road is 6000 rpm and 11 000 rpm so it means 60 cv and 110 cv. I try yesterday the 900 GP and the motor have much more power and torque between 2000 and 9000 rmp. I love it. My only question is on the chassis the cycle of the GP900. The one of the Street seems to be much more better but the Street i have it since one year and the Yamaha only 40 minutes. So does on the road the GP 900 will be very good as the Street is ? So my big question is i will be disapointed on the chassis cycle on road if i take the GP900 ?

[@tonyw3250]

This would look nice in my shed, sat along with my Yamaha RD350LC

[@dannyperfect9270]

you lucky git

[@simonburgess5929]

I'm interested in finding out what tyres you are going to use instead of the Bridgestone S22.

[@LordTakkun86]

Since we never going to get this bike in Malaysia. I can only wait for the R9, if it ever come out.

[@iodineclip]

never loose hope !

[@grahamsmith2022]

When they make a 500cc V4 two stroke version I'll be interested.

[@Zx6rBlue]

Never going to happen

[@grahamsmith2022]

@@Zx6rBlue sad but true.

[@grahamsmith2022]

@JasonPRitchie and then some.

[@JustBadly]

Yamaha are pulling the R1 (4 cyl) from the EU market because of emissions crap. This is the replacement. Neeves said the paint scheme was a great reason to ride it -- couldnt be any other reason!

[@dreamcrusher112]

@@JustBadly They claim emissions but it is actually sales, they just won't admit it. Fewer than 30 sold in the UK last year. Nobody buys them because insurance is crazy, and you can't use it properly outside a track here in speed camera central uk.

[@jimmybh]

Saw one in the flesh for the first time just the other day, wow, it sure is a head turner, and felt comfortable for my 49 year old frame! Be great to see this tested alongside the Ducati 950 Super Sport - I guess it's closest rival as a comfortable sports bike, but isn't a sports tourer! (not far off price wise either compared to the Ducati by the time you have used Yamaha's configurator to spec one up + exhaust)

[@trackdaybob]

I've ordered one. 20th July 😊

[@steveb4666]

Me too - 19th July…. Salivating

[@cartaun5276]

Real review starts at 3:47

[@TheHkluivert]

Would this be competition for the Ducati Supersport 950 S?

[@mickl8212]

The R9 needs to be the triple engine in the R6 chassis.

[@susanboucher2116]

Thank God they’ve got rid of the lethal over banding that made track days so terrifying!

[@TheHkluivert]

What is over banding 🧐?

[@susanboucher2116]

Cheap rubber sealant to cover cracks in the tarmac! Totally lethal in the wet!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I'm guessing a set of cams would really provide some edge to the engine, without changing much of anything else.

[@thetonetosser]

Those sliding doors need a bit of maintenance.

[@thecornishbiker9323]

Like this but Really want the r9 in Marlboro colours. Was at that gp too neevsey we all thought nial was gona win.

[@PEZ1514]

The cp3 engine would make a horrible sportsbike. Please people need to stop

[@thecornishbiker9323]

@@PEZ1514 its never gona be a s1000rr but 120bhp in a r1 lookalike bike with a touch of comfort would sell i think. Ad some nostalgia in the paintwork and bingo

[@PEZ1514]

@thecornishbiker9323 my comment has nothing to do with horsepower. Have you ridden an mt09 have you ridden track? The throttle of the cp3 is horrible for track riding.

[@conorallen100]

​@@PEZ1514you know they could put a different throttle tube on it or tune it's fueling different

[@thecornishbiker9323]

@@PEZ1514 i had an mt10sp and i get what you mean about the throttle. Had mine remapped and it cured alot of the issues. But hopefully yamaha work on getting the fueling perfect on the r9 as it will be used in the race bikes from 2025 .

[@lgrw660factory]

Great looking bike. Could suit me well. One question about the video though… Why do people think the R9 will be based on the same platform? Surely the R9 will replace the R1 and be much more hardcore than the XSR900GP? Does the mythical R9 even get a triple? Does anyone actually know?

[@dannyperfect9270]

people keep saying...'can't wait for the R9'...it'll just be an uncomfortable full on sport bike but without the blistering speed

[@dizzicz]

@@dannyperfect9270 people just don't understand that engine volume has to go up, to meet emission standards. Trying to compare R9 (middle weight) to R1 (superbike) is just stupid. Clearly Yamaha will introduce another engine to match R1. Something around 1200-1300ccm. Anyone can see that with brands like KTM and Ducati.

[@ishamkader2696]

Yamaha always “Originally Yamaha”💖👍🙏🏽

[@RetroRocketeer]

YAMAHA! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! BRING THE XSR900GP TO THE STATES!

[@180FiftyFive]

Why are there such huge gaps in between all the panels? It doesn't give it a retro feel, I know they can do better than that. Just makes it look like something put together by a DIYer in the garage

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I love the looks of it. It sounds like both of you were impressed by it until you talk about the brakes, suspension, tires and power at least on the track. I think it would be better used on street which is fine with me.

[@axeltrescher5298]

A comparison on road and track against the MV Agusta Superveloce 800 S would be great. The MV is the direct opponent to this bike..

[@exothermal.sprocket]

30 horsepower difference at high revs.

[@xsatn2082]

Dual headlights and analogue clocks would sell it for me

[@kaysix4838]

Ah looks class,love to see a pepsi Suzuki along side 👌

[@ogofog9120]

Looks nice but I reckon a Street Triple RS would kill it on track for less money & more comfort on the road

[@susanboucher2116]

Where’s the Akrapovic?

[@robertchapman6795]

That engine, properly tuned for top end. Camshafts, lightweight valves and springs, breathing mods, etc, stuck in an R6 chassis, would touch me in all the right places! Hmmm, MotoGP going 850 soon! 🤔

[@legaltender86]

Who the hell did the colour grading and made a red bike orange??

[@motojc]

This is a bike I can appreciate. But an R9 is what I want.

[@braaaaaaaaaaap]

Short shifting the heck outta that thing on track. Rev it out to ~10,500

[@splodge57]

So where's the road test?🥱

[@SO2011BR]

Yamaha nailed it.....except for not selling in the US. WTF?!?!

[@davroshalfbeard8368]

Great looking bike bit pedestrian for my self😂but they well sell shed loads am sure .

[@michalewinski9005]

I can’t believe Yamaha is still pushing those old shitty brakes. Especially at that price. P.S. good job Carl, very decent review.

[@dizzicz]

Aren't these brakes same like on R6? They are doing pretty well in SSP and other competitions...

[@michalewinski9005]

@@dizzicz they were pretty decent until abs was added. Old, complicated unit. After cancelling abs, putting in an emulator, braided lines and racing pads they are usable. Like oem Brembos on most modern motorcycles out of the box. Too much hassle.

[@dizzicz]

@@michalewinski9005 I don't know. IMHO 99% of brakes assessment from people, is about braking pads characteristics. Just put there anything what bites and people are blown away, and it doesn't matter how usable that is for riding. And I'm not even counting suspension role for the braking (in this review they at least adjusted it little bit)

[@pokie6087]

Finally, Yamaha go back to building hardcore bikes

[@kaw7513]

I wonder how it compares with new CBR600RR on track🤔🤔

[@Terraceview]

It will get completely destroyed by the CBR.

[@chrisbellamy2927]

i think its a sheep in wolfs clothing. the fact it was holding all the bikes up behind him says this is the case , r.i.p fzr exup.

[@trackdaybob]

Like any trackday, it says more about the rider than the bike.

[@dannyperfect9270]

@@trackdaybob It was Neeves overtaking

[@kevinkohler2750]

Yamaha: put the gold wheels on it and bring it to the US, please!

[@future62]

I want an R9.... just put this engine in an R6 and drop the price a bit

[@ericalger5003]

I think Yamaha should bring it to the USA market and see if it sells. My gut says it would be a flop but who knows. It's a good looking bike but performance wise it seems it might be a bit boring.

[@churchofbrap876]

Trust me, these bikes are anything but boring. I have the previous version, with Graves exhaust, ECU tune and filter. It's an amazing engine and one of my all time favorites.

[@ericalger5003]

@churchofbrap876 I have a 2021 Ninja 1000SX, and some would say IT is boring 😴. I am too old, broken up, and arthritic for a new ZX10R.

[@TXLorenzo]

Those damn Ducatis keep flying up your rear.

[@fizzy49cc]

7.5/10 solid effort Sat on one recently & liked it straight away (comfy for ageing fatties who still like sports bikes -ME). It reminded me of a mid 80's GPX600/750 (surprise, surprise) you could probably tour on it. I (mostly) like the looks. Very brave of Yamaha & sorely needed as an alternative to current minging sports bikes. Except. (deep breath) The tailpiece looks odd/tacked on/unfinished/ my mates streetfighter etc. The belly pan/fairing panel gap is laughable, perhaps they are going for the "I binned it qualifying for pole" look. Also I've never gelled with the MT09 engine & actually prefer the MT07. Although admittedly only after a 1hr test ride on each bike. So for me I'd like a 750/800 R7 (R8? not a Renault) with the riding position & headlamp from the GP. In Lucky Strike colours (oops). C'mon Suzuki where's GSX8-Schwantz (see what I did there) or even a Randy Monster rep. (tenuous I know) Randy Elefant just sounds wrong.

[@carlgray6764]

Perhaps i would not ride this bike ... but i would love it in my front room on display who wouldn't ?

[@paulred158]

Minor niggle Slightly weird colour grading. Neevsey looks jaundiced and the lovely yammie looks more KTM. Great content though.

[@girishs1755]

tourers have now overflowed onto the track now i suppose

[@paulfowler7618]

Rode on on the road and found it really uncomfortable and the fairing didn't offer much to protect me from the wind. 🤔

[@etdbsub0]

It’s orange or red?

[@paulhope3401]

Was thinking the same... in other footage and pics it looks a bit less orange.

[@HeyAddieImTojo]

It’s kinda fluo red in reality. Looks good in the sun👍🏻

[@1100andFortyEight]

It’s red, the colour balance in this video is off. For reference, the onboard shots looking back at the rider show a true red on both his Union Jack helmet and the bike’s fairing.

[@dombower]

Someone needs to sort out camera white balance

[@brianrainey2739]

Evidently they used to paint the race bikes and cars orange so they would appear as Marlboro red when on TV.

[@KB-yj5xp]

I just don't like the headlight, wish it had 2 round lights instead, but looks like an awesome bike.b

[@mojomania101]

So it's not fast enough to be a sports bike. Just looking the part. What we'd call a cafe racer then.

[@dannyperfect9270]

Isn't 156 mph enough for the road... 0-60 3.4 secs? This is what people want....litre bikes are just too much nowadays for most people

[@chasebelcher7932]

Enough with rehasing old styling. The old folks who will enjoy this for what it used to be are few and far between.

[@christopherpalmer4243]

Looks like an 80's miscarriage

[@rafaperez6849]

Subtítulos spain

[@Bunter1815]

1:53 lol

[@motorsforthemasses]

XSR GP vs XSR900 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hquQe4CDjLt_b8U

[@BrianMcCann421]

Shame it's not a polished frame and swingarm, instead it's just silver paint, such a shame

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

It looks too tall, in the saddle, and CG. Why the ^&*% anyone want to go back to the late 80s ? I've ridden Yamaha supersports, since the mid-80s, and am on my 8th. This bike though is true to Yamaha's musical instrument philosophy, I trust your opinion however. It reminds me of the GPZ-900, physically. On another subject, we're having a rash of fatalities on the road here. 90% are cars turning left, right in front of the bikes.

[@pax1980]

Sounds like you guys are giving it a lot of leeway in it's faults. Honestly, the suspension is NOT up to the task, there is no way around it no matter how many excuses you give it. A gentlemen's sportbike? That is kind of laughable really. Its nothing more than an aesthetic piece and a stop gap until the r9 shows up.

[@guslythgow7103]

Well you're wrong, the suspension is perfect for quick road riding, at this stage I don't see the need to even change the brake pads..

[@MrDeepseadweller]

I just can’t understand how people think this bike is beautiful. Guess I’m in the minority

[@andrewg4412]

A lot of people are very nostalgic. I had a lot of old 90's sporty bikes so I'd be very keen if it wasn't so expensive

[@ljj808]

You’re not - it looks shite

[@urbanstrencan]

Love the looks but simply don't like Yamaha 😅

[@ljj808]

Although all the mags are gooey about this, the XSR range was supposed to be a Retro “road” bike. Judging by how many bikes overtook Carl, this is clearly not fast enough for a track, so it’s not a “GP” bike of any kind. Its looks can only appeal to those who enjoyed Racing in the 80s, and as such I can’t see Yamaha selling many. The “Racers” will be waiting for the R9. The Retro crowd will be wishing Yamaha still made the original XSR900. I had one, and am about to buy an Abarth (with flat bars) - THAT’S a Retro bike for the road IMHO. Triumph stopped making the Thruxton due (presumably) due to lack of demand, so maybe the whole “racing” Retros thing is dead anyway ?