- Gets fully retro styling
- Based on the same underpinning as XSR900
- Unlikely to be launched in India
A few months ago, rumours of a heritage-inspired Yamaha XSR900 surfaced with an expected launch at the EICMA. Well, the Japanese manufacturer is just in time, unveiling the XSR900 GP for international markets.
Right away, you’d notice the striking design of the motorcycle that harks back to the GP racing of the ‘80s. While the rear end wears a cowl on the stock XSR900’s seat, the front end is, in a way, radical. Properly old-school in its appearance, the Yamaha XSR900 GP comes with a bikinin fairing that features a petite LED headlamp that is flanked by conventionally-mounted LED turn indicators. To top it all off, the GP edition is available in a red and white colour combo with a yellow number sticker on the rear seat cowl. It also comes with red wheels as standard. Then there is a stealthier black and grey colour scheme as well.
Underneath the ‘80s styling, the Yamaha XSR900 GP comes with the same 889cc engine in the 2023 XSR900 that replaced the 846cc unit. This engine churns out 117.3bhp. Even the suspension and braking duties are the same as the XSR900. So, it rides on KYB suspension and Brembo brakes at both ends.
While the XSR900 GP will make it to international markets soon, it is unlikely to be launched in India anytime soon. That said, the Japanese manufacturer is instead expected to launch the MT-09 in the country by 2023.
