Yamaha XSR 900 60eme anniversaire 2016 — Specifications

You can’t improve on a classic, and neither has Yamaha. So, when the company with the tuning fork wanted to dress its fiery MT-09 in vintage attire, it didn’t overcomplicate things: it simply brought back the paintbrushes from the Kenny Roberts era, that iconic yellow striped with black and white that screamed speed on the circuits in the 80s. The result is this XSR 900 60th Anniversary, a machine that doesn’t cut corners. It doesn’t simply slap chrome onto a modern base; it draws on its competitive DNA to offer a neo-retro look with character, and not just in the paint.

Beneath this nostalgic finish beats the wild heart of the 847 cm³ triple, an engine we know well and which remains a benchmark in terms of character. With 115 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and, above all, its generous torque of 87.3 Nm available much earlier, it sets the tone: that of a lively, impulsive motorcycle that responds to the slightest twist of the wrist. Variable mapping and adjustable traction control are there to tame the beast, but they don't change its essence: it's an engine that speaks to you, that vibrates, that pulls with a communicative fervor. Some competitors in retro garb sometimes seem too polished, almost muzzled. Not this one.

The chassis, for its part, is a faithful ally. The die-cast aluminum frame offers rigidity that inspires confidence, while the 41 mm inverted fork and the mono-shock ensure a certain seriousness, even if the latter remains the point where savings were made, a classic at Yamaha on this platform. But where the XSR 900 really scores points is in its overall balance. At 195 kg fully fueled with its 14 liters of gasoline, it doesn't drag. It is agile, ready to change direction with a simple pressure on the handlebars, and the seat height of 815 mm, although raised, remains accessible to most riders. The braking, with its two 298 mm front discs pinched by radial 4-piston calipers, is up to the available power, offering excellent bite and feel.

So, who is this machine for? It clearly targets the demanding touring rider or the sporty urban rider who doesn't want to sacrifice driving pleasure on the altar of aesthetics. It’s a motorcycle for those who, when seeing this yellow, think less of showrooms and more of curves. At €9,999 when it was released, it positioned itself as a charismatic alternative to the Triumph Street Triple or the Ducati Monster, offering something extra: a soul. A drawback? Perhaps this impression that the neo-retro style is sometimes a little too tacked on, with details like the modern mirrors that break the illusion. But it’s a detail. The essential is there: the XSR 900 60th is not a simple commemoration. It's a motorcycle that proves that you can pay homage to the past without ever looking in the rearview mirror.