Yamaha XSR900 Abarth 2019 — Specifications

It’s those moments when a flash in your eye projects a vision. "...install a pair of handlebar risers, a single-seat saddle, a fork from a XJR 1300 Racer, a more sporty exhaust, Öhlins suspension, and you’d have a superb café racer..."

It seems that someone in Yamaha’s communications team had heard this suggestion. Because this XSR 900 Abarth special series takes exactly these stylistic codes; with the exception of the Öhlins suspension. Thus adorned, the roadster transforms into a true café racer, brimming with style. The front end is menacing, as it should be for street and avenue racing, with its inverted fork and radial brake calipers; like all machines based on an MT-09. The Abarth series is even more aggressive, with its inverted handlebars, mimicking demi-handlebars, leading to a very sporty riding position. And what a threat with its carbon fork borrowed from the discontinued XJR 1300 Racer.

Special series often mean a unique color scheme. This is also the case for the XSR 900 Abarth, finished in gray marked with red stripes. Three scorpions, the house emblem, roam the motorcycle, marking the tank, the front fender, and the seat cowl. These last two elements, like the micro-fairing, are made of carbon fiber. A way to emphasize both the sporty and modern character of the machine. To fulfill its destiny, the large XSR breathes through a titanium Akrapovic exhaust, finished with a double Slip-on silencer. Sounds, style, and performance will accompany the Slovenian breath. For the seat, a specific suede saddle with red stitching validates the premium character. Behind, the license plate holder is minimized to blend into the spirit; as often, it will be more at home in the trash than spoiling the rear end. An aluminum numbered plate authenticates this series by being placed on the right-hand side of the frame; wouldn’t it have been better to fix it on the tank or handlebars?!?

Yamaha is no stranger to collaborations with the Italian tuner. In 2009, an Abarth Assetto Corse creation based on the FZ1 was born to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its creator Karl (Carlo) Alberto Abarth. This special edition was supposed to lead to a limited production run of which no bolts were ever seen; unlike this XSR 900 Abarth, which will be produced in 695 units. According to a two-stage distribution model: like the R1-M, Yamaha is implementing an online registration system (here: www.xsr900-abarth.eu) where the first 95 buyers were invited to participate in an exclusive Abarth VIP experience. Once this quota is validated, the remaining 600 XSR 900 Abarths are available through the classic dealer network.

Why 695 units? Because, in parallel with this special series, Abarth is unveiling a concept car featuring the same graphic codes as this Yam roadster: the 695 Tributo XSR. This show car commemorates the legendary 695 from 1964, the most accomplished model of the Fiat 500 lineage transformed by the Abarth house.

Apart from the Yard Built creations, Yamaha has so far only offered pure sports bikes, ready to break free into the Supersport and Superbike categories. Here’s a machine that blends into the current trend, ready to provoke brawls and blown crankshafts with the BMW NineT Racer, Triumph Thruxton R, Honda CB 1100 R and Ducati 800 Scrambler Cafe-Racer. The fury and character of the CP3 engine need no introduction. Full, playful, and powerful, the Yamaha three-cylinder benefits from a recent update to its injection mappings and the addition of traction control to be smoother. Its perimeter aluminum frame has more rigid suspension than the MT-09. But for this more refined version, a Ducati-style damper would be more adequate. Let’s finish complaining about the heresy of having lowered the handlebars rather than offering them real handlebar risers. Let’s bet that this limited edition XSR 900 Abarth calls for other achievements; the Fast Sons will be eager to take advantage of the trend.

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