Yamaha XSR 900 GP in Review: Retro Sports on the Racetrack

Even in its standard form, it’s a real eye-catcher. A credible styling reminiscent of the 500cc GP machines from around the 1990s meets the most modern components. But as the Austrians say, there's always room for a little more! So, a few fine pieces from the accessories were directly bolted onto the XSR.

Without two essential components, I couldn't even think about the first ride or a photo shoot. The lower fairing for a continuous racing style and the high-mounted Akrapovic exhaust system complete the splendid neo-retro look. Very important! A compact license plate holder from Highsider along with discreet LED indicators ensure a clean appearance. A visual delight, especially at the rear, where the stylish Highsider Apollo Classic LED indicators also take over the taillight function, making the back part of the bike appear even slimmer and tidier.

For the test on the racetrack, a set of fresh Bridgestone V02 Slicks was fitted, and the fully adjustable KYB suspension was dialed a few clicks towards firmer damping. With this preparation, nothing stood in the way of the high-performance proceedings. From the outset, the XSR 900 GP impresses with its immense stability. It's a sensation you might not necessarily expect from a retro sports bike built on the basis of an agile naked bike. Already when entering the first two right-hand corners at the Hungarian Pannonia Ring, the XSR GP immediately inspires confidence. Particularly the precision in fast bends, along with the wonderfully neutral, almost effortless steering behavior, allows me to scorch surprisingly fast lap times into the asphalt right from the start on the racetrack.

What truly surprised me positively is the balance between sportiness and comfort that the XSR900 GP offers. Whether in intense use on the race track or, a few days earlier, during extended tours on country roads - the seating position always seems appropriate. No question, the arrangement on the retro racer is sporty. Yet, the ergonomics prove to be a very successful compromise, which also turns out to be absolutely suitable for 500-kilometer day tours. The forward lean of the upper body, created by gripping the two clip-on handlebars, provides an excellent feel for the front end. The comparatively narrow width of the handlebars also contributes to stable handling and allows the rider to introduce less disturbance. Together with the relaxed knee angle, this also means that after a full day on the race track, you can dismount the bike quite relaxed.

One topic that becomes evident on the racetrack is the limited maximum lean angle - the downside of the previously mentioned comfortable seating position. Despite the sporty short pegs, the R-Fighter by Puig, which I had already installed in advance, as well as the higher of two standard mounting options, the footrests still scrape during spirited riding in corners. Especially at the apex of the curve, where the lean angle is most intense and you would like to tighten the line a bit more here and there, you notice the design-related limits of the XSR900 GP. At the rear wheel, there were still about three to four millimeters of unused slick, which also clearly shows on the tire that the possibilities cannot be fully exploited.

This shows that while the XSR900 GP has sporty ambitions, it is essentially designed for use on country roads. On the race track, one must live with its minor limitations, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with the XSR GP on track days! Quite the opposite - with consistent lap times between 2:08 and 2:09, which I achieved during our test at the Pannonia Ring, you are definitely well-positioned in the amateur sports sector.

Another minor weakness of the XSR, which becomes quickly apparent on the race track, is the braking performance. The standard brakes with rubber hoses and relatively small discs are absolutely sufficient for everyday use. However, once you bring the XSR on slicks to the track and brake hard over several laps, the lack of precision at the pressure point becomes evident. The braking system feels spongy and lacks transparency, especially when it comes to really intense deceleration maneuvers.

I've countered the spongy pressure point with HEL Performance steel braided lines. Additionally, thicker Galfer Wave brake discs that can absorb more heat and sporty RST sintered pads from SBS were installed. This setup noticeably improved the brake's performance. The initial bite is also sharper with this setup. I would say it's a worthwhile investment. However, when comparing the braking performance to current superbikes, it clearly lacks some of the performance and precision that one would expect from a serious sport motorcycle.

Another advantage of the XSR 900 GP is its extensive electronic equipment, which also impresses on the race track. In the pre-configured sport mode or a self-assembled custom mode, the bike can be moved precisely and sportily. The traction control on level 1 serves as a good backup. It allows a brief moment that signals to the rider that the grip limit has been reached - after which fine regulation is applied for correction. The electronics thus only intervene in serious cases and do so very gently, without disturbing the flow of riding. A big compliment to Yamaha for this perfectly tuned, lean-angle-dependent regulation, which is already being used here in the middle class. Together with the smoothly working chassis, you can go full throttle out of the corners with full confidence. It's a truly joyful experience to fire the triple of the XSR out of the bends!

The Yamaha XSR 900 GP pleasantly surprised me at the Pannonia Ring. Its precise handling and excellent features make it a very sporty companion that also provides considerable riding pleasure on the race track. However, there are clear limits: the brakes and maximum lean angle are not quite at the level needed for permanent, intensive use on the race track. However, anyone looking for a versatile bike that performs well both on country roads and occasionally on track days will be more than satisfied with the XSR 900 GP!