Yamaha XSR900

I test rode one of these a few weeks ago. I've been riding for 30 years and I've ridden pretty much every kind of bike, but these days comfort comes high on my list of wants. I'm not interested in sports bikes or cruisers but beyond that pretty much anything goes. So I got interested in the Yamaha XSR900 because it ticks the boxes for me. Now to be honest I've never been a fan of the styling. Indeed, the first time I saw one I thought it was possibly the ugliest motorcycle I'd ever seen. But I figured that you can't see it when you're on it. So a test ride was arranged.

Off the bat let's accept that pretty much all modern bikes within my remit do the fast thing, so I'm more interested in how they do the other stuff: The lane-splitting, the filtering, the slow shit. Because I ride in the real world and I wanna know if I can roll-off the throttle for a red light and then roll-on again when it goes green without doing the herky-jerky. I wanna know if it can pull away cleanly without flat-spots or hesitation. Because for me it doesn't matter how good a bike is elsewhere, if the off/on throttle transition sucks then it's off to Room 101.

So I spent a fair bit of time pissing about in slow moving traffic: I pulled away with the absolute minimum of revs. I ran down to a walking pace and then sped up again. I deliberately selected too high a gear. And the XSR just sucked it up with nary a twitch. This is one seriously refined motor: The fuelling is spot-on and the slipper clutch beautifully light and progressive. Shame the gearbox is typically Yamaha, but then you can't have everything.

Riding position: Good for me. Although, make no bones, this is a tall bike and I'm a tall guy. I liked it but it's a long way down. Short-arses look elsewhere. The seat, I don't like so much: The proverbial thinly padded plank which also liked to slide my nuts into the tank. Numb bum began to set in after 20 minutes. Doesn't help that the suspension is firm, which isn't a criticism per se but it's definitely set up on the sporty side. “Taut” is the word. And, while we're on the subject, handling is very good and the brakes are excellent.

And what about that trendy instrument panel, it's way cool, no? Well, actually no. The speedo's clear, as is the gear indicator. The rev-counter, I could get used to, and the rest is a mess: Tiny figures & symbols laid out haphazardly. A product of form over function. Me no like. Still, I'm sure most people will get used to it in time. Also the XSR900 is afflicted with the same teeny-tiny switchgear that Yamaha fit to most of their current range. I suffered the same set-up for three years on my MT07 and lost count of the number of times I hit the horn at the same time as the indicators. Not recommended.

And onto performance. Well there's a lot of hooey on the web telling you that this is a fast bike and not for the beginner. But in truth it doesn't instantly try to rip your arms off and low down it's a pussycat. Initially, I found myself thinking “Where's the fast bike?” Seriously, my MT07 felt quicker off the line. But spin the XSR beyond 7000rpm and it shows it's other side, the pussycat roars and the world goes into reverse. I read somewhere that the XSR is faster than the original Fireblade and I can well believe it. And the sound of a triple at full chat is like nothing else... And then you slow down and the XSR900 pretends that the whole thing never happened. So yeah it's fast but it’s not likely to catch anyone out. And if you’re really scared, there’s always B mode.

So will I be buying one? Well, no. Because while I'm struggling to say much bad about the XSR900, it's a "Nearly" bike for me: The riding position wasn't as good on the road as it felt in the shop. And while the engine is fantastic, the clunky gearchange, torturous seat and fussy switchgear mar the experience. Overall nice enough bike, just not for me.

Nice review mate......I think most new bikes are fitted with slippery planks as seats these days. I sat on the XSR at the bike show and wasn't too impressed. ....It felt cheap.....but I'm sure it will sell......

excellent review was thinking of testing one just for shits and giggles think its time to get it booked, better than some journo,s write up that

Looks great

http://www.cycleworld.com/sites/cycleworld.com/files/styles/large_1x_/public/images/2016/05/2016-yamaha-xsr900-45088.jpg?itok=Y8LUeVs8

I was convinced I'd get one when I saw the photos. But when I test rode it the seating position was odd. I have an MT07 which I much prefer. I'm yet to try the MT10 but 99% sure it's what I need......oh and want

'fuelling is spot on'

Were you pissed when you rode it?

They are reknown for piss poor fuelling as standard. Snatchy and impossible to be smooth unless in B mode.

Dreadful suspension mis-match, too soft at the front, too hard at the rear.

All easy enough to sort out, but not what you expect when you put £7k on a bike.