2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle Review Specs Price

The 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle is a multi-period synthesizer. It’s as if an endurance racer from the 1980s was taken from Boll D.R. Paddock, who was released in a French prison, only to be reacquired in the 1990s by a punk kid who took over his bodywork. ) and turned it into a Street Fighter. In the 2020s, Hacker sold the car to a brilliant hacker who removed its carbs and installed the latest superbike-derived electronics.

Yamaha has taken the opposite approach to increasing the bike’s appeal, with some manufacturers believing that nostalgic customers would prefer a closer resemblance to the analog experience and, therefore, fewer riders on their retro-styled bikes. Just as Yamaha hopes that the XSR will appeal to a wide range of riders beyond the aggressive styling of the MT-09, which forms its basis, it also hopes to appeal to younger riders who have passed on. Style-conscious and nostalgic for the times. Also, some older riders love the old style but must be more comfortable with carb jet tweaking.

The updated 2023 XSR shares many components, including the engine, electronics, and mainframe, with the most recent MT-09. However, it is distinguished by a larger swingarm, a redesigned subframe, and a few other changes. The XSR900 is a sleek, retro-leaning vehicle with an exciting three-cylinder cross-plane engine, a dynamic handling chassis, and many electronics. At $10,199, it offers excellent value.

2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle – Features and Specs

Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance

As part of the 2022 model update, Yamaha adopted the same 78.0mm bore but a 3mm longer stroke, upping the displacement of its CP3 cross-plane inline triple from 849cc to 890cc, measuring 62.1mm. The revised XSR produced 63.5 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm and 106 horsepower at 10,000 rpm on Dynojet 250i dynamometer.

Although the performance gains are small, Yamaha put significant effort into achieving them. Yamaha was able to maintain the exact external dimensions of the engine by using titanium fracture-split connecting rods that are 1.5 mm shorter and improving crankshaft throw. This 6 percent increase in crankshaft inertia was achieved. Pins attach the forged pistons on the concave top to the short con rod. A larger cam chain with a hydraulic tensioner, which replaced the old mechanical spring unit, was necessary for the more aggressive camshaft profiles. Finally, more efficient fuel burning in narrower and more compact combustion chambers increases torque.

Performance is increased by producing a more aggressive intake note using an airbox with three tuned intake snorkels. New injector angles on the latest throttle bodies spray fuel directly onto the intake valve, improving fuel atomization and combustion efficiency. The intake port volume was also reduced by fifteen percent to allow more complete cylinder filling and more stable combustion.

We’ll take it without needing or complaining about much power from Yamaha’s CP3 engine. The rider is rewarded with lively acceleration and an excellent buzzing sound from the cross-plane crank engine when they open the throttle, complemented by a devilish scream from the newly designed intakes.

However, the change could be more surprising and easily understood. Power is cut briefly during shifts, so the underslung muffler, which weighs three pounds less, pops when you lift your finger on the two-way quick shifter and grab second gear. Everything feels and looks fantastic. The harsh throttle response that afflicts all CP3-powered models has been significantly reduced, and power delivery has been smoothed thanks to 3% higher gear ratios. It is one of the most significant upgrades to the current model.

Chassis/Handling

The 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle inherits the cast alloy delta box frame from the MT-09 and the new engine. The wall thickness on the Delta box varies to help achieve the ideal balance between weight, flexibility, and stiffness. Additionally, it uses the same curved wheels initially introduced on the MT-09, improving handling and performance by reducing rotational and unsprung mass. The motorcycle has a curb weight of 428 pounds, less than its predecessor.

However, the chassis is different from that of the MT-09. Yamaha has increased the XSR900’s wheelbase from 56.7 inches to 58.9 inches and overall length from 81.7 inches to 84.8 inches, adding a significantly longer swingarm. A subframe built exclusively for the XSR900 sits atop a redesigned swingarm. To improve front-end sensation, the steering head has been lowered by 30mm in 2022.

These modifications, along with a fork that was 39mm shorter, radically changed the way the 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle was handled. It is now less prone to diving and wheeling, more stable, and less stressful. As a result, the personality of the XSR900 changes. It used to be more fun than it was. Wheelies are now a conscious choice rather than a common accident, thanks to the larger swingarm and lower head tube, which keep the front tire closer to the floor during hard acceleration.

Still, there are some issues with the chassis and suspension. The XSR shock does not have compression damping adjustment. However, the fork can be adjusted for preload, compression, and rebound. Bigger bumps blow the rear travel through compression damping, which is an area to strengthen. And sooner than you’d expect, you start scraping the footpeg feelers when it’s mid-corner. The speed of rebound is then a little too quick. It makes you less aggressive, yet the bike is not unstable.

Brakes

The 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle has two 298mm rotors and two four-piston calipers. At the rear, it has a 245mm disc and a single-piston caliper. Conventional cornering ABS comes in two flavors: BC-1, which uses traditional ABS and does not use IMU data, and BC-2, which increases sensitivity and modulation when the bike leans.

According to our tests, ABS intervention thresholds are low, and even if you turn off the system, the front lever pressure remains constant with very little input. You can only briefly lock the rear tire when the lever drops and the ABS takes over, as the rear ABS is slightly less sophisticated. Adding a radial Brembo master cylinder is excellent.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

In testing, the 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle averaged 45.8 mpg.

Ergonomics: Comfort and Utility

The 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle features the standard yet sporty Ergos. Moving the bracket to the top mounting holes allows the footpegs to be adjusted 14mm up and 4mm back, giving the rider a more athletic lean without feeling cramped. One of the few complaints is the small, hard seat with a sharp back. After an hour in the saddle, it becomes apparent that the saddle is stiff and tight, requiring stretching or a pause.

It’s excellent that cruise control is now included as standard, and I hope more manufacturers do the same. Additional features and convenience include:

• LED illumination.
• An up/down quick shifter.
• A compact yet functional 3.5-inch TFT dash.

Electronics

Using the IMU derived from the YZF-R1, the XSR900 offers access to an incredibly comprehensive electronic rider assistance package. It consists of a Lift Control System (LIF), Brake Control (BC), Slide Control System (SCS), and Traction Control System (TCS) from Yamaha. Each can be completely disabled or adjusted for varying degrees of intervention, depending on rider preference. Also, four riding modes are available, each with a different throttle sharpness.

When the traction control is on, it’s barely noticeable, and the bike moves forward or around a turn without any movement. Although the TCS-2 has three levels, it is still smooth but more powerful. The bike is more fun when the lift is off, but the lift control mechanism gets the tire back to the floor gently and carefully. For a motorcycle in this class, the 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle’s electronics package is overall impressive.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The 2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle has a one-year limited factory warranty.

Quality

Yamaha’s extensive dealer network and reliability should contribute to a positive ownership experience. A forged brake pedal and machined headlamp supports are just two of the many attractive finishing details on the XSR900 that add to its pride of ownership.

2023 Yamaha XSR900 Sports Heritage Motorcycle – Technical Specifications

Engine

Suspension, Brakes and Tires

Dimension