2022 Yamaha XSR900 First Look Preview

Yamaha gives its flagship sport heritage naked bike, the XSR900, a full update for the 2022 model year, with revisions touching nearly every major aspect of the bike. The updated retro sport will be available in European dealerships starting in February 2022, but as yet there is no word on when the street bike will be available to North American customers.

Editor’s note: We reviewed the XSR900′s sister model, the ‘21 MT-09 during the Yamaha Builds A Better Triumph - 2021 MT-09 Review and 2021 Yamaha MT-09 MC Commute Review articles and videos.

To start, the crossplane-triple engine is updated, growing to 889cc thanks to a 3mm increase in stroke. The mill also gets lighter pistons and a 6 percent increase in torque, bringing it to 68.5 pound-feet of pull available at 7,000 rpm, 1,500 rpm earlier in the rev range than the peak of the previous engine. The transmission has improved with better assist and slip functionality and a revised gearbox with higher ratios. The exhaust is new as well, with different-length headers, a revised muffler chamber, and dual-sided outlets.

The new powerplant sits inside a fresh Deltabox aluminum frame, crafted to improve rigidity along all planes for better straight-line stability. That stability is enhanced thanks to a longer box-section swingarm, repositioned swingarm pivot, and updated subframe. The new frame also accommodates a lower headpipe that allows the handlebars to sit lower than the previous model. These updates paired with weight-saving measures implemented in the die-casting phase of construction result in improved cornering agility as well.

Yamaha is keen to note that the Deltabox chassis harkens back to improvements implemented in its racebikes and road bikes in the 1980s as a way of emphasizing the XSR900′s relationship with Yamaha’s past.

The ties to Yamaha’s racing machines from the ‘80s continues in the look of the 3.9-gallon fuel tank, vented body panels, design of the air intakes, and lower silhouette provided by the new subframe and updated seat.

The XSR900 rolls on new aluminum, 10-spoke, spin-forged wheels that contribute to a reduction in overall weight. Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable KYB kit, front and rear.

The bike also gets a fresh Brembo radial master cylinder at the front, full LED lighting throughout, and a suite of up-to-date electronics thanks to a new six-axis IMU. Information from the IMU provides data to systems including lean sensitive traction control, slide control, and wheelie control. The bike also packs a quickshifter, cruise control, ride modes, ride-by-wire, and a 3.5-inch, full-color TFT dash.

Colorways will include a Legend Blue, cyan, and yellow with gold fork and wheels and a Midnight Black with red highlights, black fork, and black controls.