Pick a road, any road…If any other motorcycle manufacturer painted one of its flagship bikes yellow, people would wonder what kind of drugs were being dispensed in the boardroom.
In all likelihood, such a concept would never even make it past the brain-storming session in the design department.
“Hey, Hiroshi, let’s paint the next bike we make yellow!”
“You stoned, Takeshi? I told you not to by any shit from the US army base, dude.”
Only got halfway through the Dunlop tyre graphic. Much shame. But there is a pillion seat under that rear cowl.But when Yamaha decides it’s going to anoint one of its bikes in King Kenny’s legendary Speedblock paint scheme, we stand and applaud.
If you didn’t know, this iconic black-and-yellow paint scheme was created in 1972 by American designer and hot-rod painter, Rollin “Molly” Sanders. Molly was tasked by Yamaha HQ with creating a unique identity for the then still relatively unknown American Yamaha racing team.
The team, for its part, signed Pierre Karsmakers, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, and a bloke called Kenny Roberts, for its assault on the AMA and flat-track racing series’.
There are a very few quickshifters as good, but none are better.In Europe, Yamaha traditionally raced in red-and-white, but it felt something different and instantly recognisable was needed for its new American campaign.
King Kenny did the rest. The King went on to utterly dominate three seasons as the flat -track champion, and secure two Grand National Championships, before heading off to take three MotoGP championships.
As a result, that yellow colour scheme has become the most recognisable speed palette in all of motorcycling.
Works, doesn’t it?And now and again, Yamaha decides one of its bikes is worthy of wearing it. And the XSR800 GP is certainly that.
Yamaha’s three-cylinder MT-09 range has come a long way in its relatively short time on the world stage. That motor-and-chassis package was always destined to become great. Hell, it started as damn good in 2014 and just got better.
Must try harder.For my money, the 2026 XSR 900 in King Kenny colours is the nil plus ultra of the entire MT-09 series. It is certainly the only yellow production bike I would ever gleefully own. I did briefly own a yellow JCW race replica Suzuki 750 Katana – but that only stayed yellow long enough for me to ride it home and rattle-can black it. And yes, I was dumb back then and did things hindsight has shown me to be less than smart.
Another quality Yamaha product.All I would ever do with this one is ride it, polish it, then drink beer and admire it. It is just gorgeous.
Apart from a few minor ECU tweaks, there are no mechanical changes from last year’s iteration. That glorious triple bangs out 119bhp at 10,000rpm and 93Nm at 7000rpm. And while these aren’t R1 numbers, do they really need to be for us mere mortals? I’m thinking no. Don’t get me wrong. I have a boner for R1s. In fact, I love those insane 1000cc superbikes more than Australia loves sugar. They terrify and exalt me in equal measure.
Love the quick-release clips.But the whole race-crouch thing can bugger off. If you’re not on the racetrack, it serves no purpose. And I can go to jail just as quickly and for just as long doing 200 as I can for doing 290.
Hence my devotion for the XSR900 GP. I can punt that just as hard as I could punt an R1 through my favourite twisties…and maybe a bit harder, because it’s just not as feral as the R1. And it is way more comfortable. And I am not Fabulous Quartararo. And neither are you.
If only your girlfriend was this slim, right?What Yamaha is offering is one of the most enjoyable and competent road bikes you’ll ever ride. Its Third-Gen quickshifter is the bomb. Its spinforged wheels, its fully adjustable KYB suspenders, adjustable footpegs, superb TFT screen, and sheer…well, ability to deliver a delighful ride experience, is very hard to match, let alone beat.
Simple and easy-to-access adjustment.What does it do wrong? Nothing. What does it do great? Everything. What do you want me to tell you? Trying to fault it, which is what bike reviewers endeavour to do in a bike review, is beyond me. If you’re reading how it needs more power, or better brakes and suspension, or its TFT display is somehow less than ideal, you’re reading the stylings of an idiot.
The first time you put the XSR900 GP to the question, lace together a whole bunch of corners, and see just how sticky its Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres are, and how confidently it tracks when you’re pushing on, you will know the following:
Love how clever Yamaha is with the placement of tiny but quite reasonable headlight.You don’t need four cylinders and 1000ccs to be Lord of the Universe.
You don’t need to be in a racer’s crouch to be quick.
And maybe, just maybe, you don’t need every bike you ever own to be black.
The King would approve.
