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About XSR

The Yamaha XSR family answers a question many riders ask: why can't modern bikes look as good as old ones? Built under Yamaha's Faster Sons design philosophy, the XSRs wrap modern engines and electronics in styling inspired by Yamaha's classics, with round headlights, sculpted tanks and enough room for owners to customize. The XSR700 and XSR900 used the engines of the MT naked bikes, giving them performance to match the looks.

The family has since expanded at both ends. The XSR900 GP pays homage to the race bikes and fairings of the 1980s, wearing paint and bodywork that recall Yamaha's grand-prix glory. At the other end, the XSR 155 brought neo-retro styling to Asia's smaller-displacement markets, built on the same platform as the R15 and MT-15, and it has since arrived in India, where special colors and editions have followed. Customizers have embraced the platform, and Yamaha has happily encouraged them.

The XSR competes with a crowded field of retro bikes: Royal Enfield's Hunter 350 and its 650 twins, Triumph's 400cc singles and Bonnevilles, Kawasaki's Z900RS, Honda's CB lineup and Husqvarna's Vitpilen. The small XSR 155 is particularly interesting for India, proving that retro style does not require a big engine. Coverage here includes XSR launches, colors and editions, road tests, comparisons with rivals and custom builds. Its appeal lies in proportion and detail rather than horsepower.