Yamaha celebrated the launch of its retro sports bike at Wheels and Waves 2024, with eight custom versions of the XSR900 GP taking centre stage adorning Grand Prix replica paint and decals.
Yamaha XSR900 GP: Back to the Paddock
Headlining the collection was Yamaha’s own ‘official’ Lucky Strike YZR500-inspired design. The bike that inspired Yamaha’s machine was, of course, the 1987 YZR500 machine used by 13-time 500cc winner Randy Mamola. Proof if it were ever needed that a retro racing paint job can make all ready amazing looking bike seem just a bit more special.
Read exactly why it’s such a great bike in our Yamaha XSR900 GP review.
The entry that won Yamaha UK’s social media campaign though was the striking-looking Eddie Lawson 1993 FZR750R OW-01 replica that took victory in the Daytona 200 of the same year. Amazingly, four-time 500cc World Champion Lawson came out of his brief retirement to ride the Vance and Hines sponsored machine, eventually winning the 52nd running of the event. The Californian only just managed to snatch the win though, beating the 1992 Daytona 200 winner, Scott Russell, on the run to the flag by just .051 of a second.
Aside from the Mamola and Lawson replicas, other entries included a YZR250 1988 Joan Garriga from Spain, a TZ250 1984 Christian Sarron from France, a YZF750 1996 Colin Edwards design from Italy, and World Superbike 1993 Fabrizio Pirovano and a Superbike Worldchampion 2000 Jörg Teuchert-inspired designs, both from Germany.
Aside from the replica paint and decals, each of the machines is also kitted out with an Akrapovic exhaust system and lower fairing section, each of which is available as an aftermarket accessory for the model.
Yamaha’s XSR900 GP will be getting another ‘competitive’ run out, although this time at the Bike Bonanza at Shelsley Walsh, on June 29th. I’ll be upholding Yamaha’s (and Visordown’s) honours in what is thought to be the XSR900 GP’s first competitive outing in a hillclimb event.
