Haxch Moto's XZR900 Thunderbolt is a Glorious Love Letter to the '90s
Based on the beautiful Yamaha XSR900, the custom XZR900 Thunderbolt will be on display at the Bike Shed Moto Show this weekend
Yamaha is adding another bike to its Yard Built legacy this week, and the '90s are back in a big way, thanks to Haxch Moto and its stunning XZR900 Thunderbolt.
Based on the already retro-themed Yamaha XSR900, this Yard Built project takes the Sport Heritage platform and injects it with a hearty dose of 90s superbike DNA. Think YZF750. Think TZR250. Think “Rainey vs Schwantz on a Sunday afternoon.” Now imagine all of that crammed into a modern triple with a fresh dyno map and a hand-rolled fairing—and you’re halfway there.
You may also like to read our 2024 Yamaha XSR900 road and track review.
The Thunderbolt is Haxch Moto’s tribute to the ‘90s, which in itself is based on a bike that’s already a tribute to the golden era - but I digress… This isn’t just a styling exercise, as chassis has had the full track treatment, meaning rear ride height’s up by 40mm thanks to a billet linkage, while rake and trail have been tightened for quicker steering. Bolted at both ends of the frame is suspension from Maxton, while Dymag rims help to slash unsprung weight. The braking system is taken care of by the specialists at HEL Performance, and the whole package screams that it’s so much more than just a pretty gem never to be ridden.
The CP3 triple has been breathed on by Seton Tuning, with a revised map and dyno set-up helping to squeeze an extra 10 per cent of everything out of the engine. The result is more torque, more top-end shove, and a sharper throttle response that should make this thing feel every bit the racer it's styled after.
But let’s talk about that styling. Because frankly, it’s stunning.
The bodywork is all hand-formed aluminium, shaped the old-school way using traditional metalworking techniques, including the English wheel. The fairing, tank, and tail unit are bespoke and sculpted in-house, and look like they’ve fallen straight out of a 1995 BSB paddock. The paintwork is pure 90s too, lurid, loud, and completely unapologetic.
And this isn’t just a one-off show pony either. Haxch Moto is putting the XZR900 Thunderbolt into limited production, with each bike built to order and spec’d to the buyer’s preferences. A road-legal version is already in development, complete with discreet lighting, indicators, and a tail tidy. So if you fancy turning heads at your local bike night, or just reliving your teenage dreams in modern comfort, this might be your ticket.
“I wanted to channel the soul of the '90s race era but deliver it with modern performance and craftsmanship, with factory build quality,” says Marc Bell, founder of Haxch Moto.
Orders are open now. Head to haxchmoto.com or follow them on Instagram (@haxchmoto) for updates, behind-the-scenes snaps, and more of that sweet, sweet retro race-bike energy.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
