Yamaha’s Retro-Styled XSR900 GP, Arguably Its Coolest Bike, Is Finally Headed to US Shores

Considering the latest treatment honors a legendary American racer, it’s only fitting we will soon get to swing a leg over this beauty.

Yellow Yamaha XSR 900 GP motorcycle with black and white detailing on a road.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 1 hour ago

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Updated 20 minutes ago

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Last fall, my moto-loving colleague Gray Van Dyke waxed ecstatic about Yamaha’s XSR900 GP donning a stunning new hue, ‘Legend Yellow.’

The paint scheme paid tribute to ‘King’ Kenny Roberts, the first American rider to capture a World Championship in the 500cc era, ultimately three-peating from 1978 to 1980.

Yellow and white Yamaha XSR 900 GP motorcycle with gold wheels parked on wet pavement near a building. — Approval from the California Air Resources Board indicates the XSR900 GP is finally coming to America.

This nod to a superstar, who also counts an AMA Grand Slam and multiple Daytona 200 wins among many accolades, was achingly ironic considering the bike was not available in the US.

Thankfully, this injustice is soon to be remedied, as motorcycle.com reports that the California Air Resources Board has issued an executive order certifying the XSR900 GP as a 2027 model.

Yellow Yamaha XSR900 GP motorcycle with black and white accents ridden on a paved road. — The bike has been available to overseas markets since 2024, with the Legend Yellow hue appearing last fall.

National certification from the EPA should be forthcoming, followed by an announcement by Yamaha Motor USA in a matter of weeks.

Assuming all that is expected comes to pass, the XSR900 GP will join its stripped-down sibling, the XSR900, in domestic availability.

Yellow and black Yamaha XSR 900 GP motorcycle with gold wheels on a rear stand outdoors. — The 890cc engine makes 117 horsepower and 68.5 lb-ft of torque, more than enough to blow your hair back.

The GP is particularly compelling thanks to the front fairing and squared seat cowl, which harken back to bikes from what is arguably the golden age of racing, the ’80s and ’90s.

The bike also boasts clip-on bars, a GP-specific TFT display and suspension tweaks that distinguish it from the classic naked street bike.

Yellow Yamaha sport motorcycle with gold wheels ridden on a road by a person in matching yellow and black gear. — Along with the fairing and clip-on bars, the squared seat cowl distinguishes the GP from the naked XSR900.

Both bikes are equally potent under the hood, with an 890cc triple making 117 horsepower and 68.5 lb-ft of torque.

Now that rumbling beast will at last have the sweet retro racer looks to match, stateside.

Availability and pricing

Industry insiders expect the 2026 Yamaha XSR900 GP to roll into US dealerships this fall.

Considering that in the UK, the GP edition costs the equivalent of $269 less than the fairing-free XSR900, and the latter starts at $10,599 in the US, I would not be surprised to see the GP dip under $10,500.

Yellow and white Yamaha XSR 900 GP motorcycle with black and gold accents on a white background.

2026 Yamaha XSR900 GP

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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