NEW BIKE
Yamaha finally reveal the new R9 – a road-focused three-cylinder sportsbike with R1 genes
PICS: YAMAHA
This R9 is Yamaha’s new flagship sportsbike – and it’s a promising combination of R1 suspension and electronics, XSR900 three-cylinder power, a new super-light frame, and a £12,295 price tag.
Clearly the R9 is massively down on power compared to the outgoing R1, which is a track-only model from next year. The R9 makes 115bhp (R1: 192bhp), but that’s the point – Yamaha want the R9 to follow in the R7’s footsteps of being a sportsbike for real road riders. Consequently, the engine is unchanged from the XSR900 and Tracer 9 – no bad thing as the 890cc triple has masses of front-lifting torque and a hilarious top end.
Not as aggressive as the R1, but hardly a fireside recliner
The aluminium Deltabox-style frame, however, is all new. Yamaha say it’s stiffer in every direction compared to the XSR900, yet has enough machined holes to give the flex required for feedback and comfort. And at 9.7kg, it’s the lightest ever Yamaha sportsbike frame.
The electronics are pinched wholesale from the R1, which means you get an advanced array of rider aids including a slide control system that lets you dial in the amount you want the rear to drift out of corners, plus all the usual modes (including four just for the track) and traction, wheelie, and rear lift controls. You can set them all up from your phone and use a different Yamaha app to monitor your on-track performance – effectively a race datalogger for trackday riders. Oh, and there’s cruise control.
Weighs the same as a Dachshund –and far less bendy
Yamaha say the riding position is sporty without ‘too much of an aggressive forward lean’ and that the clip-ons are ‘sportier than those found on the R7, but more relaxed than those on the R6 Race’. Given the R7’s riding position is one of the most aggressive of the middleweight sportsbikes, it sounds like the R9 is properly sporty. Whether that’s a good or bad thing will depend on your joint health. Being a new bike, the R9 must have wings, which Yamaha say increase weight on the front by seven per cent (they don’t say when – presumably close to the 140mph-ish top speed). More useful are the refinements made to the R9’s fairing in the wind tunnel. These reduce drag so much that Yamaha claim the R9 is aerodynamically more efficient than the R6, despite having a larger frontal surface area. Good news for motorway mpg.
Suspension-wise, the R9 borrows heavily from the R1, with the 43mm KYB forks and rear shock being similar to those on the 2025 R1 track bike. Brakes are Brembo Stylema monoblocs, and there’s a Brembo radial master cylinder, too.
The R9’s £12,295 price tag is lower than initial rumours and looks great value compared to the £12,506 XSR900 GP (sexy, but without the R1 electronics or suspension). But there again, it’s more expensive than the more powerful Triumph Street Triple RS (£11,295) and Honda CBR600RR (£10,449). Still proper tempting though…
Wanna log your lap times? There’s an app for that
RIDING POSITION
Yamaha say it’s somewhere between the R7 (sporty end of comfortable) and R6 (uncomfortable end of uncomfortable). We’ll see...
ELECTRONICS
It gets the whole R1 package: think of an electronic rider aid and the R9 has it.
CHASSIS
Yamaha’s lightest ever road bike Deltabox frame weighs just 9.7kg and helps keep the overall wet weight of the R9 to 195kg.
SUSPENSION
KYB forks and shock developed alongside the 2025 track-only R1 and R6. Each fork leg now has abase valve to limit oil flowing into the bottom of the fork. This is better, apparently.
ENGINE
Unchanged from the XSR900 and Tracer 9: 890cc three-cylinder making 117bhp at 10,000rpm and 69 lb.ft at 7000rpm.
TYRES
Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport RS11s are fitted as standard.