FEATURE – Yamaha XSR900 Abarth
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Yamaha
RETRO REVIEW – this article originally appeared in JUST BIKES No. 335 – February, 2017
Have you ever tried some bolognaise sauce on your sushi, or maybe some wasabi on your lasagne? We’re sure someone must have tried this, but based on those examples, Italian-Asian fusion doesn’t sound all that appetising!
While questionable in the culinary sense, a blend of the best of Italy and Japan in mechanical terms can produce something far tastier, as evidenced by the Yamaha ‘XSR900 Abarth’; a limited-edition special that was unveiled at the 2016 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
While based heavily on the XSR900 production model that reached the Australian market in the same year, the Abarth collaboration resulted in a distinctly different and very attractive machine.
First Fusion
The XSR900 Abarth marks the first collaboration model from the Japanese motorcycle brand and the Italian tuning house better known for an association with Fiat that stretches back to the 1950s.
An Abarth-Yamaha connection was established a few years back when Fiat sponsored Yamaha’s MotoGP team. Fiat may be gone from the side of the YZR-M1, but Abarth remain as one of the official sponsors.
While quintessentially Italian, Abarth was actually founded by an Austrian, Karl Abarth, in 1949. High-performance versions of the Fiat 600 and Nuova 500 made Abarth’s name famous and eventually led to the tuning specialist being incorporated into the Fiat empire in 1971.
In 2007, after decades producing hot Fiats and running the carmaker’s racing programs, Abarth was re-established as an independent subsidiary of Fiat (now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).
Fiat-based Abarth performance vehicles recently available in Australia have included include the Fiat 500-based Abarth 595 (and its various derivatives) and 695, as well as the Abarth 124 Spider.
In a nod to the Abarth 695 road and race car, only 695 examples of the XSR900 Abarth will be produced, exclusively for European markets. Obviously, that build total takes its name from the Abarth 695 car.
Special Blend
Yamaha describe the XSR900 Abarth as their first Sport Heritage café racer special; the ‘Sport Heritage’ tag referring to the retro-styled XSR900 and XSR700.
Here in Australia, the XSR900 and 700, along with the Bolt C-Spec were previously collected under the ‘Hipstar’ tag (a bit of a cringeworthy label), but are now classed as ‘Sport Heritage’ models, too. In terms of the frame and mechanicals, the standard XSR900 is a clone of the MT-09, but takes that grunty 847cc triple-cylinder engine and wraps it in a suit inspired by the original Yamaha XS1. The LAMS-legal XSR700 does the same, using the MT-07’s 655cc parallel twin as a base.
That blend of modern running gear and classic looks has been a key differentiator for the XSR900 since its launch.
Making the Sport Heritage range suitable for customisation, Yamaha offered an extensive range of factory accessories from launch, too, so owners could individualise their machines. Yamaha also gave examples to established builders, like Shinya Kimura and Roland Sands, to work their magic on.
Taking that custom mantra and offering it in a factory-backed model is a totally new step, though.
The Café Look
In a segment where style is key, the appearance of the XSR900 Abarth needs to be spot on. A look at the images of the finished bike show that Yamaha have nailed it style-wise, so shifting the 695 units they’ve committed to build shouldn’t be a problem.
Defining the limited edition are carbon fibre bodywork additions at both ends. The headlight fairing, incorporating the front indicators and a small windscreen, has been inspired by 1960s specials, according to Yamaha.
At the rear, the attractively-styled tail section turns the normally two-up XSR900 into a solo ride, with the tail light incorporated into the seat cowl and a subtle bum-stop added. Under this, a lightweight “sports” licence plate holder has been added, too.
Both front and rear bodywork units, along with the front mudguard, are made from carbon fibre, with the seat cowl and front guard graced with Abarth’s ‘scorpion’ logo. Further Abarth identification comes in the form of Abarth script incorporated into the speedblock graphics on the removable fuel tank panels. The tank itself is finished in what Yamaha calls Abarth Grey and Red.
The seat on the limited-edition is unique, too, trimmed in suede with contrasting red stitching.
Bars, Pipes and Badges
A café racer wouldn’t be a café racer without clip-ons, so the XSR900 Abarth honours this tradition – at least in spirit. The handlebar on the XSR900 Abarth is still a one-piece unit, but carries a deep, distinctive bend designed to mimic the clip-on position.
Atop this are shorter mirrors to keep the overall height low and not interfere with that cool front fairing.
Rear sets aren’t a part of the XSR900 Abarth specification, so riding position will be somewhere between upright and café racer crouch.
While the engine internals are unaltered, the Abarth limited-edition adds an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system with dual slip-on mufflers that Yamaha says delivers a gutsier sound and increases power over the XSR900’s standard 84.6kW, although no actual figures are provided.
Finally, a numbered plaque on the offside near the headstem identifies the limited-edition status of each XSR900 Abarth.
Euro Only
Limited to the European market, the first 95 XSR900 Abarth units were made available through an online registration process, with the early bird buyers also receiving an exclusive Abarth VIP experience.
Following this, the remaining 600 units were offered through European and UK Yamaha dealerships.
While the XSR900 Abarth is a limited-edition special, don’t be surprised if some of its features, like the fairing and seat cowl, find their way into the accessories catalogue for the regular XSR900.
With these parts (offered in more affordable plastic or fibreglass), along with the seat and Akrapovic exhaust that are already in the Yamaha XSR900 accessories catalogue, mocking up an Abarth replica would certainly be possible in the hands of a competent custom builder.
