Yamaha Sport Heritage: Past meets present
Yamaha’s Sport Heritage range is known for combining the nostalgic design of some of the most famous motorcycles in the company’s history with state-of-the-art chassis and engine technology. As such, it pays homage to the racing machines that shaped Yamaha’s past without sacrificing today’s performance.
2023: Yamaha’s racing history reinterpreted
In 2023, Yamaha’s racing history will be celebrated even more clearly. Following the unveiling of the XSR900 RACER accessory and the ’80s Grand Prix-inspired CafeRacersofInstagram Yard Built for Good special earlier this year, the XSR900 DB40 Prototype makes its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The XSR900 DB40 Prototype, which raced up the prestigious Goodwood Hill during the four days of the festival, embodies a fusion of Yamaha’s ennhistory and cutting-edge technology – in keeping with the Sport Heritage mission statement.
Famous riders on the XSR900 DB40 Prototype
Niall Mackenzie, former YZR500 Grand Prix racer who rode for Marlboro Yamaha in 1989 and spent another three years on Yamaha machines in the early 1990s, rode the XSR900 DB40 Prototype on Thursday and Friday. Then on the weekend, selected journalists and VIPs were allowed to pilot the machine over the hills.
The evolution of the XSR900: The XSR900 DB40 Prototype
The XSR900 DB40 Prototype, based on the XSR900 and named to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Deltabox chassis, is powered by the award-winning 890cc “CP3” three-cylinder engine embedded in the latest version of the Deltabox style frame.
In the 1980s, Yamaha revolutionized technological developments in motorcycle design with the introduction of the Deltabox chassis in their Grand Prix racing machines.
The technology soon found its way to street bikes and even after 40 years, the Deltabox chassis design is still at the heart of many Yamaha motorcycles.
The name “Deltabox” is a combination of “Delta”, the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet represented by a triangle, and “box”.
Viewed from the side, the Deltabox has a triangle connecting the steering head to the swingarm bearing, while the cross-section is box-shaped, hence the name. This relationship between the steering head and swingarm bearing provides outstanding stiffness and feedback where the rider needs it most. The cross-molded box section allows for a larger surface area while providing a lighter weight and higher stiffness level.
The XSR900 series honors the past
Yamaha first introduced the Deltabox chassis in their 1982 YZR500 OW61 Grand Prix machine, while the chassis first appeared in a production race bike, the TZR250, three years later. Since then, the Deltabox has become virtually synonymous with Yamaha’s supersport models, including the revolutionary R1, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
The XSR900 DB40 Prototype is the latest model to build on the XSR900 platform and honor Yamaha’s racing identity.
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