By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic vs Naked Bike
Yamaha XSR900 (RN43) vs Triumph Street Triple (L67LR)
Yamaha XSR900 vs Triumph Street Triple: where they split, and which one to buy.
Off a stoplight with the throttle half open, the Yamaha XSR900 is already pulling strong, and it's still begging for revs at the top. The Triumph Street Triple's throttle surges midrange, then roars.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the XSR900 if…
Keeping running costs low
Clear pick: XSR900
The XSR900 suits a tight running budget much better. The savings add up year after year.
The XSR900 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: XSR900
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the XSR900 pulls a nose in front. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
The XSR900 and Street Triple sit in different classes, so value is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
XSR900
A wide bar and neutral geometry let the XSR900 flick through twisty roads and still hold its line at speed. There's a broad spread of torque behind every turn of the throttle. It's happy wrung out. Its intake howl turns every errand into an event.
Nils rode the XSR900 in Styria in 2018 (NastyNils Testride).
Street Triple
On twisty roads, the Street Triple's light aluminum frame sends a steady stream of feedback up through the bars. At 403 lb (183 kg), the bike doesn't fight the bar at corner entry, and its sporty geometry tips it in clean. Mid-corner, it holds still. Near redline, the triple's top end screams.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Street Triple has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 32.7 in (830 mm).
- The Street Triple has the lower wet weight: 403 lb (183 kg) vs 430 lb (195 kg).
- The XSR900 makes more peak power: 115 hp (85 kW) vs 105 hp (78 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Wrong job for both
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
On twisty roads, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
XSR900
What owners say
Strengths
- Addictive CP3 engine character
- Neo-retro styling with premium materials
- Excellent value for money
Trade-offs
- Suspension is budget-oriented and can be harsh
- Indicator switch placement is awkward
- Mirrors offer poor rearward visibility
Street Triple
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful triple engine
- Superb handling and chassis
- Improved reliability over first generation
Known problems to check before you buy
XSR900
- Handlebar holder bolt recall Recall 17V221000 On 2016-2017 models, the lower handlebar holders may not have had sufficient thread-locking agent due to improper painting, allowing bolts to loosen and potentially cause loss of control.
- Cam chain tensioner rattle on cold start The automatic cam chain tensioner on the CP3 triple uses a spring and ratchet plunger with no oil-pressure actuation. Its ratchet can fail to hold the plunger in position and back off. The cam chain then runs slack and slaps its guides, which shows up as a ticking or rattling noise from the cam chain area that is loudest on cold starts. At first it may die down once the engine warms up, but it can get worse until it is constant. If ignored, the slack chain speeds up wear on the chain guides and sliders.
Street Triple
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old XSR900 with a 10-year-old Street Triple.
- XSR900
- about $7,400
- Street Triple
- about $8,000
At ten years old, the Yamaha XSR900 sits around $7,400 while the Triumph Street Triple runs about $8,000. That gap isn't meaningful. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-three
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| XSR900 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 430 lb (195 kg) | 403 lb (183 kg) |
| XSR900 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 847 cc | 675 cc |
| Power | 115 hp (85 kW) | 105 hp (78 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 11,850 rpm |
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 9,750 rpm |
| XSR900 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 4.6 US gal (17.4 L) |
| XSR900 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 298 mm | 310 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| XSR900 | Street Triple | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
