Source: Bike Bound
Café-Sport: XSR900 C-S Kit from Hóo-Bué…
In 2016, Yamaha introduced the XSR900, which combined the highly-rated CP3 engine of the MT-09 with retro styling. Unlike most retros, however, the XSR didn’t hark back to the 60s and 70s, but to the heady liquid-cooled RD two-strokes of the early 1980s — storied smokers like the RDLC, YPVS, and RZ350. The XSR could back up its curb appeal, too:
“Look past the retro appeal, take away those well-judged looks, and you still have a fantastic road bike with a brilliant engine. There’s more than enough power and torque for the road, backed up by excellent rider aids and chassis.” –MCN
For 2022, the CP3 inline triple got punched out to 890cc, putting down 117 bhp and 69 lb-ft of torque, and the bike’s new aluminum chassis is said to be 5 lbs lighter and 50% stiffer than the old one. It’s good to see a factory naked bike that doesn’t look like a Transformer or origami insect, as so many new bikes seem to look these days.
However, the liquid-cooled four-stroke engines of today just don’t look as good naked as the fins and chambers of yore, and to some eyes, the XSR looks a bit too scantily clad in stock trim — especially the ’22+ model, which has a longer tank and wheelbase than the previous version. All of which begs the question: What if the XSR had a fairing, for both style and a bit of wind protection?
Taiwanese industrial designer Jurmol, founder of Hóo-Bué, decided to answer this question. When we last heard from Jurmol, he’d combined his love of conceptual design and vintage flat track motorcycles into his Yamaha XSR700 “Tyrant” — a project he developed into a full Tyrant kit.
“Tyrant” Yamaha XSR700 by Hoo-Bue
Now he’s back with a vision for the 700’s big brother:
“Upon the release of the latest model of the XSR900 in 2022, my immediate impression was that this bike needed a fairing and seat cover. Consequently, the silhouette of the XSR900 C-S began to take shape in my mind, so the project started.”
At first, we assumed that C-S stood for “Café Sport,” but Jurmol says C-S is actually an abbreviation for “Cross-Scene,” or the interweaving of new and old lines into the design. The XSR900 kit certainly does that, transforming the whole look of the bike from a naked retro into a lightly-faired machine that recalls both café and sport styles…and looks close to something Yamaha designers might dream up themselves.
We’ve always thought the OEM headlight looked a bit small on the XSR900, especially on the 2022+ machines, but the C-S fairing houses if perfectly, giving a nacelle-like streamlining to the front of the bike.
The full kit consists of a front fairing, solo seat cover with speed-block graphics set, and an aluminum triple tree cover. You can buy everything as a single kit or separately. Details here on the Hóo-Bué website.
We’re happy to see designers like Hóo-Bué taking today’s production machines and translating them into new visions for the rest of us. Seeing a kitted-out XSR900 C-S on the road, we’d not only do a double-take, but whip around to find out what exactly the bike was. A one-off custom? A limited-edition factory special? In talking to the owner, we’d no doubt make a new friend, and that’s a big part of what custom culture is about.
Below, we talk to Jurmol for a few more details about the XSR900 C-S kit.
Yamaha XSR900 C-S Kit: Designer Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
2022 Yamaha XSR900.
• Why was this bike built?
Upon the release of the latest model of the XSR900 in 2022, my immediate impression was that this bike needed a fairing and seat cover. Consequently, the silhouette of the XSR900 C-S began to take shape in my mind, so the project started.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Utilizing the foundation of the 2022 model XSR900, the XSR900 C-S seamlessly blends retro racing contours with modern racing elements.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Utilizing single seat cover / fairing / signal light / triple tree cover.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
XSR900 C-S. It’s the abbreviation for Cross-Scene, which means the interweaving of old and new lines in the design.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride compared to the stock bike?
It feels more like a sport bike.
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