Air-cooled sport-tourer extinction
Euro 3, 2003-08
Air-cooled inline-four sport-tourers were extinguished by Euro 3 emissions: Yamaha XJ900 (gone 2003), Suzuki Bandit 1200 (air-cooled gone 2007), Honda CB1100 hung on with redesign until 2020. The FJR1300 was the first liquid-cooled Yamaha sport-tourer (2001) that took the role.
Why riders loved XJ900
Cheapest big-bike
XJ900 launched at £4,599 in 1996 — cheaper than any other 800cc+ sport-tourer in the UK. The 'first big bike' for many riders, comfortable for distance, simple maintenance, parts plentiful, low insurance. Yamaha kept it cheap by using older FZ900 engine architecture.
Real cost trajectory
+41% real (vs Tracer 9 GT)
£4,599 XJ900 in 1996 (£9,200 today) → £13,000 Tracer 9 GT in 2026. Significant real-terms increase. Modern Tracer has cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes, electronic suspension on GT+. Used market in 2026: XJ900 £1.2-2.5k for clean low-mile — bargain of the year.
ライダーエイド数
0
XJ900 had nothing — analogue dials, carb-fed, no electronics. Pure 1990s budget motorcycling.
最安の入口
£1.2k
A clean XJ900 Diversion from 1995-2000. 89bhp air-cooled inline-four, half-fairing, panniers fittable, comfortable upright ergos, plentiful parts. Pay attention to carb sync, reg/rec, fork seals. The cheapest 90bhp sport-tourer on the UK used market.
