In celebration of a racing legend, on 11th July, Yamaha Motor Europe has presented a unique custom-built XSR900 GP model to 3-time 500cc World Champion, Wayne Rainey in close collaboration with Yamaha Motor US.
The occasion marked Rainey’s third time riding Yamaha machinery since his race career-ending accident in 1993. During that time, the racing legend has remained loyal to the Japanese manufacturer, riding nothing but Yamaha since the time of his accident.
Following the European debut of the XSR900 GP, which featured and celebrated Wayne Rainey in the launch video, Wayne was set to receive one of the first models produced. However, he and the Yamaha Motor Europe team continued to dream, contemplating how to enable Wayne to ride the motorcycle designed in the likeness of the ones he raced in the past.
Enjoy everything More Bikes by reading the MoreBikes monthly newspaper. Click here to subscribe, or Read FREE Online.
Crafted with the heartfelt goal of assisting him on his journey back onto two wheels, a custom tribute has been assembled to celebrate Yamaha’s deep and historic bond with the former Grand Prix rider and current MotoAmerica President.
Blending performance with ease of use, the one-of-a-kind purpose-built XSR900 GP model features Yamaha’s all-new and innovative Y-AMT (Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission) technology, meticulously crafted by a team of engineers and designers at Yamaha Motor Europe to ensure a comfortable and confident ride. Besides the application of Y-AMT, the XSR900 GP has also been fitted with several adaptations, serving to support Rainey with a steady planted seating position.
The world-renowned XSR900 GP, inspired by Rainey’s championship-winning machines, has been modified with a black Deltabox-style frame to offer an aggressive and stealth-like aesthetic, with black wheels also added to reinforce a sleek and purposeful look, mimicking in full the aesthetics of Rainey’s trusted YZR500.
The model was officially presented to Rainey during a circuit-organised honorary event at Laguna Seca Raceway on 11–13 July; the weekend that has played host to Round 5 of the 2025 MotoAmerica championship.
A parade lap, led by the 3-time World Champion aboard the XSR900 GP and in conjunction with several riders, legends and the California Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officers, has taken place during this weekend, making for a memorable showcase of Yamaha machinery and technology.
The parade lap has marked Rainey’s first return to the historic Laguna Seca Raceway since the 1991 US Grand Prix, where he secured pole position, dominating the race, and secured victory by 6.9 seconds in front of a passionate home crowd.
A great feeling of nostalgia flooded the circuit as the racing legend returned to the asphalt yet again, at one of the most recognised circuits in not just America, but the world.
Rainey’s last public appearance on two wheels took place in 2022 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Yamaha Motor modified his 1992 title-winning YZR500, relocating the rear brake and gear shifter to the handlebars to accommodate his individual riding needs.
With another memorable return to two wheels in 2025, the racing world and Laguna Seca crowds awaited with anticipation, eager to get another glimpse of the former 500cc rider in the saddle and back in the place that saw him lay the foundations of a generation-defining reputation.
