For years, there have been rumors about Yamaha creating a sportbike based on the popular MT-09 platform. With the discontinuation of the YZF-R6, Yamaha’s supersport lineup has had a void to fill. While the YZF-R7 now serves as the brand’s middleweight option, it doesn’t offer the same level of performance as the YZF-R6.

However, it seems that Yamaha may have found a solution with the YZF-R9. Although the company hasn’t made any official statements about a new sportbike based on the MT-09 platform, some patents have been filed for the name. Now, at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Yamaha unveiled the XSR900 DB40 prototype, built on top of the brand’s flagship neo-retro machine, the XSR900.

Unlike the naked XSR900, the DB40 prototype features a full fairing, lower clip-ons, and higher rearsets for a sportier setup. The prototype differs significantly from the neo-retro naked bike, with the frame, engine, and wheels being the only shared components.

The bodywork on the DB40 prototype is unique, with a front fairing that evokes a retro-inspired design similar to the YZF-R1. The tail also has an 80s-inspired boxy design, resembling the current generation XSR900. The prototype utilizes an Ohlins rear shock and blacked-out inverted forks for suspension.

The XSR900 DB40 prototype not only celebrates Yamaha’s four decades of using the aluminum Deltabox frames on its sportbikes, but it also hints at the future of Yamaha sportbikes. With a working prototype, it’s likely that the DB40 is more than just a tribute to racing heritage.