Yamaha XSR700 Review (2015)
What Is It?
The Yamaha XSR700 is a neo-retro style bike and is powered by a Euro 4 compliant liquid cooled 689 cc parallel twin engine, producing 74 bhp at 9,000 rpm and maximum torque at 6,500 rpm.
Specs
- Seat Height: Average (815 mm / 32.1 inches)
- Weight: Average (186 kg / 410 lbs)
- Economy: Average (55 mpg / 5.1 l/100km / 19.5 km/l)
- Range: High (170 miles / 274 km)
- Power to Weight: Average (0.398 bhp/kg / 0.297 kW/kg)
- Top Speed: High (120 mph / 193 km/h)
Pros
- Loads of parts available
- Looks great
- Handling
- Brakes
Cons
- Non-LED headlight
- Lumpy mid-range
- Quiet exhaust
- Suspension
- Seat
What Is It Like?
What's Good?
I bought it about one year ago and I've covered over 8,000 miles since then. It's currently fitted with Michelin Road 5's which I really like. They inspire confidence on the twisties!
The brakes are more than adequate and I really like the ABS feature, especially when braking hard it stops the rear wheel from locking up. It really loves a good thrashing around a good country road.
I once had an RD350LC back in the 80's and the first time I rode this the memories of that bike came flooding back. It has the ability to awaken the hooligan inside.
Any Downsides?
The back suspension is slightly too soft for my liking and I tend to bottom out on bumpy corners.
The other thing is that the seat. Although it looks well proportioned and comfortable, it can literally become a pain in the ass after an hour or so of riding. Other than that I have no problem with or complaints about the bike.
Economy
It's a miser on fuel, around 55/60mpg I reckon and easy to work on. Low maintenance so far.
Mods
- Leo Vince exhaust system
- Givi rear carrier rack
- Givi 22 litre hard side boxes
- Givi 5 litre 'Tanklock' tankbag
- Ermax bikini faring
- Hand guards
Pros
- Easy to ride
- Economic
- Easy to work on
- Lots of accessories available
Cons
- Rear suspension needs beefing up
- Seat becomes intolerable after an hour or so of riding
To Sum Up
It's a fun bike to ride which handles very well and looks great too.
- Rob D, 2019
Price Guide
Related Bikes
Yamaha MT-07 - The uber popular modern naked bike the XSR700 is based on.
Yamaha Tracer 700 - The adventure version of the MT-07 with longer travel suspension, greater range and lots more protection.
The Second Opinion
2018 XSR700
I consider myself a bit of a noob when it comes to motorbikes. I rode for a while roughly 15 years ago on a GS500 and 600 bandit.
Recently I've got back into riding and had a Honda CBR600 F4i for 6 months before getting the XSR. I found an absolute bargain, picked it up from Essex and rode it 120 miles back in torrential rain and gale force winds.
XSR Take Two
I still managed to enjoy the ride but unfortunately some ball bags decided to steal it within 2 weeks of me collecting it! 🤦
The insurance paid out and I picked up a 2016 model which was pretty much the same with less miles. So after a few months I can say I absolutely love it.
What's Good?
It's great fun to ride, around town or on country roads. It's great on fuel and pulls really well. Obviously it's a naked bike so motorways and fast speeds get a bit blustery.
Any Downsides?
To be honest I have to echo what others have said, the exhaust sound just isn't right. While it has a V-Twin sound to it, it just isn't loud enough.
I find that it's a bit lumpy feeling in the mid range, both were so I know it's not just the 2016 bike.
The quality of some of the finishing isn't the best, the welds on the swingarm rust as do the nuts which fix the mirrors to the handlebars and the standard chain seems poor.
To Sum Up
All that being said I would certainly recommend it. It never fails to put a smile on my face and is a real head turner. It looks stunning and is great fun to ride fast or slow.
- Ed W, 2019
Add Your Review
Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.
More Info
Check out this video review from TheMissendenFlyer.