2016 Yamaha XSR700 bike review

Yamaha is the latest motorcycle manufacturer keen to embrace a flourishing retro scene by developing a range of yard-built-themed rides under its ‘Faster Sons’ branding. The XSR700 is the first model to emerge, taking the Yamaha MT-07 as its foundation. Jon Quirk reports…
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[@ReceptionDixonHouse]

its a great bike, after watching many reviews i bought it and i certainly dont regret it, it gives you the best of both worlds, retro look with its sitting position, but if you feel like speeding it does that very well too... it picks up speed pretty quick. if its windy and you wanna go on the motorway then you can always duck down, it wont stop you from doing so... but it is true, if you sit up the winds will hit your chest and make you feel like you're being pushed... the mirrors are a little funny, i ended up twisting them in an elongated position in order to have a good view of whats happening behind me. in my first week of owning this, i couldn't control how i ride it, i guess i wanted to keep hearing the engine and the speed, i ended up refilling the tank at least 3 times, and for the first time in my life i got flashed by a speed camera twice in a space of 15min. I just couldnt guess my speed without looking down at the display. on my second week i calmed down and started understanding the bike a little better, and loving it more. it certainly doesnt let you down, even an audi a5 tried to over take me when a traffic light turned green...it couldnt!! sound wise, its not amazing obviously, but then i live in a tight quite street, you can hear people's footsteps, any louder and people will definitely start throwing eggs at my bike!! i personally dont think its as bad as some of you make it to be. Seat its comfortable enough, suspension is soft enough... the display isnt great, its tiny, displays the miles or the time, cant have both at the same time, i also dont like the fuel gauge, it keeps me on my toes, the other day it was in a comfortable level when i got to work, when i turned it on to go home it was nearly finished all of the sudden.. i feel that it is not precise and not reliable. I fill up the tank with roughly £8 to £10 each time. I also wish it accommodated a luggage rack or any luggage without having any doubt about how will it transform its looks... its a very stylish bike as it is, just have to be very careful what you add to it to maintain its cool looks to add to its practical usability.

[@tiagocosta2256]

I couldn't agreed more with you mate I bought mine 2weeks ago 🤟 after being in love with it for a long time and super happy with it your description is super accurate but you forgot to mention damn when we walk in to the garage and turn on the light bamm that super gorgeous beast looking at us just melt my heart 😁🤟

[@Grimexperience62]

I have to agree with the guys who aren't confused about what this bike is. It may not be retro, but it has its own cool look and the performance is better than most in this class. I happen to be a Yamaha fan so I'm liking this funky looking machine. Retro Mod...

[@Real_MisterSir]

"Genuine heritage, more charisma, better exhaust".. Mate, do you honestly know anyone who would not fit an aftermarket exhaust on these kind of bikes? They all sound like sewing machines, some just a bit louder.. The price deficit actually allows you to install exactly whatever aftermarket full exhaust system you'd like, compared to the more expensive alternative bikes you list. So, the others have "heritage", and Yamaha don't? How? They were around back in the days, and Yamahas have always been used as foundations for building custom scramblers and cafe racers. I believe they have just as much if not even more heritage than the other bikes. Yamaha were one of the brands that actually brought the scrambler and cafe racer idea to the mass market. Charisma? Well, maybe. The European brands definitely have something special about them because they aren't trying to appeal as much to a mass market, but on the other hand the XSR700 offers a superb base for people to create their own bikes from a great starting point, and they get this for cheaper. A bike you can more easily make your own, is, in my eyes, much more valuable than something that is pre-styled and too expensive to just customize completely.

[@aashutoshbhagat2677]

True. I mean this is more value for money than Bonneville series and scrambler . Plus it has its own identity rather than mimicking old classics . Cheap to maintain as it's japanese and reliable. plus it is fun to ride compared to other retro bikes in the market.

[@S8250503]

I don't think the EUSSR will allow the replacement of original exhausts in the very near future - not a problem as all journeys will be considered, "non-vital" anyway.

[@entitykeeper8869]

My son bought an FZ-07. I really enjoy riding his bike. The XSR 700 is gorgeous and I would love to buy one for a second bike...even though my FZ1 is awesome.

[@pedronogueira8148]

Poor factory exhaust sound... man, if only there was a way to change that...

[@jasonharris2452]

pedro nogueira I put a m4 full exhaust on mine sounds like a HArley

[@badboyIOM]

Stuck an arrow exhaust on mine, sounds great. Also shortened the arse end and got rid of the lighthouse sized headlight. JvB can make this bike beautiful 🤘

[@S8250503]

Simply go back to the seventies.

[@richardjones8684]

Put an akro system on mine ... sounds amazing now

[@skiggy007]

@@jasonharris2452 Did you flash the ECU after installing the M4 exhaust? If so what kit did you use?

[@mattmcmaniac]

Genuine heritage? I think Yamaha has been around long enough to qualify.

[@terryjohn]

yes 1970 xs 650

[@lena19191]

Yep agree ..Yamaha is a house hold name now

[@bearellie6985]

The stock headlamp is "not" LED at least not on my 2018 model. Other then that, it is a fantastic bike that you have to ride before judging. Especially with the Akropovic full exhaust!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Akrapovic, Yoshimura, Arrow, Leo Vince, Graves, Scorpion, Two Brothers, Termignoni, Hindle, M4, or SC Project will provide all the sound track you'll ever need with the XSR. And you won't have to put up with the cost, lack of power, and ridiculous maintenance schedule of the European stuff either.

[@tiagocosta2256]

So true mate

[@mark.e.p]

Mad Max meets retro, love it. So like every bike I've ever bought you add aftermarket exhaust, progressive springs and tail tidy job done!

[@hommebizzare]

I love this bike. If you want a vintage motorcycle, buy a vintage motorcycle! If they are going to make something new, why not make it better than it was then? Only thing is, i hate the looks of that round tachometer

[@jackwiedemann]

buy the mt-07 then

[@Emophia]

mt-07 is ugly.

[@ricardogoncalves8196]

i find the way they did it on the 900 xsr is fantastic.

[@kleinbottled79]

Sheeeeit when I'm looking for my next (used) bike in a year or two I have a feeling the mt-07 (Fz-07) will be a lot easier to find. But, if I see one of these on craigslist for a fair price, gotta at least have a look/ride.

[@rayhan4502]

"why not make it better than it was then? " Why should they

[@soulerflare7]

Coming from an fz07 owner , that seat sure looks comfortable.

[@devilmaycry383]

it's nicely stylish i like the display clock and the tail light but I'm happy with my MT-07.

[@xanzibar]

I need this in my life.

[@TheScatman89]

I dont understand why reviewers badmouth stock exhaust.. - we know they are shitty.. they all are.. that's the first thing you toss in the river..

[@desert_runner9081]

TheScatman89 hahaha that's true first thing I did on my fz07 was install a yoshimura full exhaust system been in love with it ever since!

[@TheScatman89]

TRD DESERT_RUNNER90 nice one , i have the same bike i opted for the akra titanium - such a nice roar.

[@kleinbottled79]

@ Aaron P Yup, seems odd but I agree. Yamaha's budget parallel twin sounds AMAZING with a pipe. Depending on your taste it is up there with the best. Strange world we live in.

[@rayb7414]

I fully agree, I never change my stock exhaust on any of my new bikes. They are engineered for the bike.

[@BB-1990]

So are the upgraded exhausts. You don't think Akropovic which you can get through Yamaha is engineered for it?

[@anonharingenamn]

I gotta say, I find these LCD displays really ugly. They don't fit on a bike like this. I'm not saying they have to be all analogue or anything, but that BASIC, single-color displays are just uninspired.

[@CockatooDude]

+Jagh Haringenamn I agree, but it does keep the cost down.

[@1990-t1j]

They look fine.

[@HeftyMann]

Location of the Speedo unit still sucks too. Like the fz-07 it is way too far forward. And they still have the key hole on the wrong side too. I had to make a custom bracket for my FZ-07 to put the Speedo in a much better location further out above the headlight.

[@tomquinn607]

Looks cheap.

[@antivorg1239]

that is one hell of a ugly radiator and since they've not painted it it sticks out like a sore thumb...

[@theLEGENDofKIZ]

+Antivorg you can give them a black paintwork

[@antivorg1239]

+theLEGENDofKIZ its true but that should come as standard

[@4crevis]

+Antivorg Yeah, it's almost as though they'd completely forgotten about it.

[@chaostade4087]

true. but there are black aftermarket side and front covers. That's what they want you to do, spend more money on those..

[@cristobaltorres3625]

it sure does 😝

[@VladoooThe]

For everyone complaining about the noise, its very easy to change for free. There are youtube tutorials on where to drill holes. I did it on my FZ-07 and it sounds amazing now. Check out my latest forks of the credit video for sound clips.

[@johnsmith-hi4kk]

these sound awesome with a different pipe

[@krismargett]

Do you think you could use music that doesn't sound like it was made on a casio Rapman, c.1994

[@ArkiTalo]

Someday, I will own this one to be paired with my Yamaha Dt 125 1980's...

[@terryjohn]

DT 125 1980 MY 3RD Bike i owned.

[@ArkiTalo]

wow! Im planning to buy a new yamaha, the xtz 150 soon! Work Hard!

[@ArkiTalo]

My DT's still kicking! Looks Good for 25 years

[@terryjohn]

come n live in the UK.they give u free money.for been out of work.

[@ArkiTalo]

Oh that's great! But Nah, Im from ph,... I can't go there. :'(..

[@travelinben1966]

I like the bike,but concerned about the corrosion issues I’ve been reading about.What’s up with that?

[@stekons]

I had a test ride in track with this and it is slow and bouncing around with factory suspension ... So i recomend it only if someone wants to upgrade it and doesn't care for real performance speedwise.

[@sbsb4995]

Great review

[@RayearthMX]

What about a review to XSR900 ?

[@rawe945]

What is the brand of clock????

[@martinstorcel3671]

What helmet's brand and typ you are using in this video

[@SuperSneakySteve]

That is not an LED headlamp.

[@LL080169]

yes,that's true!

[@badboyIOM]

The rear light is

[@ChuckieExtraOrdinary]

Like you and your review!

[@NZsarge1]

Chuck the Akra or an Arrow exhaust on it

[@MatthewdePaula]

How does it become uncomfortable on the highway?

[@terryjohn]

maybe wind and buffitings

[@Real_MisterSir]

that's true, but it's a stupid point because it is quite obvious and it affects every naked bike the same way. The only reason some could be better, is if you are naturally leaned more forward so you tuck into the wind a bit more, where the Yamaha could be more upright. But everyone else I've talked to says the bike is super comfortable to ride long, much more than the fz/mt07. But honestly, who gets a scrambler and expects it to be a Honda Goldwing on the highways? xD You can always fit a screen on it if you do lots of highway miles.

[@TheAviationChannel]

great video. when will you do used car videos

[@AJHDuk]

Great review... feel you on the soundtrack comment... but then again you've got the Akra option...

[@Drzee1968]

+Jon Quirk The bike in this video did not have the akrapovic exhaust, that is the standard exhaust.

[@Drzee1968]

+Jon Quirk why have you deleted your comment that you said the bike you rode came with an akrapovic exhaust, and complained in your video about the noise?

[@AJHDuk]

+Drzee1968 give the man a break 😂

[@mukulbajaj123]

i wish it comes to India soon ❤

[@littleredcurious5044]

That jacket . My guy!!!

[@benmurrant5298]

Love the review, but quick question, where are the boots from?

[@terryjohn]

shop

[@theresonly1truth138]

hi, does it have TC and D-modes like its brother the xsr900? thx.

[@josemhs1213]

Elie Nehme it seems like it doesnt

[@theresonly1truth138]

JodogX13 yes man, it does not.

[@nhatangnguyen1999]

Somebody tell me what's the brand of his shoe? Plz

[@terryjohn]

looks like u got a foot fetish.lol.u not on ya own.i like kissing girls feet too.bam

[@somyaranjansingh3518]

when it will be launched in India

[@christ1ian1mas]

Can anyone tell me why this is not available in North America? is it because of legality?

[@BB-1990]

We always get screwed here in the states. Go look at the Yamaha Europe site. But it is here in the states now, as of last week.

[@ayak103]

Sucks for us in the USA. I love the retro look. Does anybody know anything close to the XSR 700 that isn't the new sv650?

[@josemhs1213]

Alexander Espinal there is the fz-07

[@terryjohn]

or a Erm' Harley.parts Bin

[@dry509]

Which one is more fun to ride..this or the Triumph street twin?

[@bagelbytes69420]

+dry509 This has a LOT more power, similar torque and about the same weight, so I would wager this one, but the street twin may handle better due to better suspension setup.

[@mrj3795]

this has far better suspension than the taiumph. different league.

[@ewganhoff]

+BagelBytes "about the same weight". Are you bloody joking?!?!?! The trumpet weighs around 30kg more, which is a HUGE difference. Triumph

[@ewganhoff]

+ewganhoff Triumph are so embarrassed by the weight that they have refused to quote a wet weight for the bike even though the rest of the manufacturers stopped using dry weights years ago.

[@johnDukemaster]

I tried both and bought the MT07. That's a really fun bike. And I don't agree with Jon, the sound on the MT07 with my Mivv full system, is absolutely lovely! :-)

[@wolfharthiphop]

Why is the riding position uncomfortable? Looks pretty upright to me....

[@steveluth3139]

Because on motorways you will catch a lot of wind.

[@mohammedehtisham5644]

when will it come to india

[@mark.e.p]

I rode an XS 650 in the 70's and there's plenty of heritage with Yamaha. Heritage normally means businesses that went bust, Ducati, Guzzi, Benelli, Norton, Triumph etc...- all new ownership and trading on a past label so your point is weak.

[@theincrediblesulk5543]

Nice review don't think it's worth an extra £ over the MT07. What roads was this shot on?

[@JonQuirkUK]

+The Incredible Sulk Thanks for watching. We spent the day on the south coast, but the Beachy Head road features strongly in the edit.

[@flabergastedfred]

Would this bike be good for beginner riders? So glad this is now available in the US

[@carlitoxb110]

Man that bike is cool, is it better than the r nine t?

[@alaned1109]

You're better off looking at the Yamaha XSR 900 when comparing to the BMW R Nine T.

[@joshg2538]

Nice jacket! What kind is that?

[@Hedbrant2]

It says in the beginning of the video

[@joshg2538]

thanks!

[@terryjohn]

lewis leathers monza -wait £750

[@Harlin67]

So much effort into building and designing a great looking and handling bike, only to deliver it with a scooter toned exhaust. Beyond me why that got passed any R&D meeting. Just for that reason alone I'd prefer the cheaper MT07 with an Akra, or any naked in the price range tbh

[@mrj3795]

It's pronounced a-krap-o-vitch. Just saying. Great bike, let down by that silver rad. It makes proper power, unlike the v7 and the street twin. Keep up the good reviews.

[@John-yg2rt]

Will it hoon?

[@leroy8944]

Not sold in the us

[@Siper2]

+mike kuzak Yet. We got the FZ-09, then the FZ-07. Now we have the XSR900, so the XSR700 will come. My guess, probably MY2017. I sat on an XSR900 just last week in Penn., very sweet bike indeed.

[@Question_Authority]

xsr700 has a torque deficit?

[@josemhs1213]

Hey yamaha The US still wants this bike plz

[@charlesbrewer4061]

Jodog it's coming to the U.S.!

[@josemhs1213]

Charles Brewer yes indeed! I saw the news and i cant be happier

[@BB-1990]

It is here now!

[@SuperMultiplayer123]

please do Harley Davidson Night rod special

[@charliesmith4816]

is it a2 license compatible

[@SmartESET]

Charlie Smith Yes it is.

[@Krizla4]

Looks derived from the Yamaha Bolt Star ... the tacho is unreadanble in sunlight, just like the bolt star, that would be the first thing you should scrap ...

[@rubo1964]

you are not buying 8k bike then spend another 500 on techo and 500 would get you cheap shit.Why bother really no real rider looks on tachometer to shift....

[@mohammedehtisham5644]

love dis byk..!!

[@jerryjohnj7833]

do a review on RE Himalayan

[@JonQuirkUK]

+Jerry Johnj That's one of the bikes I'm really interested in this year. If we can get hold of one, we will! Thanks for watching, J

[@JojoCrazyCat]

I have an FZ07, but i would trade it for this bike.

[@trido1986]

Go for it.whenever newer model come..the previous look outdated. I traded mymt09 for xsr900..never outdated by time

[@ponderingbeyond5566]

please review honda 500cc family

[@manauryreyes7262]

Release Date?!

[@GeordiLaForgery]

It's out now.

[@4N2IN0JA]

I own a 1967 Yamaha 180cc twin 2-stroke and that's not heritage?? I wish they could bring back this bike with all the modern tech but still be a 2 stroke ha, pipe dreams I guess. Brap Brap!

[@terryjohn]

two strokes..had 3,troubles galore.never again

[@GarethBowen65]

Hi, Trying to get an idea of height. How tall are you?

[@AutoTraderTV]

Hi Gareth, Jon is 6 foot tall, approx 182 cm.

[@SiggyCloud]

I like the future retro look it has. As for genuine heritage?! Yamaha has plenty!! Wash your mouth out! >:C

[@GooSe763]

music?

[@LL080169]

Hi guys,does anybody knows the title of the music background?!!Nice motorbike...thinking I'm gonna buy it!

[@hidad5601]

1:34. You said LED headlight but you can see a globe

[@iodineclip]

lets say yamaha take an R1 engine and make it into something looks more like this, is it possible to do in terms of engineering and design?

[@chris681975]

easy to fix the noise with different cans

[@myriad860]

exhaust system for this bike puts ducati and triumph on the run ok!

[@songsabai3794]

radiator position is ridiculous.

[@terryjohn]

wud it look good underneath.?

[@gerhardjinks6581]

The Suzuki Rotary lives again.

[@terryjohn]

only this bike runs.suzukis dont.lol

[@coldwetandhappy6879]

talking about herritage... yamaha is around long enough, even longer than Triumph at this point. (triumph went bankrupt, after numerous takeovers) yamaha is still the original company. and the mt-07 or xsr700 has one of the best exhaust notes ever (after fitting a aftermarket exhaust).

[@olderwiser2080]

Why haven't Yamaha brought this to the US?

[@BB-1990]

As of last week it is here, finally.

[@shuttze]

that headlight is not led though

[@indie0025]

Beautyful

[@vikramb149]

nice bike

[@lushfauna]

Reminds me of the Triumph speed 4

[@jessbailey6718]

Jeez…that radiator…..at least paint it black Yamaha! Still want.

[@terryjohn]

id like this in red.

[@ricky_ph9774]

Enthusiasts refer to aftermarket parts everytime> the norm

[@rikiwiki]

Yamaha XSR700 vs Ducati Scrambler?

[@LL080169]

I like Yamaha...but Ducati has something more!!!

[@Rhosticks]

This is nice

[@m.daiki.m]

身長なんセンチですか？？

[@pinotino6349]

Quanto è alto il tester

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

A sports bike in fancy dress. Considering how quickly some sports bikes can age & seem out dated in as little as a few years. I rather the fancy dress.

[@theriderdtm8650]

If i buy this bike,i will dress the bike like RD300 LC ✌️😊

[@whiterabbitt2002]

Looks like a great bike. Though ... The radiator is down right ugly, and most important it is not being sold in the USA. If it was sold here in the USA it would definitely, IMO, take away sales from the Ducati Scrambler, which is costlier both in initial purchase and maintenance. Go figure ...

[@BB-1990]

It is here now, for about a week.

[@Battlerockthree]

Street Twin for the Win, Ducati Scrambler with the Show, and maybe give Yamaha XSR700 the Place. Anyone not understanding my reference, Win, Show and Place are 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a horse race.

[@johnwright6995]

The biking world is finally waking up super bikes are only fit for race tracks bottom end power torque is were it's at had a 350 lc in my teens only 50 odd hp but a fun bike power ain't everything if you can't use it and if you do on public roads your banned or worse dead there seems to be a macho thing about whose got the faster bike in the car park most never ride it to its full potential or havnt got the skill to

[@terryjohn]

i think now,the bikes today are way torqey,to test out to the max

[@TheGuyWho3415]

its what, $2k CAD MORE than a fz07? To look like a hipster?

[@chaostade4087]

just change the stock exhaust to an aftermarket and than come again to talk about sound.

[@dadgad1332]

温故知新 means A things present are judged by the things past.

[@AlexKono999]

The stock exhaust is really the weakest point of this bike.

[@TheTrenya]

first.. nice bike btw..

[@tuygildin]

возьму себе такой

[@JimmySlacksack]

street twin is far more handsome a bike.

[@robsonenduro3316]

I don't know but I think yamaha went astray some time ago...

[@q-bert6454]

So in conclusion...it ain’t all that!