Retro bike group test: Yamaha XSR700 vs Ducati Scrambler vs Bonneville Street Twin vs Guzzi V7 II

[@SiggyCloud]

The guy doing this voice over is the most british man I've ever heard. Betta Rubba Anova Neva Scrambla Eeva Orsepowa Fazand Ova Senta Viza

[@RummyKegstealer]

Love my V7 II stone wouldn't trade it for the world! 6 months of ownership and 9300 miles on the clock still no problems out of it!

[@RummyKegstealer]

It's not a fast bike but I knew that when I got it. 0-60 is great with the low end. But it is great looking all the cruiser riders never seen one. 90% of the riders here are Harley.

[@adam1othman]

+Rummy Kegstealer well its not fast by todays standards. The thing is that its so retro it even carries the performance of a retro machine. Consider it a classic bike you can buy on the show room floor because in the 70's thats how it was, weather it was a guzzi, ducati, laverda etc... Point is that the guzzis supposed to feel like a vintage bike from the period and this is what old school bikes felt like

[@sportsmusiclover]

Have a Guzzi V7. Started with problems, fitted a modulator and loving it now.

[@RummyKegstealer]

I'm about to put in aftermarket exhaust and then get it fuel remapped. Can't wait to hear it with the pipes opened up =D

[@John-yg2rt]

It seems like people don't like the XSR overall, especially styling... I don't get it though, I love the way it looks

[@samuelcaeiro7647]

I actually believe it's the other way around, people love the xsr look, some few don't and bash it for it's looks... it's a love or hate bike

[@1990-t1j]

So do I.

[@kellybrookman8109]

I don't know. All the opinions I read and hear are very positive about the aesthetics. Both young and older riders. The complaints I read are regarding some finish and quality issues...from owners. Apparently these bikes have some corrosion issues with painted surfaces and the fasteners...nuts and bolts. I'm an older rider and like the looks. Shopping for a bike in this class now and leaning towards a Suzuki SV650. Like both bikes a lot. The XSR looks a little more old school scrambler style to me. I'm past that look but many guys my age still want it. It's what we rode as kids.

[@hochhaul]

This is one of the only negative reviews I've seen for the XSR. Most reviewers love the bike. Especially since it's so damn customizable. Aside from needing a proper exhaust and some minor suspension tweaks, its a fantastic bike for the price IMO.

[@ProductionJunction1]

XSR700 is a better deal - with the money you say you can mod the f out of it and make it unique...then you have the best engine (it’s rowdy and fun) and a bike that is unique.

[@bogdanradjenovic4550]

The XSR looks miles better in real life. And for what it's worth, it's cheaper, lighter, more powerful and reliable than any of the bikes listed. Gets the best MPG and with a shock upgrade it will ride certainly better than any of these bikes, and it will still be cheaper!

[@SiggyCloud]

If we're going for things that are cheaper, lighter, more powerful AND more reliable than you need to check out the 2019 CB650R and yes I realise it wasn't out at the time of this video. But it is now and it blows all of these out the water!

[@1990-t1j]

@@SiggyCloud But it's an inline four.

[@maximus9401]

@@SiggyCloud CB650R is certainly not lighter or cheaper than an XSR700. It is more powerful out of this group of 4 bikes, but it's a 4 cylinder which doesn't fit the character of the test and it is not anywhere near as authentic to the retro vibe

[@ricky_ph9774]

@@SiggyCloud cb650r is deemed smoother ride, better quality stock parts and top end can blitz 195kph easy with symphonic inline4 sound to envy But xsr..its darn styling is refreshing and evocative + customization-friendly + torquey character i believe it has a soul

[@Sogeking995]

Gobby Prick in what way is the CB650R a retro style bike? I don’t even think the xsr deserves that title.

[@shiftyshamsk]

With an engine that traces its history back to the 70s and exceptional detailing the Moto-Guzzi isnt just an imitation of a classic, its the real thing! Built with the old school ideals of light weight and decent handling, ridden as it should be, this bike is as much a pleasure to ride as it is to park up and look at.

[@vxn675]

All the bikes tested have such different personalities. You really have to ride them to know what feels right for you and fits your needs and fulfills your desires. I've got a 2013 V7 Stone that I bought used. I've put 9k miles on in the past year that I've owned it. I'm a Guzzi lover (had a 2005 V11 LeMans prior and took it cross-country) so I know what to expect and how to get the most out of Guzzis. I haven't any issues whatsoever with my V7. I just had the ECU re-flash to go along with aftermarket pipes. I commute 110 miles round trip in the LA area and plan to do some touring on it. I can go everywhere I need to go for as long as I want on my V7 Stone with an almost 6 gallon tank, 50 MPG, easy access to the heads for maintenance and a shaft drive. My other bike is a 2009 Triumph Street Triple with over 100,000 miles on the odometer. So I really like to ride and I enjoy bikes with soul and character. I think it's great that there is a good variety of interesting "standard" mid-range motorcycles on the market. This review highlighted some of the best in that category.

[@IdoIndeedFlip]

"Created as one thing, turned into another and now looks like neither" is such a perfect description of the XSR

[@ApriliaRSA250]

Reminded me immediately of : "Elements of the past and the future combining to make somethin' not quite good as either" Might Boosh.

[@martinmartin5904]

yes the side cover is at the wrong place

[@pas0003]

I really want to like it!!! But I cannot... I like the specs of the mt07 but looks wise it's not great.. xsr is even worse. At least mt07 doesn't try to be retro, while xsr tries and absolutely fails. Street Twin is my favourite however the performance is ... lacking!! For a 900cc machine it should definitely be making more power!

[@radaboiz]

Looks like something even better

[@alwynmcmath]

Now that's what I call a review. No bribery going on there. And an actual opinion! Well done visor down, more of this. Oh, and I disagree, I'd probably take the xsr, but that's not the point.

[@joyahir3999]

XSR is a bad looking bike?!? What???!!!

[@steverolfeca]

I agree with the reviewer. In flat black, it looks menacing. But in other colours, the tank cover looks like an afterthought. In fact, the whole thing looks more cobbled together than styled. Not a pretty bike, but it works so well that it would eventually grow on me.

[@kellybrookman8109]

@@steverolfeca Well, it's a subjective thing, personal opinions on aesthetics of a bike. I think it looks awesome...being an older rider and reminded of bikes of my youth. I do agree with the reviewer regarding that master cylinder location. Not the greatest idea there.

[@chael9323]

it's a generational thing, Old dudes just can't let go of the past. And the XSR is targeted for the more younger riders.

[@kellybrookman8109]

@@chael9323 False. XSR is styled in an old school scrambler style the "older" riders grew up riding and exactly who the XSR appeals to. A market it is specifically aimed at as well as younger riders. We may differ on our concept of "older" guys, I admit. Those of us working on our 5th or 6th decade grew up riding this style of bike and still like the style. 30...40...isn't our idea of older guys.

[@Darkest_Soul_187]

@@steverolfeca It think it looks pretty good overall but in black it just looks like a bad ass custom made bike. I'm thinking between getting this or the Tracer 700 in the spring

[@cameronjaccard8763]

A decent review that would have been better without the awful wailing of that 90s headbanger guitar track in the background, which is totally out of place in a British review of retro bikes... The Guzzi's beautiful, but one can buy the same sketchy reliability and old-school performance for less in the used bike classifieds. Ditto for the Triumph. The Ducati is a great all-around bike with great lines, but it already seems overpriced compared to the Yamaha, which is easier to modify aesthetically than any of the bikes, and is the best all-around value, beating the others in price, reliability, and performance.

[@w00ey21]

spot on👌

[@AE86ofMtAkina]

If I were to pick a retro bike, it would be an SR400... but I'm a weirdo that would pay $6000 for a bike with no electric start.

[@shizuokaBLUES]

AE86 of Mt. Akina I have an SR and it's well worth the money. Great build quality and you won't even notice the kick start; it's that easy to use.

[@sharksandwich101]

Yeah because they never play rock music in Britain, oh wait......

[@aluisious]

Blah, "value." That's why I work, so I can buy what I want. Every day of the week I'd get the Ducati. Believe me, you don't notice that your payments are 15% higher each month, but you do notice that you got what you wanted in your garage.

[@LeVainCasque]

That's why I got a V7II. There's no real reason, it's just a dreamy bike? My none bike friends love it too. And the neighbours literally watch me clean in.

[@207Richy]

Still have the triumph.

[@RockcafeRacer]

I have a xsr700 in silver and I am in love with this bike

[@moods4208]

that is exactly why i just got myself V7 Racer. Love it

[@billbaxter3800]

One word to describe the yamaha xsr700? STEAMPUNK! I love it!

[@AddyAdderson]

That's how customers feel: "I paid all that money, and I still got motoguzzied."

[@AleksiJoensuu]

FINALLY! A reviewer says out loud what I've been thinking of for over a year! Thank you dude. All of the others are nice bikes, but only the Guzzi has something special in it that makes me consider selling my other two bikes and getting a proper job to be able to afford all the maintenance. I test rode one on february this year after drooling for one since last year's feb. and it was amazing. That feeling when you wait at the lights and twist the grip to rev it, it rumbles and the ENTIRE BIKE TWISTS under you because of the centrifugal forces in that transverse twin... Like I said, it's the only one of these that's really quirky enough to make me lust after it. Where riding it really makes me feel like I've done something special.

[@cheski8468]

+Aleksi Joensuu 2014 V7 Racer owner here with over 20,000 miles on her now without any problems even after a few spills and drops. She's built like a rock and tough as nails. Full service maintenance was only $500 which included the replacement of a bent front rim. Of the 8 new Guzzi owners I've met only one had any electrical/fueling issues and Guzzi exchanged it for a new bike.

[@AleksiJoensuu]

+Mongo Local780 Cool, Mongo Local! The racer seems like it would be too nice for me with that mirror finish tank. I really don't like to wash my bikes that often ;)

[@cheski8468]

+Aleksi Joensuu Smart, more time riding. Air cooled, dry clutch, old school!

[@JunkBondTrader]

my research led me to the yamaha and ducati. I drive on the hwy quite often so I probably will go with the xsr700. I dont wanna be pushing the engine to the limit just to keep up. Scrambler does look cooler, I will agree with that. But I've seen some modified xsr700s that look really sick.

[@RandomGRK]

Greta review! It was like a love hate relationship with the Guzzi. I love and hate that bike so much. Can't wait to buy another V7 one day. Miss my old one that I sold

[@Maxwell53095]

why U hate v7?)

[@RandomGRK]

Maxwell53095 watch the review and the context of my comment should make sense. It's tongue in cheek

[@Maxwell53095]

i had a love-hate relationship with my ex gf and that wasn`t funny) why U sold it? do U have some seriously troubles with U`r guzzi? is that bike reliable? i luv how it look and sound, v-twin sounds like music when u put agostini pipes on it, but the price is anouther question.. for the same price i can get street triple, so i dunno what to do.

[@saidnobodyever711]

Get one of each if you can :) Seems like we've got similar taste in bikes. I loved riding the guzzi, but have owned a street triple for 3 years. I can only have one, and suspect I would have ended up trading in the guzzi for something with more performance. Depends what's more important to you I guess..

[@h34p]

Hands down, driven all - the xsr700 is the best of the 4, no question about that.

[@echanos]

I agree, the V7 is the best looking of the group. But Italian reliability or the lack thereof scares the hell out of me.

[@Tom-jc2fq]

Honest review 100% agree.

[@1990-t1j]

Honest review; 100% disagree.

[@MeeJunksEavy]

My brief: daily commuter with a modern feel and retro looks. XSR700 it was. Bonus benefits in Australia: cheap servicing, lots of aftermarket accessories and Japanese reliability. Test rode the others except the Guzzi which has very few dealers and less demo models. Ducati was nice but with a few mods was getting way too expensive. Are we in the golden age of motorcycles?

[@mark.e.p]

XSR isn't retro - it's just a damn fine bike but it's marmite - you love it or hate and I actually love it, lightweight, powerful and easy to customise.

[@clairebannister4749]

love your no nonsense down to earth snappy reviews. Good work. Was thinking about a Scrambler - but it all seems a bit naff - really struggling to find a suitable fun mid range bike that's cool but not knobbheady - just don't know what to get! Suggestions welcome.. Wouldn't trust the Guzzi reliability. Update: Just seen your SV 650 review - as inspector Clouseau would say " The case is sol-ved"!

[@randallsguaranteedsold6361]

Good quick review…. Thx! (Those rear licence plates look like compact serving trays)

[@Dave-sw2dm]

I have the Fz-07 and it is nice reliable little bike with no soul or character. The first bike I have owned with a plastic clad fuel tank. I bought it as a light bike to throw in my truck to take on trips. I have quickly become bored with it. I found this review while looking for V7 III reviews. They say the V7 III is much improved.

[@fahadm8260]

excellent review. thank you

[@petethompson1282]

A review which concludes, it's a bike for someone who wants that bike. Sometimes on paper is all rubish, after sitting on the scrambler at MCN this week, ive now thrown it in the bin, surprising of all was the bonneville, i loved the position. The guzzi turs my head, like most italian things, they dont work very well but can steal your heart. Triumph i guess for me, but the T120 instead.

[@rideandrant8869]

scramblerrrrrrr 😍 all great go get hipster coffee wearing your flannel bikes!

[@allenparsens5279]

The review style is the best I have seen. I don’t personally care at all for imitation.

[@johna6968]

Great content for a 5 minute review..

[@guzziventure1750]

They do that like no other on the net.

[@urbanfireblade]

Nice critical review👍.

[@hangingoutdude]

This review is why I tested a XSR700 and then bought it... and because it was the cheapest ;) The XSR900 reminded me too much of my SuperSport.

[@lukewalker1051]

Might as well of tested the original bikes that created the retro segment because you chose the bike with most retro performance. The XSR700 is the best motorcycle you tested.

[@kimble911]

Watching this video, is this the review that goes with the Ride magazine in june's edition?

[@casperdog777]

XSR looks like a modern bike with a nod to retro land. The Street Twin is a stonkingly good bike. Visor Down missed it this time :-(

[@Death666wish]

I approve of your verdict.

[@MotoRiderTube]

Why not compare with the Guzzi V9?

[@guzziventure1750]

Yeah, I agree. That is the Guzzi that imo fits the bill in this review. The new 850T3 (I think).

[@guzziventure1750]

You know I like your reviews. They belong to the best on the net. (I see them all, English, German, Austrian, American, South Africa and Australian). I think the new V9 roamer may have been a better choice than the v7. To me, the V7 is a bike for in city. The V9 the real bike for twisties. The new 850T3.

[@rio0045]

Good decision. A bit unusual though but this is how this class should be choose. Keep it up.

[@saidnobodyever711]

Agreed, there's just something about the Guzzi. On paper you wouldn't think it, but especially in this category it's not really about the numbers. Definitely ride it before writing it off.

[@NunoGuicho]

Great, the Ducati or Triumph how is the best choose? I want to by one this Bike's.

[@parolainkilap6952]

Which goes better for offroad?

[@johnrocker2986]

Some bikes that glitter ain't always gold thats why the dude choose a good ole Guzzi!

[@67claudius]

Great Guzzi, from 95 years made in Mandello del Lario.

[@chazlyle41]

All of these comparisons are the same. "Yes, the Yami is the best bike in every way, but it doesn't look cool to other grown men who I want to admire me." haha

[@PR-xh3nj]

More like, it just doesn't look cool.

[@1990-t1j]

The Ducati isn't a retro bike, either, Xiven X.

[@tridiveshnaidu2992]

is it gud for cornering ??

[@whipstitchwebwork1383]

That xsr700 is an animal.

[@threethrushes]

The dodgy 1970s porn track is disturbing, irrelevant, and detracts from an otherwise good review.

[@richmoon007]

Xsr mat black... 🔝

[@SavioureG]

I'd take the Triumph over the others any day. It may not match the other XSR in performance but nothing beats that classic look, you actually feel great riding a Bonnie, over a better performing machine that just has no soul.

[@lukewalker1051]

Good luck with the gearbox. I'm done with Triumphs. The Japanese make the most reliable and performance oriented motorcycles for the best price. I do agree with you about the styling. I owned an '09 aircooled Bonneville I mildly cafed. And yes, a crunchy 2nd gear.

[@JojoCrazyCat]

My type of bikes. I will get me another retro bike as soon as i save the money. I already have a cruiser and a Sport bike. But none of them are as special to me as a retro bike.

[@iodineclip]

i like the XSR :) but the kenny roberts special is way more beautiful.

[@johnroe3915]

I wish we had the XSR7 in the US. All we get is the 900.

[@John-yg2rt]

not anymore

[@Jultran]

There is no more info in the link. I dont find the full writen review, just adds

[@MarcusFunk1990]

Awesome review. I disliked the music in the back ground, seemed way to disturbing and the volume was set to high for my taste! Still, keep up the good work

[@regisconde]

Unfortunately, in Brazil, we only have the Triumph model

[@trelane751]

Xsr 900 would stomp em

[@alfredjohnguerrero565]

i do ride xsr700 I'm 5'6 and no problem at all. already praises it so much more on the xsr900!!

[@romario5080]

Love my xsr900. Had some hipster elitests try and stir my love for my babe. But I'm an honest man and love my fat 900

[@afterstars]

I think the 700 is more fitting for that body style but yes I agree

[@benjamincs1]

Yeah but it doesn't sound good or retro, not being a twin

[@ripmax333]

he complained about the reliability of the Guzzi because it came with a dead battery? why they didn't just put a new one? if it was too low on voltage even after a jump start might give problems.

[@Lou-xd9ef]

That music though

[@RadoDani]

Interesting, the Ducati might be actually better bike than the XSR/MT-07, just needs street tires. In any case, this is the closest I get to a comparison between modern bikes like SV650/MT-07 vs retrobikes like Scrambler/Street Twin/V7 ... and Harley Street.

[@brighton_dude]

I was surprised but rather glad the Moto Guzzi "won". I really like that Moto Guzzi, it is descended from a 500 V twin they started making in the 80s, not actually the famous V7 Sport, but it looks a lot like the V7 Sport. I'd try to test ride all those bikes before I chose to buy, but I think for me the Guzzi is probably the most appealing. BTW better pronunciation of "Guzzi" is to say the two zeds as they are in "pizza".

[@guzziventure1750]

Yeah, I agree upon you saying: "not actually the famous V7 Sport, but it looks a lot like the V7 Sport". I' m still waiting for that real reincarnation. If they ever do that. V7 sport, to me the real man's sportsbike.

[@canturgan]

The Bike Shed, a motorcycle club for mummy's boys.

[@AddyAdderson]

God, spare us the U.S. Airforce recruitment music.

[@YA-ee9zf]

As a scrambler owner I raced all those bikes and I can tell you that the Scrambler is the fastest I don’t know how he came up with this conclusion. Also if you don’t like the look it has lots of models which have different styles

[@TorgoLives]

He came to that conclusion because this test was not which was the fastest.

[@hawkrider88]

So why is the Triumph so heavy? The company seems to be far more advanced than Guzzi and yet they can't seem to get the weight down on any of the Bonnevilles. Is it just not that important to most of the people who buy them? I'd like to buy one, but I'm a smaller guy and really don't care for a 500lb bike.

[@christiancartmale1150]

I want the XSR 700 in Canada!

[@desmohnizam]

Should have wait for the yamaha scr950

[@1990-t1j]

250kg wet weight.

[@fjsampaio8487]

where is the very fine Kawasaki W800??

[@dougfielding8215]

FJSampalo - I agree. The W800 was my choice a few months ago and am really enjoying it.

[@jonshreve3257]

Didn’t know Ricky Gervais reviewed motorcycles

[@poqjaq]

Id take XSR, dont get me wrong, but japanese machines is always more reliable than others.

[@bonestock7585]

The XSR look like a steampunk creation....and that's cool with me. Side note: Please don't use that background music again....too shrill and loud for background.

[@turk8418]

xsr👍👍

[@johnydecali]

Those pedestrians... Couldn't they wait a few seconds till you all were out the driveway...

[@chaostade4087]

so you chose what you called the worst.

[@kevindunnell7150]

Sorry my mistake! I thought this was a motorbike channel instead it's a F###ing Music channel.

[@alanjenkinson7812]

Is that Ricky Gervais talking?? I've ridden the Ducati and thought it was a very poor ride; front was skittish and it was uncomfortable despite being the perfect size for me as a short rider

[@pccrikadilansari955]

Motor retro mantap.. Salam dari SUZUKI A 100 ECONOS.. 🤗😘👰💑👨‍👩‍👧💞💓🇮🇩🇯🇵💪👏🤝👍🙏

[@myoldyoutubechannel]

FFS just tell us what the others said was best I'm not sifting through your blog to find each individual review without being able to tell whether those are even the same guys in this video

[@sbsb4995]

Guzzi for me

[@Reinemachefrau]

"A decent review that would have been better without the awful wailing of that 90s headbanger guitar track in the background, which is totally out of place in a British review of retro bikes". Couldn't have said it any better myself, Cameron. What were they thinking?!

[@劉-o2v]

Why the street twin? Why not T100 The Bonneville T100 will be the most retro one of these bikes.

[@Cicero75BC]

Triumph is still the best looking of them all. Lets face it...when you buy this type of bike you are buying it mostly for looks. Who cares about all the other nonsense unless you're a racer? They will all last a lifetime if you take care of them.

[@dry509]

Shame the Street twin is so heavy!! And kind of flat power wise.

[@Smaug1]

Why not pick the Yamaha SR400 instead of that abortion? How about including the Suzuki TU200X? Get some REAL retro iron in there... (Although you made a good point about the Guzzi)

[@pas0003]

Wow the Moto Guzzi is absolute rubbish then, if they couldn't even deliver a working test bike...

[@arkaprestige8051]

Add a Kawasaki z900rs please

[@indie0025]

Yellow

[@romario5080]

Now why would I give a fuck about what my bike looks like when most of the time I'll be riding it? #xsr900 ftw. (I know the 700 is in the video)

[@jamesherrington5606]

The music isn't very good

[@1990-t1j]

Lousy review. He basically says the XSR is the best, then gives it to the MG.

[@alfredjohnguerrero565]

if those bikes are basketball players the xsr700 would be lebron james!! best bike is xsr700

[@c.g.c2067]

the street twin's brake are nonsense though

[@joaosoares3719]

Love the Guzzi, but those electrical gremlins and the overall ridiculous reliability... no thanks. It's like riding a ticking time bomb.

[@MarkThomas2]

Great review. Please get rid of that shitty music

[@swieri2003]

pmsl, it's a heap of shite, but the best bike, absolutely pmsl

[@jamesherrington5606]

Screw style, the MT07 beats them all.

[@gaga1812]

Moto Guzzi is your true Fender Rhodes. Now why chase after electric pianos trying to imitate its sound. Just get the damn real thing!

[@kal-px7qd]

Ducati scrambler much better in real life