VOL. 52 ISSUE 44 NOVEMBER 3, 2015 P79
"W
e wanted to jump on the
hipster bandwagon and
recreate the success
of the Ducati Scrambler…" The
Yamaha man was only joking when
he said this while introducing the
XSR700, but in truth his state-
ment isn't that far off the mark. The
XSR700 is designed to appeal to
a fashion-conscious buyer and to
achieve this, Yamaha has taken
the FZ-07 as a base and bolted on
a few extras to create a modern
interpretation of the XS models
from the 1970s.
For a small premium over the
standard bike you get brushed
aluminum covers, a new speedo,
round lights, taller bars, an altered
seat (below which the rear section
of the subframe is now remov-
able to help customization) and
some Pirelli Phantom tires with
their retro-style tread pattern. It's
not a brand new model like the
Scrambler, however, by using the
FZ-07 as the base, Yamaha has
kept costs down and ensured
the XSR700 will be considerably
cheaper than the competition
when, and if, as this is still to be
decided, it hits America. Should
we all be campaigning our local
Yamaha dealership to ensure it
does make it here? I would say
so because, fashion aside, it's
another brilliant FZ model.
While the changes Yamaha has
made to the FZ-07 may appear
small, they have actually enhanced
what was already a superb base.
Styling is subjective, but I love the
new look of the XSR as it has been
done sympathetically to its roots
yet without going over the top. The
lights are neat, the seat still com-
fortable and the new round digital
speedo still has a gear indicator,
fuel gauge and various trips. How-
YAMAHA'S RETRO INSPIRED MIDDLEWEIGHT
OFFERS FASHION-PLEASING STYLE TO
RIDERS ON A TIGHT BUDGET
BY JON URRY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY YAMAHA MOTOR EUROPE
HIPSTERS
BE DAMNED!
