Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/595371
2016 YAMAHA XSR700 QUICKSPIN P80 ever, it is the small changes that make the biggest difference. The slightly taller bars and new seat put you in a more up- right and comfortable riding po- sition, a stance that really suits the XSR and makes for a more pleasurable ride. And that's what the XSR is all about—enjoyment. On a twisty road the XSR retains all the features that have made the FZ-07 such an interna- tional hit. The bike's light weight means it can be thrown around corners with surprising agility while the sportbike-size tires mean you are pretty unlikely to ever run out of grip. Ride it with a lot of enthusiasm and the soft suspension can start to protest, but on the XSR I quite like this feature as in my book a retro bike should have a tiny bit of charac- ter wobble built into its ride. But the parallel twin engine, which is untouched when compared to the FZ-07's power plant, is the real star of the show—relaxed and smooth when required, more than happy to bang up a few wheelies if stirred into action. S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2016 YAMAHA XSR700 ENGINE: .....Twin-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder DISPLACEMENT: ............................ 689cc BORE X STROKE: ........... 80.0 x 68.6mm HORSEPOWER: ......... 73hp @ 9,000 rpm (claimed) TORQUE: .............. 50.1lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (claimed) COMPRESSION RATIO: .....................11.5:1 TRANSMISSION: .......................Six-speed FRONT SUSPENSION: Conventional fork, non-adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ........... Single shock absorber with adjustable spring preload FRONT BRAKE: ........ Twin 282mm discs, four-piston calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE: ..........Single 245mm disc, two-piston caliper, ABS FRONT TIRE: ....................... 120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: ......................... 180/55 ZR17 RAKE: ............................................... 24.5° TRAIL: ........................................... 3.54 in. WHEELBASE: ...............................55.31 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ............................... 32.1 in. OVERALL HEIGHT: ........................ 44.5 in. OVERALL WIDTH: ......................... 32.3 in. OVERALL LENGTH: ........................ 81.7 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ...........................3.7 gal. WEIGHT: .............410 lbs (wet, claimed). COLOR: .... Forest Green / Garage Metal MSRP: ................................................ TBA No word on if this is coming to the States, here's hoping! (Above) Seriously, that is one beautiful seat—looks straight out of a craftsman's workshop. Rear brake light is a neat touch. (Above right) Headlight is small and svelte and ties in prefect symmetry with the taillight. Yamaha will argue the XSR700 has been designed to appeal to the new wave of cool riders, but I say look beyond this. The MT-07 base means that this is a cheap, great look- ing, machine that is packed full of spirit and is also very easy to live with on a day to day basis. It's never going to be as cool as a Triumph or Ducati simply be- cause of the name on the tank, but it is better priced and argu- ably far more fun to ride. CN