From the Webike Community's My Bike, the "Owner Review Summary" introduces various motorcycles based on the voices of owners who actually ride or have ridden them. This time, here's what the owners have to say about Yamaha「XSR700」.
To be honest "XSR700" is this kind of bike!
Motorcycles with the latest motorcycle components, such as liquid-cooled engines and bodies with 17-inch wheels front and rear, but with classic styling and a nostalgic feel are recently referred to as neo-classics.
The XSR series is a representative example of Yamaha's "neo-classic" model lineup, which includes the XSR900 equipped with a liquid-cooled 888cc parallel three-cylinder engine and the XSR700 equipped with a liquid-cooled 688cc parallel two-cylinder engine introduced here.
The common design features include round, single-lens headlights that use the latest LEDs as the light source, a rounded, teardrop-shaped tank, and high-quality seats.
What is interesting is that both models in this XSR series have an original model. The XSR900 is the MT-09 and the XSR700 is the MT-07. Although they are brothers who share the same engine as well as the main frame and other body parts, it is surprising that their design atmosphere is completely different.
As with the MT-07, the base model of the XSR700, the greatest feature of the XSR700 is its ease of riding. The liquid-cooled 688cc parallel twin-cylinder engine has plenty of low-speed torque for easy handling and a crisp engine pulse throughout the entire range. The chassis is also very straightforward and easy to handle, but the handling is a bit more relaxed and naked-like than that of the base MT-07.
The XSR700 does not have the sportiness of a motorcycle that can be used to set fast times on a circuit, but if your main use is for city riding and occasional touring to enjoy mountain passes, a machine like the XSR700, which is more fun to ride on a daily basis, will allow you to open the throttle with more enjoyment.
How do Webike users feel about the XSR700?
XSR700
Average price of the new model: approx. 7110 USD
Used model price: approx. 5425 USD
Number of reviews: 35
Data as of February 16, 2023
Average Owner Satisfaction Rating: 3.92 out of 5 (197 persons evaluated)
It should be noted that looks are highly rated with a score of 4.7. The simple, retro look is popular among all generations, and the variety of custom parts seems to be an attractive feature.
The XSR700 is also characterized by high ratings in many areas, with scores of 4 or higher for riding, maneuverability, and fuel economy. The powerful engine and nimble ride make it easy to ride from city streets to winding roads, and the lightweight chassis makes it easy to maneuver when stopping.
On the other hand, the loadability rating is low at 2.37 points, but there seems to be some fun in finding a carrier or side bag stay of your choice from a wide variety of custom parts.
XSR700, Quick Summary
Advantage
Pulse feeling is very enjoyable even when riding in the normal speed range
Can be ridden without feeling self-conscious
No matter what, the looks are the best
Light and nimble handling
Pleasant acceleration from anywhere
Disadvantage
Poor foot grounding
Zero cargo carrying capacity
Too windy on the highway
Center of gravity is too high, depending on body size
Gauges are too bright at night
XSR700 Owner's Voice
Here are some of the most impressive voices among the many reviews.
M Schenker
| Motive for purchase, intended use, and comparative models | We were looking for a second motorcycle that would be comfortable and affordable. |
|---|---|
| Advantages/Satisfactory points | I test-rode and compared MT07, MT09, and BOLT at YSP, and MT07 is not my favorite in style. MT09 is quite janky and too spartan to be more than a 1st motorcycle. The BOLT has a lot of torque and is reasonably fast, but has little bank angle and is too heavy. The XSR700 is extremely good to ride. The light weight of 188 kg makes it easy to ride around town or on a touring trip. It is also easy to maneuver. Even when touring with a 2.5-liter class motorcycle, you don't have to feel guilty. On mountain passes, it shows its potential by its quick turnaround. It may be classified as neo-classic or heritage, but this is not the case at all. This is a sports machine purely for riding. It is easy but not halfway. |
| Disadvantages/Dissatisfactory points | The most negative point was the height of the vehicle. For me, the position of my hips is important when operating a motorcycle, but when cornering, the center of gravity was too high and I could not sit on my hips, making the motorcycle unstable. It must be designed for the physique of westerners. This was solved by replacing the seat with a 20mm lowered seat from Y's Gear. The position is now the best match. |
| Advice for prospective buyers | Depending on one's physique, as long as ride height measures are taken, it is just right for the average Japanese, the price is low, and it is fast enough to give one a dopamine rush, so I would recommend it. It has undergone minor changes since 2022, but I personally prefer the RZ250 black color to the RZ350 white-blue color. |
Gaogao
| Motive for purchase, intended use, and comparative models | Deciding that it was time for a lighter, more maneuverable motorcycle, I sold my Tiger 850 and bought one. I was torn between this motorcycle and the XSR900 but decided against it because the style of the new model was not to my liking, and I also thought that three cylinders in a row would be something. |
|---|---|
| Advantages/Satisfactory points | Light! The biggest motivation for purchasing this machine was its lightweight, 188 kg, the same as the V-STROM250! It has none of the low-speed instability (variability) characteristic of twins and can be trusted to start off, idle, and make U-turns with ease. It is normally fast when open, and can be driven smoothly without valleys in torque generation to the tires when cornering due to unequal explosion. |
| Disadvantages/Dissatisfactory points | The step is easily grounded if it is tipped in a certain way. The step can easily be grounded if it is tipped in a certain way. A rear set is a must for those who ride in mountain passes. (If you want to ride easy and like the scrambler-like position, this is a good choice.) The horn position is too close to the blinker position, so it makes an unexpected sound. The meter is too bright, and even with the darkest setting, it is too bright to see the road ahead when riding at night. The exhaust system is too quiet and I can't feel the engine output with my ears while driving. There are very few aftermarket parts available for the new model. |
| Advice for prospective buyers | I have written many cons, but I don't mind because there are many ways to solve them. Anyway, the motorcycle is light and compact. I got a fun toy. |
Gunsō
| Motive for purchase, intended use, and comparative models | I was considering an MT-07 since I got my large-sized driver's license, but I didn't like the seat one bit, and then I realized there was the XSR! I realized that I had to choose a used motorcycle (with low mileage) because of the tank color. (For some reason, I have never been a fan of the racer type, so it wasn't even a candidate.) |
|---|---|
| Advantages/Satisfactory points | It's cool. I leave it at a touring destination or in a store parking lot and admire it every time before I get ready to ride it. If you look at the overseas community, you will see that everyone has their own customization needs, so you can enjoy customization in many different ways (I haven't done much), and there are users all over the world, so communication is fun. However, the wind resistance is very strong, so I think it is better to use a 50:50 split between highways and low ways. You can go on winding roads easily. |
| Disadvantages/Dissatisfactory points | I don't like the raised part behind the OEM seat. I wanted it to have a clean line like the XSR900, or a design that gently connects to the rear fender. Also, although I've gotten used to it now, I tend to hit my shins on the steps when I stop. There are few exhaust system options, it is expensive, and the cost-effectiveness is a mystery, so it is probably OEM as it is. |
| Advice for prospective buyers | As for the foot grounding, I have adopted a lowered seat and my heels almost float off the ground. The seat is soft, so my buttocks do not hurt even if I ride for a long time. I thought it is worth 40,000 yen for a 2cm lowered seat. But I think it is a good choice if you are concerned about the stability of your foot grounding. The center of gravity is high, so you have to be careful when maneuvering the motorcycle. |
Check out XSR700's competitors
The characteristic feature of neo-classic models is their classical appearance. Moreover, for a character like the XSR700 in the same displacement range that is easy to ride for beginners of large motorcycles, Kawasaki's Z650RS or Suzuki's SV650X would-be candidates.
All of these machines have the latest specifications, but their design has a nostalgic feel to it.
Another important feature of these neo-classic models is that they do not require any riding attire.
Neo-classic riding apparel is of course a good match for sporty textile riding apparel, but also for riding apparel made of cotton, leather, and other natural materials.
Also, helmets, from sporty full-face helmets to classic jet helmets, can be matched with anything.
Now, if you're curious about our competitors' reviews, check here!
*Average owner satisfaction and the number of reviews are as of February 16, 2023.
Z650RS
Average Owner Satisfaction: 4.17 (33 people rated)
Average price of a new model: (approx.) 7715 USD
Average used model price: (approx.) 10065 USD
Number of reviews: 3
SV650X
Average Owner Satisfaction: 3.90 (250 people rated)
Average price of a new model: (approx.) 5975 USD
Average used model price: (approx.) 4875 USD
Number of reviews: 39
