The most complete Yamaha you can buy today

As a manufacturer, Yamaha has a knack for producing motorcycles that are both fun and practical. These two generally mutually exclusive features are found in virtually every street motorcycle on sale today. By simply offering us a different balance in each model, even the R1 has an appearance of pragmatism, as it is quite reliable. Although it is certainly not particularly rounded.

If you’re looking for something complete, this balance between fun and usability should be as close to 50/50 as possible. It should also be relatively affordable and ideally easy on the eye. Appearance is very subjective, but we can all agree that some Yamahas are a little hard to look at.

There are some equally well-rounded bikes from other brands

It goes without saying that Yamaha isn’t the only brand offering well-rounded motorcycles. For example, Kawasaki offers the Z650RS, which offers a little more for a little more. It adds neat design touches like the old-school dash to the mix, as well as a slipper clutch and traction control. Suzuki still has the SV650, which has been around since the beginning of time, but it’s still around for a reason: it’s an excellent motorcycle. The V-twin is a peach and has a better chassis than anything else in this space.

The XSR700 is the most complete Yamaha you can buy today

MSRP: $8,599

Everyone will have a different idea of ​​what a well-rounded motorcycle could look like. Some want one kind of motorcycle, others want a different kind of motorcycle. Some will want more features, and others will want less. The XSR700 is the “middle ground” of the middle ground. It offers a back-to-basics driving experience, has enough power to be fun, but not so much that it’s intimidating. It’s just a motorcycle. A fun, practical motorcycle that doesn’t cost a lot of money.

Features Yamaha’s bulletproof CP2 engine

Power: 74 hp

Yamaha struck gold with the CP2 engine. It’s the ideal multi-platform chunk because it’s versatile enough to fit almost any type of motorcycle. If you want a versatile motorcycle, you could very well choose one of the bikes equipped with a CP2, and you really can’t go wrong. It’s currently one of the most reliable engines you’ll find in any motorcycle, and it’s quite efficient too, with a claimed fuel economy of 58mpg.

This is the ultimate powertrain for the real world

However, the CP2 is not just about pragmatism; it’s also a really fun, tractable engine. As is the case with any middleweight these days, mid-range performance takes priority above all else. By having access to more power lower in the rev range, you can actually enjoy it at real speeds. 50 Nm of torque may not seem like much, but most of it is available from around 2,000 rpm. That’s ridiculously low. It makes it great to ride the XSR700 just about anywhere, even if it’s just to the shop around the corner.

The XSR700 is simplified motorcycling at its best

The only “feature” the XSR700 gets is ABS. That’s it. This is a very simple motorcycle, which makes it a standout among other modern motorcycles currently on sale. This may seem like a weakness, but it will actually improve the longevity of the motorcycle that we already know is mechanically reliable. Most modern motorcycles are mechanically reliable. So that doesn’t necessarily make the XSR700 unique in that respect, but the issues that tend to crop up over time are all electrical in nature.

Less electronics equals fewer long-term problems. The ergos are focused on comfort, your hands fall naturally on the bars and there is sufficient leg room. It is a very comfortable bike that can handle both weekday commuting and longer rides at the weekend. But with a seat height of 32.9 inches, it is slightly taller than average and may not be suitable for shorter riders.

No frills, no fuss

The chassis and suspension are budget type, but still more than up to the task of handling the power output. It will feel right at home on a canyon road, but you have to be careful because this bike doesn’t even have a slipper clutch, let alone traction control. It’s quite light and has a short wheelbase, meaning it’s extra agile and extra fun in the right hands. Rider involvement is paramount here, but while some will recommend this bike to new riders, that would be a mistake in our opinion. This already has a little more power than most new riders can handle, and the lack of additional electronic safety nets makes it a less than ideal starter bike.

It’s a great bike to get on, but not exactly beginner-friendly. In terms of appearance, we believe Yamaha has lived up to the design brief. It’s just a beautiful motorcycle. Although it draws inspiration from the past, it looks nothing like some other retro models that literally take you back in time. In that regard, you could argue that the XSR700 lacks some of the authenticity you get with a true retro model. It simply combines elements of the past into an otherwise modern ‘neo-retro’ design.

Of course, a back-to-basics motorcycle like this isn’t for everyone. It’s actually a bit surprising that something like this still exists, and it’s for that reason that we absolutely love it. It offers the ideal 50/50 ratio between fun and functionality that we talked about earlier, and will be a great option for anyone looking for a motorcycle that forces you to take a break from the world and just ride.

Chassis, suspension and weight specifications

Source: Yamaha