The simple roadster that proves that you don’t need any driving aids

Complexity is the name of the game these days. And that also applies to motorcycles. After all, modern bicycles these days are nothing less than a tech festival. A simple example is a six-axis IMU on a sports bike. The electronic safety net won’t protect a rider from true stupidity, but it will certainly allow the rider to explore the limits without fear of failing on the first try. Trust is also half the game. But if you’re not the type to take your motorcycle into extreme situations and don’t push the limits or ride in bad weather, do you really need all the electronics?

There’s also a lot of fun to be had with a motorcycle that’s simple and doesn’t cost a lot of money to buy or maintain. Of course, electronics can help mask a lot of drawbacks, so it takes more effort than you might think to make a simple motorcycle good. With manufacturers catering to every possible type of customer these days, it’s no surprise that such a naked motorcycle is available; What is surprising is how few still exist today. Here is the humble roadster that proves you don’t need driving aids.

The Yamaha XSR700 is the simple roadster that proves that you don’t need any driving aids

Yamaha, like everyone else, uses platform sharing as much as possible. The XSR700 shares its components with the other Yamahas with a ‘7’ in their names (mainly the MT-07 and the Tenere 700). The one thing all these models have in common is that they are light and a lot of fun. Unlike the other two, however, the XSR700 takes its retro part quite seriously. So serious in fact that it contains nothing but the most basic rider aids.

Yamaha XSR700 Price: $8,599

One of the great things about a motorcycle without electronics is that there is an opportunity to keep the price low. Unfortunately, Yamaha did not seize this opportunity. It is the same price as the MT-07, which has a by-wire throttle, riding modes, traction control and the ability to add an optional quickshifter.

Yamaha XSR700 engine

The XSR700 is powered by the same CP2 crossplane parallel twin engine that powers the same displacement MT and Tenere. ‘Crossplane’ is Yamaha’s way of saying it has a 270-degree firing order. This is a really fun bike that wants the rider to be a hooligan, which is quite at odds with the XSR’s appearance! This is also a cable throttle, so there are no electronic aids to keep you from listening to your inner devil. There are no riding modes or traction control.

Yamaha XSR700 transmission and final drive

A six-speed gearbox is available, and since there’s no by-wire throttle, there’s no quickshifter, even as an option. You’ll need to know what you’re doing here to get the most out of it.

Yamaha XSR700 chassis

The XSR700 shares its steel diamond frame with the MT-07. However, it has a different subframe to match the different styling and seat. The suspension consists of standard forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Only preload adjustment is available, that too, just like the rear. Suspension travel is 5.1 inches at both ends.

This may seem a bit too simple for a modern motorcycle, but it fits with the retro theme. What isn’t retro are the brakes; ABS is standard. The wheels are also alloys with tubeless tires.

Yamaha XSR700 Dimensions

This is a fairly small motorcycle with a wheelbase of 55.3 inches. Still, it has a seat height of 32.9 inches that is slightly taller than competitors like the Kawasaki Z650RS. At the same time, it weighs 410 pounds, which is almost identical to the Kawasaki which has two more cylinders. The 3.7-gallon fuel tank, meanwhile, should be sufficient for most situations.

Yamaha XSR700 Features

Yamaha has kept the XSR simple, and this is reflected in the feature set. It has a circular instrument cluster that is completely digital. This inverted LCD cluster provides all the information you need. Yamaha has also updated it with all-LED lighting, but there’s little else to talk about when it comes to the XSR700’s features.

Yamaha XSR700 Competition

The modern retro roadster segment is steadily expanding and there are quite a few major contenders in the middleweight segment. Notable models include the Kawasaki Z650RS, Honda CB650R, Suzuki GSX-8T and Triumph Trident 660. However, all of these models are packed with electronics, which means we have to throw them out for the sake of this discussion.

There’s another model that follows the blueprint of the XSR700, but goes even further down the retro road. Yes, the RE Continental GT650. There is also a scrambler-type alternative: the Royal Enfield Bear 650. This has an air-cooled engine, a downtube chassis and spoked rims with inner tubes. It even has a 19/17 inch rim combination. Power isn’t its strong point though, as it’s a much slower motorcycle, with lower power and a much higher curb weight. The price difference means it stays in the conversation if you’re on a budget.

Yamaha XSR700 vs Royal Enfield Bear 650

Source: Yamaha Motorsports