All Tests – XSR700 test: Yamaha surfs the neo retro wave – MNC on the handlebars of the new Yamaha XSR700

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XSR700 test: Yamaha surfs the neo retro wave

All Tests - XSR700 test: Yamaha surfs the neo retro wave - MNC on the handlebars of the new Yamaha XSR700

Born from the collaboration between the designers of Yamaha Motor Europe and Shinya Kimura, Japanese preparer very involved in the Yamaha Yard Built project, the XSR700 brings a neo retro touch to the MT range. MNC was in Sardinia for his trial.

MNC on the handlebars of the new Yamaha XSR700

Although raised, the seat of the new Yamaha XSR700 remains low enough to facilitate access for small drivers, even if it means putting only one foot flat on the ground. Its weight limited to 184 kg (all full!) Also makes it easier for jockeys.

The older ones, for their part, will not feel too cramped on this bike, which is finally adapted to the greatest number of users thanks to the footrests located at the right height, as well as a wide and close handlebar which conditions a upright, relaxed riding position, as well as good front axle control.

From the first turns of the wheels, we perceive the good general balance of the whole. The masses are well distributed and the additional 4 kg (compared to the MT-07) are not felt at all. A slight pressure on the handlebars remains however necessary to register the XSR700 on the angle, which it does with roundness and progressiveness, without restraint or haste..

The turning radius, very correct, for its part facilitates maneuvers in urban cycles and allows you to turn around quickly in a narrow street. A plus for beginners, who will quickly gain confidence in their handlebars.

Instinctive grip

This ease is exacerbated by the tires which provide good feedback to the handlebars, in accordance with suspensions which correctly filter the irregularities of the road surface and calmly absorb shocks when a constraint passes..

The handlebar controls are easy to operate, but only the brake lever has a gap adjustment. Fortunately, the clutch is flexible, with the 6-speed gearbox showing precision and firmness when locking gears, which is also well staged..

In town, the XSR700 accepts cruising on a trickle of gas in 5th or 6th without knocking too much. The throttle control is smooth and precise, associated with a well calibrated electronic injection, which does not deliver jerks when operating at constant speed.

Site regrets, however, that some insidious vibrations appear at the level of the throttle grip in this context, quickly numbing the hands of the most sensitive bikers..

Taken at good speed on the small roads of Sardinia, the XSR700 fully convinced us of the relevance of its engine / chassis homogeneity. Without being a thunderbolt, the Yamaha inline twin does not in fact balk at being whipped as it should when you wring out its throttle grip. !

Of course, its 75 horsepower at 9000 rpm will not propel you into the stratosphere, but they will easily be enough to make you lose your license if you are not careful: pushed to its limits – on the circuit of course -, the XSR700 easily exceeds 210 km / h !

But the "Vmax" is not the vocation of this new Yamaha, above all designed to escape with friends for quiet walks, sometimes interspersed with small arsouilles not too bleeding, never crazy. A bit like the one we did during this press test, behind a more unbridled and facetious opener than usual on this type of event.

Neo-retro but not anemic !

In use, the approval of this twin-cylinder CP2 with the crankshaft set at 270 ° is truly pleasant, with a soft but nevertheless virile exhaust sound when pulling the reports, but above all a frank and vigorous response to the delivery of gas if we move on the right gear.

After 4000 rpm, the cavalry begins to be more present, still gaining force around 6500 rpm, where the maximum torque is located (68 Nm), then continuing to climb with force vocalizations towards the limits of the account -turns and the 10,500 rpm for intervention of the breaker.

In short, a real treat on these winding roads that lead us to the heights of the island, even if it is sometimes necessary to drop a gear to obtain a more energetic recovery when exiting a slow turn or when overtaking more incisive in fast parts.

If fuel consumption can climb to nearly 6 l / 100 km in – very – intensive use, it is around 5.2 l / 100 km in mixed use (consumption measured during this test), i.e. range of about 270 km with the 14 liters contained in the tank.

On the chassis side, the XSR700 has nothing to envy to the MT-07 from which it comes. We find in fact the same round and considerate behavior when setting the angle, despite significantly different tires. Their size does not change: the 180 tire at the rear, in particular, contributes to line stability without too much penalizing general agility.

Same observation at the level of the suspension (not adjustable), a bit flexible in sports use where we observe a too rapid plunge of the fork during braking and a too dry return of the shock absorber during an impact. The suspensions are nevertheless very correct and well suited to peaceful use on the road, as well as to daily intercity trips..

Braking is identical to that of the MT-07, with a slightly shy attack at the front but precise dosage and sufficient power. The rear is quicker to want to block the wheel and therefore to easily trigger the ABS if you apply too much pressure to the brake pedal.

The price of design !

Tempting at will, the XSR700 is undoubtedly an attractive alternative to the MT-07 ABS. However, will the approximately 1200 euros which separate these two models (6499 € for the MT-07 ABS, 7699 € for the XSR 700) be fully justified in the eyes of potential buyers? We can doubt it, especially as the standard MT-07 is still sold at the very attractive price of € 5999 without ABS…

However, there is something for all tastes and all budgets. We will also be quickly fixed, the official launch of the XSR700 to be effective from December 17, 2015. Yamaha France is targeting between 1000 and 2000 units for 2016.

In the meantime, fans of personalization can already virtually configure their – future? – XSR700 by downloading the application (IOS / Android). To your smartphones and tablets !

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