Motorcycle specifications YamahaXSR 700 2018 Harnessing emotions

To offer a machine with character, to have fun with a bike inspired by the values and style of Yamaha's past, to combine today's technology with the flavour of creations from the past. That's how you could describe the"Faster Sons" philosophy. Tempting as it is to explain in our own words a Japanese idea, often imbued with references, sensations and concepts difficult for a European to grasp. But this first creation - the XSR 700 - is the result of an embrace between Yamaha and Shinya Kimura, the famous Japanese tuner. Here, Yam is fully committed to the neo-retro roadster niche. Its XSR takes on a symbolic name, and joins the ranks of BMW Nine-T and Ducati Scrambler.

but where does it come from? The company with the tuning forks presents it as a tribute to the XS 650, a famous model covering the dawn of the 70s. A bit like the SR 400, which was put back in the catalog? No, not at all. The SR has been the same bike for ages. The XSR, on the other hand, is based on an MT-07 with a strong taste of old-school preparation. Could this be the descendant of the XS 650? Let's digress for a moment and look at this illustrious machine from the '70s.

the year was 1969. At the time, Yamaha had only 2-strokes in its range, with the largest displacement reaching 350 cm3. The arrival of the XS 650 was a revolution in the range: it was the first large-displacement model for the manufacturer, and the engine was a 4-stroke. Elegant and slender (for its cubic capacity), the beauty didn't hit French roads until 1971.
More than 40 years later, how is the XSR 700 passing the torch?

it's interesting to see the extent to which the evolution in displacement has shaken things up. The XS 650 was Yamaha's biggest cube; today, the MT-07 is an entry-level bike, despite its 45 cm3 increase. It's a top-seller in France, and deservedly so. Playful, with a lively, super-fun engine and as agile as a ballerina, it's a pleasure to ride. As the XSR 700 has the same chassis and engine, you'll find the same performance and the same pleasure in riding this bike. The riding position is more relaxed, with handlebars bent further back.

So it's the look that's going to sway us one way or the other. The XSR asserts its "Faster Sons" identity with a stylishly worked tank, a retro headlight recessed in a half-bus, a double-textured leather seat, and perforated plates covering the injection system and electronics.
The round headlight at the rear is nice, old-school style, but all plastic is average. A metal part would be much more appropriate. The aluminum radiator cover is a real eye-catcher; wouldn't more discretion be better?
Let's stop grumbling for a moment, and appreciate the opportunity to ride a neo-retro machine at a great price. Admittedly, the XSR 700 is about 1,000 euros more expensive than the MT-07, but still well below the price of a BMW Nine-T. We also appreciate the little goodies, such as the XSR700 inlay on the back of the seat, the XSR logo on the tank, the stitching on the seat, the minimalist dashboard, etc... and, as a very chauvinistic bonus, this bike is assembled at the MBK factory in St-Quentin.

like the Bolt, the XSR is also open to customization - the XV 950 Racer setting an example. The bolt-on rear frame has been designed with this in mind. And the owner will be able to maintain the spirit of the XS 650. Because for the moment, apart from a little engine architecture (parallel twin 4-stroke), the silhouette of the seat and the curvature of the handlebars, the resemblance between the two bikes is more a matter of imagination than anything else. If we were to accentuate the temporal bridge with spoked rims, two exhaust pipes running along the sides, chrome mudguards and a pair of tires... Oh no, the Pirelli Phantoms already have the treads from another era.
If you're in the mood for a workshop, a catalog of accessories is available, and several tuners are working on "Yard Built" parts.

*recall campaign*****
On July 31, 2018, Yamaha launched a recall campaign for its MT07s as well as its on-road ' Tracer 700 ' and neo-retro ' XSR700 ' variants.
The screws securing the drive chain housing to the swingarm could loosen and fall out due to vibrations while riding the vehicle. In addition, there was a possibility that once the fixing screws had fallen out, the chain case would break when it hit the drive chain. In extreme cases, the broken part of the chain guard could fall onto the road and hinder traffic. To counter this, Yamaha has launched a recall campaign to replace the chain case spacers and fixing screws.

For the French market, a total of 8,871 machines have been recalled.

1. Machines concerned :

- MT07 model 2018 (B4C1) with serial numbers between RM172 0000301 and RM172 0010132.
- MT07 model 2018 (B8M1) with serial numbers between RM182 0000301 and RM182 0006129.

- Tracer 700 model 2016 (BC61) with serial numbers between RM141 0000101 and RM141 0015335.
- Tracer 700 model 2016 (BC62) with serial numbers between RM151 0000101 and RM151 0002418.
- Tracer 700 model 2017 (B7K1) with serial numbers between RM141 0011201 and RM141 0014971.
- Tracer 700 model 2018 (BC64) with serial numbers between RM141 0025104 and RM141 0025544.
- Tracer 700 model 2018 (BC65) with serial numbers between RM151 0005101 and RM151 0005380.
- Tracer 700 model 2018 (B1K1) with serial numbers between RM152 0000101 and RM152 0000180.

- XSR700 model 2016 (B341) with serial numbers from RM111 0000101 to RM111 0007451.
- XSR700 model 2016 (B342) with serial numbers between RM121 0000101 and RM111 0000908.
- XSR700 model 2016 (B344) with serial numbers between RM111 0001662 and RM111 0007114.
- XSR700 model 2016 (B345) with serial numbers between RM121 0000182 and RM121 0000868.
- XSR700 model 2017 (B347) with serial numbers between RM111 0008102 and RM111 0011135.
- XSR700 model 2017 (B348) with serial numbers between RM121 0002101 and RM121 0002700.
- XSR700 model 2018 (B34A) with serial numbers between RM111 0018101 and RM111 0020254.
- XSR700 model 2018 (B34B) with serial numbers between RM121 0003101 and RM121 0003701.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos