A short while ago, we asked where Yamaha was going with its “Faster Sons” riff. Now we know. Yamaha Europe has announced the production 2016 XSR700 — a bike likely to come to the United States, as well. It shares the 689 cc twin engine with the FZ-07, along with its chassis, suspension and wheels (although the subframe is different to accommodate a flatter, retro-style seat).
Like the FZ-07, the XSR700 is very light weight at a claimed 409 pounds wet. Having just ridden the FZ-07 through Norway, we expect the XSR700 to display similar performance characteristics with a potent engine and nimble handling. You can open the full product brochure with this PDF file, but here is Yamaha’s summary of the new bike, followed by a video:
Born tomorrow
The XSR700 makes a serious statement. Designed to take a timeless feel built on historical icons, matched with tomorrow’s technology for a pure, entertaining riding experience. With deep torque and a super agile chassis, it’s for those who appreciate heritage and love to ride.
The cutting edge 689cc inline 2-cylinder engine features our special ‘crossplane philosophy’ enabling it to develop linear torque for outstanding acceleration. The retro styled XSR700 also benefits from a tight and lightweight chassis for outstanding agility and handling.
The XSR700 takes the best of design from Yamaha’s history in homage to the past but is very much the motorcycle of tomorrow.
Details
- Built for optimum riding enjoyment
- Vintage inspired headlight and rear light unit
- Two-texture leather vintage style seat unit
- Pirelli Phantom tyres with authentic tread pattern
- Outstanding fuel efficiency
- Low dry weight of only 164kg
- Aluminium fuel tank unit
- Liquid-cooled 689cc inline 2-cylinder 4-stroke
- Mass-forward design with sculpted bodywork
- Crossplane philosophy design with 270-degree crank
- Deep and powerful linear torque output
- Dual 282mm front discs with 4-pot calipers and ABS
From the video, while the tank looks abbreviated from the side, but looks fat and right from the riders view. I’m wondering how much the 270-degree firing of the fz07 twin will enhance the riding experience of the car – some xs650 owners have swapped cranks on old 650 motors rephrasing from 360 degree to 270 to achieve the same effect as this new engine. Said to smooth out the xs650s vibey vibes. is the 270 crank different from the fz? Will it potato potato like a HD?
Meh, they copied a Ducati Scrambler.
I like the bike because it’s really different and I can live with the radiator because it’s water cooled. You can always paint the shroud any color you like. But I think the Faster Sons must have been smoking crack when they came up with that LED flashlight tail light mounted on what looks like the last few inches of a Schwinn Stingray fender with something that looks like they sawed it off some other bike for the rest of the abortion shoved into it. I’ll make my own thank you. That said, I bet this bike will be a gas to ride and thats what its all about 🙂
I thought I wanted to get one, until I watched the video, then I was sort of “meh…” Maybe I’d still consider it, hoping no one else sees the video. Wondering if a black surround would help that radiator blend in visually a little better. Geez it looks tacked on.
But we don’t ride the video do we? That’s just marketing. Let’s see if the road testers like it.
I don’t see why everyone seems to hate the silver radiator. To me it breaks up that sea of black in the middle Of the bike. Heck, I’d polish those side covers on it to make it stand out more. Maybe polish the brown clutch cover too. Natural finish wheels might look good too. Then make some color matched covers for under the seat to cover up the brake fluid reservoir and swap on an SR400 headlight and rear fender painted black and it’s done.
Anyone who buys into that “Born Tomorrow” video is soft in the head. There’s nothing remotely retro about this bike. Yamaha is just trying to cash-in on a theme (ditto for the Ducati Scrambler). I enjoy riding real motorcycles, not themes. It will be nice when all those who look at motorcycles as an accessory to their façade just move on to another trend.
The CB1100, Triumph Bonneville: those are retros. I think the point of the video is that this bike is NOT a retro yet manages to capture the “less is more” spirit of simpler times. I feel the same way about the Ducati Scrambler. It isn’t a retro. It is just a simple, minimal bike that pays homage to – but doesn’t try to replicate – designs of the past. That makes them real motorcycles as far as I am concerned.
I was thinking FZ-07 this early spring but now I will wait till I can do a comparo with this XSR thing. If Yamaha dumbs down the engine for the U.S. that will kill it. Nothing in the PDF specifically forbids such an outrageous act. The euro info is for the euro model. Who knows what the U.S. will get? Based on history, I’m worried.
The FZ07 and FZ/FJ09 engines we got were the same spec as the ones in Europe so I don’t think you need to be worried. I’d be more worried that they’ll even bring it here. I think the last bike they brought in that was assembled in Italy was a 2nd gen Zuma 50. The exchange rate with the Euro doesn’t make it a good deal for profit though it is better than in recent years.
Yep, ABS on the FZ’s is the only difference for the Euro stuff.
I like it. The radiator looks a little tacked on. But the rest is bold retro futuristic. I’d get it despite the radiator, in fact I just might.
Benelli has a 600cc 4 cylinder coming with Brembo brakes inverted forks with better styling than this Yamaha..5995.00
I saw that: the BN600R. It looks like a nice bike, though I haven’t heard anything about availability in the US. Stylistically, I prefer this Yamaha (and the FZ-07) to the Benelli, but it looks like a nice bike nonetheless. $6K is pretty darn cheap though, if that will indeed the asking price in the US. I think I read it was 6800 Euros in the European market, so that might not be far off.
I haven’t seen a Benelli dealer in 30 years.
No, it’s a only been a dozen years. The Benellis now are owned by Qianjiang in China (but at least built in Italy)…
I’m not even sure they sell them here anymore.
They are coming..SSR Motorsport Dealers will be getting those units in late fall..Also carrying a BN 302 with 37 hp .The BN600 will HAVE 80 hp..
You will this fall!!
Of course, 99.9% of riders would rather have a 75hp Yamaha than a 80hp Chinese “Benelli.” Good luck with that.
Same was said about the side by sides of CF Motos vs others and atleast in the southwest they are selling well..Same as was said about Hyundai autos but look at them now..Same was said about Honda cars in the late 70s and look at them now..Watch and see..
Is it just me, or did the palpable tension between the guys in that video make anyone else think “Brokeback Garage”?
I’m an old fella. I like it.
It’s not a complete winner, but still a very smart variation on an existing model for Yamaha. The retro market seems to be flourishing, and I myself find the modern/retro market to be even more appealing (i.e. the models that don’t sacrifice performance for retro looks). I think with a few tasteful mods I could be very happy with one of these.
Dear Gentleriders: a wonderful chance to watch you air your views!
But nowhere in the blog did anyone reply to my point: how does this advance the state of the art.
While design, safety, comfort and value have advanced in every other transport field, here we find respondents talking about distinctions which make little sense in terms of getting motorbike manufacturers to tackle real world problems.
You should be able to buy a bike to fit you, not matter what your size or shape or needs. You should demand a saddle/seat adjustable to your own size. You should require easy access to any points on your bike you want to reach. Any time. You should be telling these providers of transport/sport/adventure that you know for a fact that they are not meeting your requirements and they can and MUST do a better job.
And since when has a bike justified costing more than a four-door tin box?
Over to you.
To answer your question, it doesn’t. Who says every new model has to be an advance of the art? I don’t believe this bike pretends to do that. In fact I think it’s just a manufacturer trying to get more out of their initial investment on the engine (a really good one BTW) and basic chassis. If they happen to hit an unserviced sweet spot and sell a few thousand of these a year, fine. If you try to build a one size, fits all, does all bike you will inevitably miss the mark and appeal to almost no one.
On the tin box price. It was reported in May that the average price of a new car in the US is now $33,560! This bike should be less than a third of that and about half of what you can buy a basic low end “S”-box car for.
1. I’m 5’10”, I’m pretty sure this will fit me. If they bring it to the US, I’ll definitely buy, and I’ll change the bars to clip ons or clubmans, it will be nice if the pegs adjust, but I’m sure it will fit me.
2. The cars I buy sure as heck aren’t in the sub $10K range
3. It advances the state of *my* art. I’ve owned much faster bikes (Blackbird, ZX9, etc). But I’m at a point in life where the most fun is in riding a slow bike fast rather than a fast bike slow. I want something closer to my first gen VFR700, or my friend’s Duc 748 I ride now and again: light, tossable, affordable. Able to take a passenger to the beach, able to go out on a Sunday with my friends. I don’t need the latest 18 way adjustable suspension (preload and rebound and I’m happy), I don’t need infinite ground clearance. But I’m not interested in a cruiser. I want a UJM with a little style, something I can customize a bitg to give me that cafe racer I lusted after back in the day with a modern drivetrain.
$7500-ish and a little over 400 lbs? Sold. Too many of these retro bikes are porky, or hitting five figures which gets out of toy territory. This hits all the right notes, I’m four years without a bike and this has me ready to get back in.
Want to see how uninspired this new design is? Stare at the original 1970-72 XS-1 & XS2 for 30 seconds.
For starters, the fuel tank on this concept is too tall on top and at the same time, missing its bottom front portion? It is simply unpleasant to look at. The headlight seems like an after thought as well …
Come on Yamaha, build a proper retro or a real scrambler or a street tracker with this FZ-07 motor. Add good quality suspension and brakes and you will bring many old-time fans back into the fold.
The problem with the tank shape has a lot to do with the frame. It’s not a traditional backbone frame and you can’t hang a saddle tank like the old XS1 had on. The frame is wider than the cylinder head and so it has to sit on top as on later bikes like a RZ350 or FJ1200. So to get 3.7 gallons in it they had to make it a bit funky. It’s not going to have that nice traditional teardrop shape that Bezzi is so fond of drawing in on his impossible creations. It not the most pleasing tank I’ve seen but I’m betting it will look OK or even pretty good in person. We’ll see. And again, this bike is not a “Scrambler” with faux off road pretentions or a street tracker with a near useless 2 gallon tank. It’s just a regular bike like the standards of the old days. The good thing about a standard is that it’s sort of a blank canvas that the buyer can choose the direction they want to go with it. Ride it as is, hang a windshield and some soft bags on it, strip it down and call it a bobber if they like (Yuk). I can see changing some parts like that awful tailight and headlight body and maybe making some nice home made parts like covers in those blank spots under the seat.
You are obviously correct about the frame limiting certain shapes and sizes of tank. But the tanks you mention, the Yamaha RZ and FJ tanks were both really nice compared to this one, demonstrating that it can be done. The other problem bits on this bike are fairly easy to remedy. Changing the tank however, would require major surgery. Maybe it will look better in the flesh as you suggest? I hope so. I really want to like this bike.
They should hire Oberdan Bezzi and fire that team of Transformer watching, origami practitioners that are currently in charge of style and design. That goes for all the Japanese and almost every other manufacturer. Sorry, this is what happens when you hit 50 … now get off my lawn!
Wait till you hit 65. BTW I put a 6′ high fence around my lawn j/k
Agreed on the RZ/FJ tanks. What I’d rather they had done with this bike is to have styled it like more recent standards that we didn’t get in the US such as the 1998 FZ600 Fazer. That was a good looking bike that probably would bridge the generation gap. (He,y I’m 65 too)
Do young people actually like the “New Style” I wonder? Maybe 16 year old sport bike squids with Star Wars Speeder Bike fantasies. But many young enthusiasts seem more captivated by classic cafe racers, scramblers, bobbed bikes and Brat style. Those are all based in retro design. I rarely see young builders taking old classics and turning them into to Cybertronian specials. Even young folks appreciate good design. Good design is timeless … whether you are talking ’68 Bonneville, original 916 or Honda RC30.
Neither retro nor futuristic, it borrows elements from the worst of both designs. I want to like it, but it’s just plain misshapen and borderline homely.
Someone mentioned that they should have simply followed the style of the CB1100. Yep.
Yes, “I want to like it” sums it up for me, as well. I think the problem might be the apparent influence of Japanese customs designer, Shinya Kimura, promoting that disjointed, cobbled-together, crazy appearance (also seen in Roland Sands’ designs). It’s just uncomfortable to look at, at least by my approaching-elderly eyes – but that might be exactly what they’re going for.
I love the style of the CB1100, but hasn’t that been a sales-flop for Honda in the U.S., appealing mostly to old folks (like me)?
Ken we don’t exactly know how much of a success or failure the CB1100 has been since Honda won’t release the figures on how many were made and how many were sold. We do know that the CB1100 DLX is sold out at Honda and darn hard to find at a dealership. We also know that the owners of these bikes praise them beyond the numbers on the spec sheet. CB1100forum.com is the spot to find out info on the bike. BTW we have members from 21 countries on the forum and over 2000 members so the bike has been somewhat successful.
In addition, Honda just did a horrible job (as in nothing) promoting the CB1100. We have riders come up to us at every gas stop and ask what year the bike is and if it’s a restoration, and are totally surprised they are 2013s and 2014s having never seen them before.
Hit the nail on the head. This is an evolution of the ujm that is calculated to capture millennial’s attention. I remember similar comments about the Bolt when it came out..tacked on, fussy, etc…You just dont fit the target demo
Just think if Yamaha designed it like this:
http://ioannisdesign.com/speedjunkies/?p=866
We’d be all like, “What Ducati”?
I didn’t like it at first glance — but it’s growing on me. Really depends on just how low and flat that seat is in real life. I hate the seats on virtually all of the so-called modern bikes.
I am sure it is a nice bike, but it’s not for me. Neither retro nor modern … a bike without a niche.
It’s niche is complexity for complexity’s sake.
I heard a rumor that Yamaha was coming out with an FZ-07; the same concept as the FZ-09 sport tourer. I was hoping it would happen and result in a lighter, less expensive bike with a lower seat height than the FZ-09. I hope this retro thingy is not the truth of that rumor.
Huh? Something lighter than an FZ-07? Less-expensive than an FZ-07? On what planet? That bike is the biggest performance bargain of the century! There’s mixed opinion about the appearance of this new model, but no one disputes (until now) the value proposition of the current FZ-07. You must be thinking ‘FJ,’ but still, how could adding a half-fairing result in a lighter, cheaper bike?
Wait, I guess you mean something – an FJ-07 – lighter than the -09 version. Yep, me too.
The used market is full of examples of that bike, except it’s called the SV650s.
Geeze guys, pay attention to the internets and sesrch for MT07 Tracer and you’ll see the “spy photos” of the bike being tesged in Italy where it’s going to be assembled.
McRider if you google spy shots of Yamaha MT07 you will see the proposed FJ07. Indeed just what you are looking for
I don’t like the current trend toward smaller gas tanks that seems to be the norm in Japanese m’cycles. I’d like to ride more than 120 miles between fill-ups.
I’m with you on that. That has been a trend with most motorcycles it seems, not just Japanese. For me personally, anything less than 180 miles range gets hard to live with after a while.
This one is 3.7 gallons, so figuring you can get 3.0 and a bit out of it safely it should go over 150 miles plus a 10 20 mile cushion between having to stop. That’s perfect for me as it’s only 147 miles from my front door to the Barber Museum!
Personally, I never choose to ride more than 100 miles before stopping for a break. Refilling the tank, at least in the region where I live, is so completely hassle-free, it’s not even worth mentioning. Now, maybe if I didn’t ride a ‘naked bike,’ and had something more comfortable to spend extended time on, I could comprehend peoples’ attitude about having more tank capacity.
The boxy radiator looks like it was just slapped on. Headlamp would look a bit better if its diameter was larger. A few industrial / robo styled panels / shields could be better integrated, made more in a true retro classical style (Triumph 1960’s). Not sure about the digital like speedometer or whatever that gizmo is.
Nice small muffler – how did they manage that? So many new bikes have huge ungainly mufflers.
Overall a decent package which could be made even better.
I think the small muffler is an illusion. We’re seeing the outlet. The actual muffler is a huge stamped sheet metal blob shaped to squeeze into the underside of the chassis. My 1986 Yamaha SRX6 used that trick.
Easy, it’s the same muffler as the FZ-07 with a slightly different outlet cover on it.
I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but this thing looks pretty funky to me. It doesn’t look balanced with the weird tank, extended headlight, retro-round tail light and the odd collection of trim pieces below the tank.
meh – for me it doesn’t get it.
The Bolt looks pretty good, and all they did was copy the 883. All they had to do this time was copy the CB1100.
The Bolt is a slug!
Looks nice, I would like it better if it had a old style crome head light and tail light.
Love it.
As a 66 year old guy who started riding in the early 60’s and has bikes of that era permanently burned into his brain as examples of what a motorcycle should look like, that ain’t bad.
Bob
Man, Yamaha looks unstoppable! The R1, FZs and the others. All of them are fighting for my next purchase. I’ve completely forgot about the Ducati scrambler..
it is slightly overdone. Why couldn’t they do a simple chrome headlight, for instance? btw I’d prefer the Scrambler if it didn’t have the dirt bike thing. I’d prefer this if it were more a classic SR look with one of the FZ engines. I might be able to able to buy the silver one: for some reason the neutral tones hide the slightly garish parts.
I like it but the headlight bucket looks too long/deep to me. I’d almost rather have the FZ-07 headlight on it. Still, really cool! Come to think of it, the headlight bucket shape seems more reminiscent of the mid ’60s Japanese designs. Aluminum tank is really cool. Another bike to have on my wish list!
Looks “pieced together”, but I kind of like it, or at least better than the Gladius or Ninja 650, as someone else commented. I have been seriously considering the FZ version but I’ll look at this one too, as I lean retro.
Music sound track in the video is not “mysterious” enough for me.
/sarc off
Much better than the other nakeds, that look like angry insects, just with less contiguous fairings, and headlights drooping down to the front tire.
I get that it is retro inspired… retro styling, but with modern hardware. I like it. But I am surprised nobody else has complained of the instrument gauge. It looks like a giant Casio watch! I would hope they would throw two round analog gauges on it. put all the digital gee whiz inset in one or both the gauges, but just give me a couple needles to look at, not a clunky chunky bar graph that will likely take some time to get used to reading on the fly. (Hint – you shouldn’t have to “get used to” critical info on a cycle).
Other than that… Me likey!
Oh, and a black radiator is a good idea mentioned repeatedly…
Or, if they wanted it to stand out, paint it green and put the racing stripes on it as well!
Yep. It’s like a Bolt crept up on a sleeping FZ 07 and…well, you get the idea.
yeah, it is that ugly.
I was gonna say this is another bike for Grandpappy but after taking a closer look I think this bike will appeal to both old and young. I’m somewhere in the middle and I have to say I kinda like it. Nice blend of old and new. And because every comment needs a good grumble or request for something different than what is being offered, I wish this thing had the FZ-09 motor instead.
I would choose the XSR over the FZ if given the choice. It’s just a little more appealing to me.
Right idea, half-assed execution. A “retro” bike which highlights the radiator and rear brake reservoir! Two body panels below the tank? A rear fender that doesn’t wrap around the wheel? Fenders that don’t match the tank? Single instrument pod? Tacky.
In terms of function, style must give way: brakes, tubeless tires etc. But why only a 3.5 gallon tank?
I like it but the video belongs to that fast-developing genre known as hipster excess…
If Yamaha is trying to tap in to the Ducati,Triumph, Guzzi retro market, they missed the mark.
When the water cooled Bonnie is released I predict sales will be below expectations.
Retro and radiator shouldn’t be used in the same sentence . . . . . . .
I think that it is a nice looking bike, though I wish they would have blacked out the radiator. What I like most about the design is that it is “vintage inspired” as opposed to a replica of a past bike which is what retro efforts from other manufacturers typically yield. It isn’t designed to look like an XS650: it is its own machine.
What he said. Good effort. Should sell.
Yamaha has done this before. Anyone remember the Fazer 700 or TDM 800? I thought so.
This is probably a wonderfully functional motorcycle. It just doesn’t stir the soul.
I remember both. I believe especially the TDM 800 was a big success overseas, where people still buy motorcycles. The sooner we accept that the US is a minor motorcycle market, the sooner we’ll understand why they look the way they do.
As new bikes go, I think this one is great. I like that they’ve combined retro flavor to a thoroughly modern bike. I may have to make some arrangements..
Yeah they both became hard to find cult bikes when people realized that they were really good and no more new ones were coming. I lucked out and got a nice TDM that was only 9 years old.
I’ve read the seat height is over 32 inches. Which is too tall for it to capture much market share. There are only so many people who will buy a retro bike because they rode something like it years ago. The market for these bikes is (or should be) new riders getting into the lifestyle, and new riders benefit greatly from lower seats. And if they want to go after women (which they don’t seem interested in doing), they need a lower seat given the median height of women is normally stated as 5’4″. If a large percentage of your target market can’t ride the bike comfortably, you will lose that market, as well as any follow on sales that may happen in following years as the market develops.
For (most) men, and experienced riders, this is indeed a very tempting bike if it’s what you want next. Likely more reliable than a Ducati, and with a much larger dealer network.
It isn’t
getting closer…doesn’t need the odd fuel injector flat slab covers as much as it needs a nice retro body color side cover for the rear master cylinder and the empty space on the left side… and twin meters fwd of the bars where they used to be…
Where do I send my check?!?
Retro? I think not.
They actually almost put a real seat on it! Nice.
I think from a styling standpoint, a more traditional rear fender would have fir the overall look better.
I’d say they came about 80 percent close to hitting the retro mark.
It doesn’t look retro at all to me. And someone finally gives us a round headlight but figures 4″ is big enough. Heck, the one on my Seca is 8″ and is brighter than all my modern bike lights. Plus, it looks “right.”
All the tacked on parts look silly and why a round tail light? That looks dumb too. It isn’t even red! If they went a similar direction to Triumph’s Bonneville SE – retro style with modern brakes/suspension – that would be a winner. I guess if I had to chose, I’d still go with this or the regular model over a Ninja 650 or what the other makers offer – only because it’s a Yamaha.
First I was going to contradict you, then I remembered the early 80s Seca XJ650 Euro shaftie had 8″ headlight. I still got laying around the garage the 8″ light from 82-83 Suzuki GS1100. I bet modern head lights barely way 1/10th what this ancient piece weighs.
Better but still a ways to go. Parts are classic but design flow is weak. Why don’t they just use Oberdan Bezzi ‘ s design and get it over with? Do that and my check is in the mail.
It would be nice to see a premium version, with better suspension, brakes …..
Looks like a neat somewhat retro alternative to the FZ-07 and a response to the success of the Scrambler. Hopefully it will be priced like the FZ-07. Judging from the chatter in the R1 and Streetfighter articles below, Yamaha should sell thousands of these things. I’ll bet they’ll be unbeatable at the track too when all the great riders finally get their hands on a bike with half the horsepower.
Nothing Retro/Scrambler about this bike.
Water cooled w/ huge radiator? Nope.
Monoshock? Nope
Exhaust slung below engine? Nope.
Ducati & Triumph have nothing to worry about. Shame the SR400 is so exorbitantly expensive, that is a proper retro bike. This just misses the mark.
In all fairness, there is often a difference between what is marketed as a “retro bike” and an “old bike.”
I like it, but please paint the radiator black.
I like it plain and simple the way a bike should be!
I’ll take mine in green, with ABS please.
Looks good to me. Looks like fun.
Nice! I like the FZ07 in concept but not the origami space bug styling. This is MUCH more to my taste. “Homage” is fitting because it’s still semi modernish looking. And finally a round headlight!
I like it. That flat rear subframe is right on for street riding. The silver one fits the bike well. A kind of right out of the custom shop look. There are elements that look a little odd, but that is the idea, a rough, shop look. – The main thing is to get more riders out on the road. In New England there are FEW motorcycles out riding. Mostly Harleys. Young people are still glued to Facebook etc. All in all, a nice machine. I happen to like the mechanical look because it gives you a lot to look at and talk about when you stop somewhere.
I think they should make it kick start only and price it at $12,000.00 in typical Yamaha /Honda fashion. It looks like they raked up a pile of parts , sprayed a little glue on them , and threw them at a frame. Of course the cruiser headlight and the NEVER TO BE centerstand kinda kill it too.
Crossplane and radiator as homage to the almighty XS650 ???? I aint buyin’ none of this.
I’m sure it would be fun to ride, but it’s butt ugly. Needs a sleek looking air cooled engine, not a mess of piping and big radiator out front.
I like the exposed plumbing and naked rad look on this offering. Nice touch with the cute little above the fender fork brace.
I am too tall, old and fat for that bike, I would look like a gorilla riding a circus tricycle. I am patiently waiting for the XJR1300 to show up on our shores.
I like the new scrambler concept much more than the gs bikes. Lighter weight, lower seat hieght, greater practicality.
It’s okay, but I’m looking for a dual sport. I very much like the 360 pound dry weight, though.
NOW they’re on the right track! My last new bike bike purchase was along time ago – a left over SRX600 in 1987 to be exact – after decades of used bikes I might be ready for a brand-new bike…though I do hope Yamaha has a little nicer tail light in the accessory catalog, the stock one – blah!
Looks like an FZ07 Bolt. Bring back the RD400 and I’m in.
Not bad, not bad at all. Though I would want hard luggage and a small screen. I suppose the upcoming FJ will have that.
I like it. Aluminium tank is a really nice touch.
I find this and the FZ07 much more appealing than the Gladius, Ninja 650, or CBR650F.
I can understand why people think it’s ugly, but I think it’s gorgeous. Just as pretty as the Scrambler, but in a more techy way. It looks to have a much nicer seat than the FZ, though I wouldn’t pay an extra $1000 for just that. It would be nice if this had some extra performance or better suspension or something to make it work extra money. Though some are saying only $500 more which would make it a helluva bargain. It’s gained over 10lbs over the FZ though.
Of course, I really need a sport tourer or mini ADV, so this is me waiting for the FJ-07 or an XTZ700.
The radiator ruins the entire look! Sort of like a giant pimple on an otherwise beautiful face.
The radiator is ugly! Should have been painted black, at least!
Beautiful, I would gladly buy it but not before a test drive. There are many bikes that look well on paper but are completely different on the road.
Not the best bike to build a retro. Looks hideous!
nice
Looks like a reaction to the Ducati Scrambler.
That’s AOK by me. Ducati looks, more or less, with Yammy price/reliability/dealer network.
How does this advance the state of design, or is it just another exercise in tickling the fading minds of the last generation of gentleriders?
Compared with bikes with more adequate lighting, no naked chain flapping in the gritty breeze, better protection against dirt and road slime for the engine and better pillion accommodation, this design represents 1950’s thinking.
If pricing is your sole reason for buying this bike or you say: “I just like it”, you should know you can do much better.
If it has modern engine, suspension, brakes and handling, how does this make it for “gentleriders” only? Lower weight and price are just a plus! I’ve had fully faired bikes and believe me, 45 minutes of removing and replacing plastic to change the oil filter wasn’t fun.
“this design represents 1950’s thinking”
Well, that is kind of the point, isn’t it? Except with next century performance, refinement and reliability.
Exactly. This is just a regular bike. It’s not a “Scrambler”, an ADV bike a Sport Tourer or a Supersport. There was a time when that’s all you could buy like in the 50’s. It’s just a standard bike with a modern drivetrain. Yay! Are there some things I’d change? Yep, but on the whole it’s what I’ve been waiting for in a standard bike.
Honestly, there is something to be said for the simplicity of of the bikes from the 60’s and 70’s. For one thing, they were actually comfortable. I really like this concept, modern features but a pretty simple look. If I had room in the garage, I’d probably have to have one.
Passenger seat seems a bit small.
The bobbed tail is all the rage these days
If I make my girlfriend ride on that, there will be plenty of “rage” (from my girlfriend and anybody following us).
Guess it only works if your passenger also has a bobbed tail..
My aging eyes still fails to spot anything looking like abs hardware…..
It’s a bizarre design. All nice an retroish from the tank/seat and up. But as if some mad scientist were set loose down below. I’m sure it will be a quick handler, though. And the ergos look much less cramped than the Scrambler.
Click on the right side image of the bike to enlarge that photo, and you can see in the hub of the front wheel the perferated disk that triggers the magnetic sensor.
His aging eyes may have missed the disc, but he his probably ultimately correct. The European Yamahas, which this one is, have ABS while ours don’t even get it as an option. If we do get this bike on this side of the Atlantic, it is unlikely to have ABS.
You can see telltale slots at the center of the front brake disc.
Myself, I think the bike looks kinda’ dorky.
It simply looks like an FZ-07 with different fuel tank, seat, and side covers tacked on, and doesn’t make the bike look more appealing to me at all.
At least, with the bike being a restyled and re-designated FZ-07, it will still be very fun to ride (assuming the shape of the fuel tank and seat don’t prove to be ergonomic disasters).
I wonder where the additional 12 pounds of weight came from.
The ABS pump and other hardware plus a few added metal parts is where the extra weight come from. I’ll accept that to get the ABS and that alloy tank.
Agreed, I’m sure that it will retain the good dynamic qualities of the FZ07 (the mechanicals are the same after all), but the retro bits do look a bit “tacked on”. I really don’t care for the headlight and tail light, the proportions are off. The headlight housing should be shorter, more of a bowl and the tail light could be better integrated, it looks like an afterthought. I also would like to see the instrument cluster over the head light rather than on the bar mount. They did do a nice job on the seat in my opinion.
Were I a hipster, I would much rather have one of these than an older Honda CB. Gapping points at the side of the road at night might make a good bar story, but as a real-life experience it sucks. The only downside I can see to this is that it probably comes with Yamaha-signature mushy suspension.
The suspension is the same as the FZ07 and the one of those I rode wasn’t mushy at all. The tires ae interesting as they look just like old bias ply Pirelli Phantoms which were pretty good in their day but these are a new radial version.
Why not make something like a Seca III with a fairing? Why does everything have to be a retro or naked?
You’ve must not have seen the spy photos of the MT07 Tracer that we might get as an FJ07. That one has a fairing. Still you’d think they could do a sport version with a half fairing Like the Seca.
Looks like they’re going after the success of the Ducati Scrambler?
This might be a way to scratch that itch without giving up the reliability…
I’d be more interested if it had the FZ9 engine.
But that wouldn’t be a homage to the XS650 twin that this one is supposed to be. The cast alloy frame on the 09 doesn’t really lend itself to the retro look either.
True. I hadn’t considered that!
Its not much of an homage at this point, a tank and tires?…too much “stuff” mucking up the looks.
IMHO