Yamaha Announces Retro-Inspired XSR700

[caption id="attachment_47958" align="alignright" width="300"] Forest Green Yamaha XSR700 Scrambler Style Motorcycle[/caption]

There's no doubt the retro craze in the motorcycle manufacturing industry is in full swing. Another modern classic design that pulls its roots from its vintage motorcycles is Yamaha with the XSR700. Chaparral Motorsports posted a few weeks back the emergence of a new model for Yamaha coming in November to dealerships.

This new motorcycle design is heavily based off the vintage-inspired Yamaha MT-07 (FZ-07), but also draws a lot of influence from the Faster Sons concept bike. The name of the motorcycle is certainly tipping its cap to Yamaha's 1970s classic the XS650.

For the XSR700, the engine, frame, suspension and brakes are all the same as on the MT-07. The XSR700 has a 689 cc twin engine with the crossplane 270-degree crank pushing out roughly 74 horsepower with almost 50 pound-feet of torque. This is plenty of power coming from a bike weighing only 410 pounds.

The Yamaha XSR700 pulls plenty of vintage elements from its XS650 days with a retro headlight, aluminum fuel tank, and a tail/seat that is commonly used for café racer style motorcycles. The bike's handlebars closely resemble the Ducati Scrambler, which is no surprise since the XSR700 seems to pay more tribute to the Scrambler than the Faster Sons custom.

[caption id="attachment_47959" align="alignleft" width="300"] 2016 Yamaha XSR700 EU in action[/caption]

Currently, the bike will only be available in Europe for a price range between $6,500 and $7,000. However, there are plans to release the motorcycle in the U.S. with a price tag of about $7,000, which will make this bike an extremely valuable ride for the money.

Yamaha hopes to jump on the retro-inspiration frenzy since the Triumph Bonneville series has received a huge uptick in sales as buyers go for the classic-style motorcycle. Retro designs are huge right now in the industry as Honda recently released its CB1100 classic roadster and BMW with its R-NineT.

The Yamaha XSR700 simply keeps things simple with its design. While it obviously pays tribute with Shinya Kimura's Faster Sons concept bike, the XSR700 has an all in digital gauge designed in a small circular shape, which gives you all your critical information.

With two colors to choose from, Garage Metal and Forest Green, the bike's sleek and simple design will certainly attract plenty of riders who are looking for a modern classic design with all the new parts of a brand new motorcycle. Many buyers in this market are usually searching between 300 and 700 cc engines, which makes the XSR700 ideal for beginner riders as well.

The XSR700 should quickly be a hit with old an new riders alike when it becomes available in November. Highlights of the bike include:

• 700cc parallel-twin from the MT-07
  
• Compact, lightweight chassis
  
• Short 530mm swingarm
  
• Easily customizable, bolt-on rear sub-frame
  
• Rear Monocross horizontal shock system
  
• Standard with ABS
  
• Lightweight 10-spoke aluminum wheels
  
• Two-texture leather seat
  
• Aluminum retro fuel tank
  
• Aluminum fender
  
• Aluminum headlight bracket
  
• Wide tapered back handlebars
  
• Mesh side panels
  
• Stubby rear muffler
  
• Embroidered seat logo
  
• Wide range of customization accessories
  
• Available in Forest Green or Garage Metal
  

Yamaha XSR700 Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zev0x9LIM3A

2016 Yamaha XSR700 Image Gallery