Current owners: What's the pros and cons of the bike?

14886 Views 19 Replies 15 Participants Last post by DigitalStorm, Nov 21, 2018

YamahaXSR700

Discussion Starter · Mar 30, 2016

Just seeking further reviews from current owners about the bike.

As I've been seen threads about heat issues to other things.

If you don't mind to share your experience here, as I'm a potential buyer, but if there's too many issues, I'll change my mind and look at other bikes.

Thanks!

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

krm700

· #2 · Mar 30, 2016

I'll be very precise without beating about the bush.

Things that I like:

1- Very easy to ride, does not seem to weight 186kg.
2- Torque is right available from low rpm and very linear.
3- It's got a very relaxing riding position.
4- "You'll make new friends at traffic lights, does not pass unnoticed."
5- The bike moves really well when cornering.

Things I don't like:

1- The seat kills my tailbone, comfort wise is not a good seat, at least for me. (I'm taking it to upholster it with gel and viscoelastic).
2- Rear suspension is a bit fluffy for my own taste, same with front suspension. I guess, changing the rear suspension to an Öhlins would solve it, is it really worth it?
3- Not comfortable at high speeds due to the lack of a windshield. (As it is with all bikes without one).

If your aim is to drive fast as **** and cornering as there's no tomorrow, don't buy it, is not your bike. On the other hand, if you enjoy riding while enjoying the landscape and you're looking for an easy bike to ride, go ahead!!!

As for the heat issues, what exactly are those issues? Is true that when riding in the city the cooling fan it triggers quite often, other than that...so far so good.

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Reactions: 2

Ptsteve

· #3 · Mar 30, 2016

Hi, I concur with all 5 points from KRM700...BUT, I do disagree about the seat.
Personal choice I understand, but I tried several bikes out first and the XSR was, in my opinion, the most comfortable. The MT09 was rock hard, as was the Tracer.
I've ridden for several hours at a time on my XSR and had no discomfort - and I class myself as having a bony bum!
I find the riding position very relaxed.
I'm assuming that you haven't tested one yet? Let us know what you think?

Reactions: 1

Firenze

· #4 · Mar 30, 2016

Hi,

After over 1000kms, I agree with KRM on most points, but I agree with Ptsteve about the seat.
I passed my license on a MT 07 and the seat used to be really hurt after riding for 1h.
I haven't had any problem with the XSR.

On the cons :
- I really wish the stock exhaust sound was a bit louder / exciting
- I find the Indicator and Warning buttons quite hard to reach and use, much less intuitive than on the Honda S Wing I used to have. Just a placement issue which means I need to stretch my thumbs more than I should.

Cheers

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Reactions: 1

RMD

· #5 · Mar 30, 2016

I agree with the above points, and a couplr more I would add:-

Pros
- very nice handling, especially for low speed manoeuvres and filtering.
- reasonably good brakes considering the style of bike.

Cons
- Engine feels lumpy at time, probably a trait of a twin (I've always had inline 4s).

It depends on the style of bike you want to ride. I fancied a different style of bike after years of sports bikes, but I'm not sure if it's for me. I may keep it for a year but I have my eye on an S1000R - once I can convince the wife to allow me to blow that kind of money on a bike!

Reactions: 1

Mr. Garcia

· #6 · Mar 30, 2016

Ptsteve said:
Hi, I concur with all 5 points from KRM700...BUT, I do disagree about the seat.

Yup, agreed aswell.

The bike is superb. What I would only add as a negative point is the default pipe sound. I think it is a must to get a new one to make it sound properly.

And as a pro, I would say the infinite modifcations you can get easily done in the bike.

Reactions: 1

Crabsticks

· #7 · Mar 31, 2016

Some nitpicky cons from me:
- The tank is aluminum( I think) so magnets don't stick, this limits your available tank bag options. The fuel cap also seems to be sunk compared to over tanks so fixing bags to it might be a bother.
- The gauge is too low/close to rider. Plus my Kriega tank bag when full blocks most of it from my view
- Hardly any room under seat for extra tools and/or decent cable management.
- Seat lock sticky, I keep bending my key
- Horn button is too close to indicator switch ( I think this is true of all bikes)

Reactions: 1

KaptinOrsum

· #8 · Mar 31, 2016

It's been asked and spotted after watching videos. The handlebars do flex back and forward a good 1.15" when pushing up and away and pulling down towards.

It doesn't affect the ride, but you can *rattle* them up and down. The benefit is that you get no vibration.

Sit on the bike, level. Riding position, feet on the floor. Grabbing both grips, push the bars away from your crotch, and pull down as though you're lupping yourself up for a chin up.

I've sat on 6 XSR's now and they're all the same.

Also, if you snapp of the throttle when moving, the front end will dive 1-2" it seems before it aborbs the weight shift.

Reactions: 1

YamahaXSR700

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 31, 2016

krm700 said:
I'll be very precise without beating about the bush.

Things that I like:

1- Very easy to ride, does not seem to weight 186kg.
2- Torque is right available from low rpm and very linear.
3- It's got a very relaxing riding position.
4- "You'll make new friends at traffic lights, does not pass unnoticed."
5- The bike moves really well when cornering.

Things I don't like:

1- The seat kills my tailbone, comfort wise is not a good seat, at least for me. (I'm taking it to upholster it with gel and viscoelastic).
2- Rear suspension is a bit fluffy for my own taste, same with front suspension. I guess, changing the rear suspension to an Öhlins would solve it, is it really worth it?
3- Not comfortable at high speeds due to the lack of a windshield. (As it is with all bikes without one).

If your aim is to drive fast as **** and cornering as there's no tomorrow, don't buy it, is not your bike. On the other hand, if you enjoy riding while enjoying the landscape and you're looking for an easy bike to ride, go ahead!!!

As for the heat issues, what exactly are those issues? Is true that when riding in the city the cooling fan it triggers quite often, other than that...so far so good.

Thanks for the thorough break down @krm700!

Greatly appreciate it!

Glad to hear the bike doesn't feel heavy and easy maneuver when cornering.

Seating problems? Is it affecting your tail bone because of pot holes or overall sitting on the seat is affecting it.

Definitely a cruiser type lol I would like to enjoy the air and what's around me.

YamahaXSR700

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 31, 2016

Ptsteve said:
Hi, I concur with all 5 points from KRM700...BUT, I do disagree about the seat.
Personal choice I understand, but I tried several bikes out first and the XSR was, in my opinion, the most comfortable. The MT09 was rock hard, as was the Tracer.
I've ridden for several hours at a time on my XSR and had no discomfort - and I class myself as having a bony bum!
I find the riding position very relaxed.
I'm assuming that you haven't tested one yet? Let us know what you think?

Indeed, I haven't checked out the bike in person yet, soon though! Gotta try out that seating.

That's good to hear that the riding position was relaxing. I guess I can well assume that it has good ergonomics.

bbninja

· #11 · Apr 1, 2016

I mostly agree with the pros all the fellows mentioned above. I would like to pinpoint the engine power. Coming from a 4 cylinder Yamaha with the same horsepower, I was amazed by the torque which is present from the beginning to the end.
Two things are on the downside, in my humble opinion.
The quality and size of the switches, turn signals, light are very small, difficult to handle with winter gloves on and give the impression of cheap material.
The other one is the price off the accessories. But you can always turn to aftermarket parts.

All in all it is a value for money bike with great handling and engine.

Reactions: 1

YamahaXSR700

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 1, 2016

bbninja said:
I mostly agree with the pros all the fellows mentioned above. I would like to pinpoint the engine power. Coming from a 4 cylinder Yamaha with the same horsepower, I was amazed by the torque which is present from the beginning to the end.
Two things are on the downside, in my humble opinion.
The quality and size of the switches, turn signals, light are very small, difficult to handle with winter gloves on and give the impression of cheap material.
The other one is the price off the accessories. But you can always turn to aftermarket parts.

All in all it is a value for money bike with great handling and engine.

Thanks @bbninja!

I could imagine the difficulty of pressing those buttons with them thick gloves on lol.

But then again, I won't be doing any winter driving. So I guess it should be okay?

Ribs

· #13 · Apr 4, 2016

PROS:
Quick
Fun
Nimble
Wheelies
comfy seat and riding position

Cons:
THE HANDLEBARS! god you cant fit anything on them, satnav, charging port
speedo is positioned terribly, cant be seen without looking down

Reactions: 2

YamahaFan

· #14 · Apr 4, 2016

Ribs said:
PROS:
Quick
Fun
Nimble
Wheelies
comfy seat and riding position

Cons:
THE HANDLEBARS! god you cant fit anything on them, satnav, charging port
speedo is positioned terribly, cant be seen without looking down

i remember seeing some reviews mention that and it's something I would find hard to get used to, being what you will always see and always have to deal with, but at least not as bad as having weird ergo's and seating. Yamaha might be able to improve the bars in a future year.

Reactions: 1

GogglesMcoy

· #15 · Apr 5, 2016

Has anyone tried changing out the handlebars for more space? Maybe even add the Rox Bar Risers so you can pivot it to your liking.

RedDog

· #16 · Apr 5, 2016

The first thing I did when I got the bike home was to rotate the handlebars a couple of inches forward.
The demo bike and mine were both set up with the bars too close to the rider and too low.
Then had to spend ages getting the mirrors rotated back so I could see behind.

Ptsteve

· #17 · Apr 5, 2016

YamahaXSR700 said:
Indeed, I haven't checked out the bike in person yet, soon though! Gotta try out that seating.

That's good to hear that the riding position was relaxing. I guess I can well assume that it has good ergonomics.

Hey, book a test ride and prepare to smile!

Reactions: 1

DigitalStorm

· #18 · Nov 20, 2018

Stance - Sits low at the rear
Seat - can be sore on the tailbone, think this is a consequence of the stance
Cons
Mirrors - just don’t like them or their position
Dash buttons shouldn’t have to cross the dash to press them or take hand off throttle to accomplish the same.
Bars - quite wide for narrow filtering
Exhaust - the sound of it is akin to burbling. Exhausts should not do this.

Pros
Fuel efficiency
Servicing intervals
Commuting
Reliability.
It’s average at handling because of the suspension and general stance
Cheap to buy and insure

It’s just an honest bike. No frills or bells and whistles and looks ok.

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Tigerjohn

· #19 · Nov 21, 2018

DigitalStorm said:
Dash buttons shouldn’t have to cross the dash to press them or take hand off throttle to accomplish the same.
Exhaust - the sound of it is akin to burbling. Exhausts should not do this.

It’s just an honest bike. No frills or bells and whistles and looks ok.

I agree with the above. The dash buttons still make me curse after nearly 3 years of riding the XSR! But I think it looks far more than OK - it's subjective, but I think it's one of the best looking mid sized bikes on the market, and certainly one of the best for 'price to smiles ratio'. You can easily add some frills, but perhaps not bells and whistles!

DigitalStorm

· #20 · Nov 21, 2018

I’m spoiled by my brutale dragster rr 🙂

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