Things I don't like about my XSR.....

22090 Views 40 Replies 27 Participants Last post by XSRD, Aug 13, 2021

Tigerjohn

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2016

OK, so we're all agreed that the XSR 700 is a fantastic bike. It rides brilliantly and it's a real stunner to look at. But what about those little niggles - the irritating little things that you wish Yamaha had ironed out at prototype stage?

Here's two for starters:

The LH switchgear is awful. Cancelling the indicators is too 'hit & miss' and the horn button is far too close to the turn signals.

Why are the speedo display buttons not on the LH side of the speedo, where they could be reached far more easily when on the move? This is such a basic error, it beggars belief. The positioning can't have been designed by a biker, surely.

Now over to you..... (but I do love my XSR!)

Reactions: 3

1 - 20 of 41 Posts

Tigerjohn

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jul 23, 2016

and another thing......

The exhaust note! Why does my XSR sound like a scooter, yet Triumph's Street Twin sounds fantastic? They're both parallel twins and both utilise a 270deg firing angle, so why the huge discrepancy in their sounds? (For what it's worth, I've ridden them both and much prefer the XSR).

Reactions: 2

Jul

· #3 · Jul 24, 2016

The thing that bother me the most is the positioning of footrests, their position while riding is pretty good but once stopped that's a pain for legs, it's really not ergonomic in my point of view. Even after few months of riding I still often hurt my calf while stoping... Am I the only one?

Reactions: 1

Tigerjohn

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 24, 2016

Jul said:
, The thing that bother me the most is the positioning of footrests, their position while riding is pretty good but once stopped that's a pain for legs

Best to put your feet on the ground once stopped! Ha ha!:laugh:

Jul

· #5 · Jul 24, 2016

Tigerjohn said:
Jul said:

, The thing that bother me the most is the positioning of footrests, their position while riding is pretty good but once stopped that's a pain for legs

Click to expand...

Best to put your feet on the ground once stopped! Ha ha!

Ah ah I meant that when my feet are on the ground, I often touch them inadvertently with my calf... As far as I don't have to buy these expensive thing for tracks

http://www.planete-yam.com/accessoires-xsr-700/157396-commandes-reculees-xsr-700.html

See less See more

swissXSR

· #6 · Jul 25, 2016

2

Design Flaw: Chain Slider

What I don't like about my bike is how Yamaha designed the chain slider. The chain slider is mounted on the top side of the swing arm and does not prevent the chain from grinding on the swing arm itself (which is its main task)! This causes the paint to get scratched off and makes it an easy target for rust.

The same problem is mentioned in many MT-07 (FZ-07) forums. A lot of MT riders struggled with rust below the chain slider and some of them had to replace the whole swing arm! (Guarantee claim, Yamaha beard the costs)

The pictures attached are taken from a German MT-07 forum and show the issue with this design flaw! Check your bike!

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Druid

· #7 · Jul 25, 2016

swissXSR said:
What I don't like about my bike is how Yamaha designed the chain slider. The chain slider is mounted on the top side of the swing arm and does not prevent the chain from grinding on the swing arm itself (which is its main task)! This causes the paint to get scratched off and makes it an easy target for rust.

The same problem is mentioned in many MT-07 (FZ-07) forums. A lot of MT riders struggled with rust below the chain slider and some of them had to replace the whole swing arm! (Guarantee claim, Yamaha beard the costs)

The pictures attached are taken from a German MT-07 forum and show the issue with this design flaw! Check your bike!

The rust in the second pic has probably fallen off that chain. it's seriously in need of a clean and lube.

Reactions: 1

swissXSR

· #8 · Jul 25, 2016

Druid said:
The rust in the second pic has probably fallen off that chain. it's seriously in need of a clean and lube.

Yeah maybe, but it seems obvious to me that sooner or later this part of the swing arm will start to rust:frown2:

Jack

· #9 · Jul 27, 2016

In order of frustration:
1. sound, or better NO sound
2. controls on right side of the screen (which idiot made this decision?)
3. horn to close to LR-indicator button (pushed horn twice yesterday making my friend driving in front of my wonder if something was wrong)

Reactions: 1

ryano

· #10 · Jul 27, 2016

They put the buttons on the right to try to stop you from playing with them WHILE you're riding. It is very much on purpose.

Otherwise people will be bored on the highway and try to do something stupid like adjust their clock and run in to the back of a car.

My only issue is the minimal 'haptic' feedback given by the switching of the indicator.

Tigerjohn

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 28, 2016

ryano said:
They put the buttons on the right to try to stop you from playing with them WHILE you're riding.

I agree that adjusting displays on the move would be foolish. But, Yamaha are being naive if they think riders won't toggle through the menu while riding- it's not realistic to pull over to change from, say, clock to ambient temp or trip mileage. It's a pity the menu scroll button wasn't incorporated into the handlebar switch gear. As it is, their attempt to dissuade us has probably increased risk rather than reduced it!

Reactions: 1

ryano

· #12 · Jul 28, 2016

Tigerjohn said:
ryano said:

They put the buttons on the right to try to stop you from playing with them WHILE you're riding.

Click to expand...

I agree that adjusting displays on the move would be foolish. But, Yamaha are being naive if they think riders won't toggle through the menu while riding- it's not realistic to pull over to change from, say, clock to ambient temp or trip mileage. It's a pity the menu scroll button wasn't incorporated into the handlebar switch gear. As it is, their attempt to dissuade us has probably increased risk rather than reduced it!

I agree with you. Unfortunately there are too many people that sue in this day and age.

As long as yamaha have 'tried' to dissuade people from doing it, then they have done what they can and the courts will see it that way. If they put the buttons on the left, someone could sue as it would seem that yamaha is inviting the rider to use the buttons while riding.

Unfortunately the minority ruin it for us.

Anthony

· #13 · Jul 28, 2016

Yeah you would think they would have learnt the **** bits from a mt07 fz07

markenduro

· #14 · Jul 29, 2016

The clock, if you are going to show the 0 then it needs to be 24h clock, not show 02:00 at 14:00, it disturbs me so have to have it showing temp instead.

Reactions: 2

Andy

· #15 · Jul 29, 2016

pushing the horn when cancelling the indicators, serious problem that will have to be rectified.
a longer indicator button would be the answer.
apart from that nothing, I wear ear plugs when riding so don't hear the bike:laugh:

Andy

spaceman

· #16 · Aug 16, 2016

Andy said:
pushing the horn when cancelling the indicators, serious problem that will have to be rectified.
a longer indicator button would be the answer.
apart from that nothing, I wear ear plugs when riding so don't hear the bike:laugh:

Andy

I wear ear plugs as well and to be honest I prefer the quieter tone of the stock XSR pipe to the noise from my FireBlade. I must be getting old but I find riding the FB really loud.

Fitting a new exhaust on the XSR wont be on my list of things to do thats for sure.

XSRmania

· #17 · Aug 18, 2016

Tigerjohn said:
I agree that adjusting displays on the move would be foolish. But, Yamaha are being naive if they think riders won't toggle through the menu while riding- it's not realistic to pull over to change from, say, clock to ambient temp or trip mileage. It's a pity the menu scroll button wasn't incorporated into the handlebar switch gear. As it is, their attempt to dissuade us has probably increased risk rather than reduced it!

Please show me the place where you think it is possible to add the buttons at the handlebar?

It is very smart from Yamaha to put the buttons on the right of the display. It is not safe to do something with your left arm while you still on trottle or think about the risk of braking in a reflex.

John876

· #18 · Aug 18, 2016

I agree about the foot pegs. So annoying when you are stopped, always digging in my legs. Never had that problem on my R6 but then they were designed to be further back.

The switch gear is annoying. Keep hitting the horn when cancelling indicators. Bit embarrassing.

The single seat doesn't lock very well. Really have to whack it to get it to lock.

The dial is too low. I'm constantly having to look down. Still running it in so keeping revs low so I probably won't check as often once the first service is done.

Tigerjohn

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 19, 2016

XSRmania said:
Please show me the place where you think it is possible to add the buttons at the handlebar?

It is very smart from Yamaha to put the buttons on the right of the display. It is not safe to do something with your left arm while you still on trottle

It would need a re-design of the LH switchgear (needed anyway!) to incorporate a menu toggle switch - not difficult to achieve. On my V Strom, I can toggle between ambient temp and clock from the LH switch gear....much safer than reaching across to the RH buttons on my XSR while moving.

I disagree with your view that it was a smart move by Yamaha - I think it was naive and foolish of Yamaha to assume that riders won't attempt to toggle between display functions on the move.....all they've succeeded in doing is making the manoeuvre even less safe. Perhaps I'm just more reckless than most!

Reactions: 1

XSRmania

· #20 · Aug 19, 2016

Tigerjohn said:
It would need a re-design of the LH switchgear (needed anyway!) to incorporate a menu toggle switch - not difficult to achieve. On my V Strom, I can toggle between ambient temp and clock from the LH switch gear....much safer than reaching across to the RH buttons on my XSR while moving.

I disagree with your view that it was a smart move by Yamaha - I think it was naive and foolish of Yamaha to assume that riders won't attempt to toggle between display functions on the move.....all they've succeeded in doing is making the manoeuvre even less safe. Perhaps I'm just more reckless than most!

Who says yamaha want to assume riders to toggle while riding? I think you are just used to your vstrom, and yes that might be the better place. For me I never noticed this as a problem and have no need to toggle all the time. The automatic range display with almost empty tank is very handy. Above all enjoy your XSR! My only thing I don't like is the exhaust sound (what sound?)

1 - 20 of 41 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.