YAMAHA XSR700 (2015 - 2021) Review

front suspension is a little hard on the pot holed roads on the way yo work

slightly pitted brake levers

Fuel tank could be bigger doesn't get the mileage it states it should

mine came with a luggage rack this was great for strapping bags to on weekends away id recommend

Suspension a little hard at the rear as is the seat.

It really is as good as the reviews.

Compared to my last bike, a Harley, the build quality is outstanding, especially given the he price. Nothing has gone wrong to date.

Bought for a bargain £5999 as it was pre-registered buy with zero miles and a very healthy trade in to boot.

Excellent in every respect. Speedo design so simple yet so clever, with a fuel gauge and gear indicator to boot.

Softly sprung but quite well balanced. Good for the price.

Really, really great engine. Change the exhaust and it sound good. Fitted the Leo Vince GP dual system.

Purchased new. Initially a problem with the handlebar mounting. Fixed under warranty but Yamaha uk unhelpful. The bike has been 100% reliable since and still brings a smile to my face after 10000 miles

Cheap and easy to service. Mixed riding easy to get 60+ mpg.

Everything you really need. If you want more buy a car!

The budget suspension works until things get fast and/or very bumpy, but there are fixes out there. Having said that the softness of the springing gives a decently smooth ride, although the standard seat will have your buttocks begging for mercy after an hour or so - it's worse than a bicycle seat for comfort. The brakes are fine, though ABS seems to kick in on the rear pretty quickly. I find that I enjoy the ride more if I'm kicking back, old-school, not trying to force a pace. May be more to do with my skills than the bike though.

The motor is out of the MT-07 and has been around for a few years now. It is everything a good twin should be, enough power, heaps of torque, smooth without being dull and with that 270 degree crank has a bit of character. Most people hate the exhaust note but I've no problems riding around on a quiet bike - not a subscriber to the 'loud pipes save likes' cobblers. Clutch can be a bit abrupt and the gearbox is OK rather than amazing.

Apart from a couple of furry bolts, radiator pipes and an easily fixed sticky starter switch, this has been a gem. Cleans up well, though we don't go out in the wet if we can help it.

Being a reliable, proven twin servicing costs are not too steep, it doesn't seem to be hard on chains and sprockets or brake pads (although how you ride affects this of course) and insurance for an old giffer like me is cheap. It's economical, around 60-65mpg ridden sensibly.

I don't need loads of gizmos, just ABS for reassurance. The single dial is OK though because of the torquey nature of the engine I hardly ever look at the rev counter bit. I have added a few bits (customising this bike is a big part of the deal) like a screen, rad guards, heated grips, hand guards, hugger etc and will keep adding bits and pieces as I go on.

Room for improvement but no problem for the average road rider

Torquey, great soundtrack and reliable

3 years no issues

Abs on the back can come in quickly, would be nice to have an option to let the back slide a little now and again

Bit soft but comfortable

Fantastic value for money.

Minimal electrical gadgets so less to go wrong

Just loving the ride. Wind blast an issue over 85 but that helps keep the licence. I'm captain slow but it's way more capable than expected. Perfect if returning to bikeing. Easy to ride and faster than litre bikes of 20 years ago.

The best bit. Review's all said it was good and they are right. If you don't think 700 is enough try one. On a public road perfect.

Only 6 months old but no problems so far. Only ridden once in the rain but no sign of rust. Feels well screwed together.

First service steep at 190. Had to take it to a dealer other than the one i bought it at. Long story. Think they would have been cheaper if I'd bought from them.

Needs a rizoma rear brake cylinder (cosmetic) and heated grips. Otherwise has everything you need rather than everything you want. Looks are personal, obviously I love it.

Handling is great, light weight helps, but so chuckable. Only let down by poor rear shock that can get a bit overworked amking it a bit bouncy at times.

Brilliant!! I must be the only one who likes the sound of the twin, nice and torquie and easily fast enough when revved.

Very economical, even when thrashed, would imagine easy high 60's if you rode gently (unlikely to happen)

It's got everything you need in a small display and for a bike like this and at this price.

The XSR700 is a nice upright, relaxed riding position that makes for really good commuting and takes away the wrist stain that my old SV game me. The wide and higher bars and great balance and low weight really help me navigate traffic and filtering. On the twisty roads, it's nimble and quick to turn allowing some spirited riding to put a smile on your face. I don't feel quite engaged with the bike/road as much as I did with the SV, almost more relaxed (I think this is largely down to the softer suspension), but I think that adds to the charm of the bike and I certainly don't think I'm any slower than on the SV. Brakes are good and stop confidently. ABS has kicked in a little more than I would expect it to on very few occasions but this hasn't brought me any concern and I feel I can rely on the brakes more if I needed to.

The MT07 based 700cc twin has been well reviewed and loved and I can see why. It is superb, smooth and has bags of torque at a really usable rev band. The bike a joy to use in and around town and also a great blast down the twisty country B roads. Only thing that holds back the 5th star is the standard exhaust note which takes away some character a little, however this can be resolved with aftermarket items, although they are few and expensive (at the time of writing)

I've only done 600 miles but not had any problems with it to date. Seems and feels well built and have nothing to grumble about so far. Gear changes seem a little smoother after it's first service.

A brand new bike with great retro looks (in my opinion) but modern day usability and performance, can commute everyday with ease whilst can hold it's own on a twisty road, brings a smile to your face when your on it and costs less than £7000. I can see why the base vehicle won bike of the year and is so well reviewed. I've only completed 600 miles so far (just carried out the the first service) which cost £150. Tyres tread looks cool but may not be the best cost/performace tyre available. Cost £10-£13 to fill up, I got 140 miles on my usual commute (light town / mainly B roads) to a tank and the dash says I get 58 MPG, much better than the 120miles / £13-£15 fill up that the SV650 did.

Come with ABS as standard and the cool digital dash gives good information. Speed, Gears, Rev and fuel are the constant information wilst odometer, trip A/B, instant MPG, avg. MPG, coolant temp, ambient air temp and clock are all cycle-able. I would rather the clock was and maybe the water temp was part of the constant information but the 'retro - design' dash doesn't have the real-estate space for this. There are no riding modes or traction control, which I would have liked, but for the cost of the bike I can't really complain (and probably wouldn't need or use that much) I wasn't offered standard fitment heated grips, however I have heard rumours that these are available. there are optional extra's to customise the bike your way but these seemed expensive and more looks based than functional. I didn't see them, but the pannier bag, tank bag or 'tool' bag didn't seem like I could put a lot in them.