New Yamaha XSR700 a Ducati Scrambler beater?

[Steph]

That's going to sell like hot cakes!


http://lanesplitter.jalopnik.com/the-yamaha-xsr700-is-the-ducati-scrambler-competitor-we-1719558774




The inspiration

[Zinfan]

Not sure I like this new style, the radiator is kinda big and dominating the look of the bike.  Also some other pictures from your link kinda remind me of a steampunk overall look to the bike, very busy.  Now lets talk about the second picture  .

[drums4money]

Nice bike.  But is that George Michael posing back there? 

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I had a Yamaha 650 twin, 77 model from 78 to 94.  One of the best motorcycles I ever owned.  Versatile enough that I rode it on
trails, streets, highways, and interstates.  It pulled a sidecar for me for some of those years. 

[tonUPRacer]

I like the Ducati better. From what I saw of the spec's a 32" seat height will turn away smaller riders as well. I think the Duc will appeal to more people.

[flip]

It would probably be a nice bike to ride and easy to live with but it sure is ugly.

[kevdog3019]

God I love it; call all "standards" scramblers now. At least cafe's had a bit more distinction. Sales 101 I know.
THIS IS NOT A SCRAMBLER.

[bad Chad]

It's not really a Scrambler, a scrambler HAS to have a high pipe.  It looks like a neat standard.  The radiator should not be highlighted, don't know what that's all about.

[canuguzzi]

Yamaha probably doesn't care what its called because a lot of people are going to buy it. No crazy Ducati shop fees, accessory makes will fall over themselves to make stuff for it and it won't overheat in traffic or require any special weight of oil to run. Paint the radiator which they will for production I'm sure. If not, you'll be able to choose from 10,000 different radiator shrouds due out a week after it hits the streets.

[canuguzzi]

Bet Honda is next with a remake of this:

http://www.ridermagazine.com/manufacturer/honda/retrospective-honda-vt500ft-ascot-1983-1984.htm/

[bad Chad]

yea, guess your right about what they call it. 

Gee that gage clock looks familiar, any Cal 1400 notice anything?   

[lucydad]

The triple tuning fork engineers are on a tear.  It will sell if priced right.  Hate the big radiator.  Would love to own a Duc scrambler...

Give me a Yamaha two stroke 250 dirt bike please.  Ring a ding a ding a and cloud of blue smoke.  Now that was a bike.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

bikey too tall
pipey too low
radiator too grande

and the headlight looks like him on the right

[Guzzistajohn]

I like it! I'll bet it's much easier to live with than a Duc. The radiator is a little funky however.

Hope it works for AMA flat track!

[drums4money]

Bet Honda is next with a remake of this:

http://www.ridermagazine.com/manufacturer/honda/retrospective-honda-vt500ft-ascot-1983-1984.htm/

Honda's part of the rumor mill.
I like the heck out of this bike - the CB1100r:
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2015/07/old-honda-concepts-heading-for-production/

[steven c]

 I have done a demo ride on the FZ7 that it is based off of and that thing is a hoot, kind of like a 2/3s Buell. I don't know how the XS650 inspired it though , not in the styling thats for sure, way to busy under the tank. I like the FZ7 better. at least they didn't go to retro, I like to see design move forward instead of copying the past, I have already been there!

[leafman60]

Yamaha's design is too cluttered looking.

The Ducati is cleaner, more classic and it is a VTwin.

Apples and oranges.

[ohiorider]

Dusty - I agree.  That little bike at $7k looks like a lot of motorcycle without a lot of service baggage attached. 

I owned only one Yamaha, a 1983 750 Virago.  After installing lower bars and semi set back foot pegs, ( and having the front disc drilled), she was a sweetie.  It didn't eliminate the cruiser look, but she handled better with those changes, plus heavier shock spring and new fork springs. 

That was my return to motorcycling 32 years ago, and I'd consider bookending my riding with another Yamaha.  Often considered an FJR 1300 (but the damned 1200 Sport just won't die, and it fills that role so well!)

Bob

[not-fishing]

270 degree crank will give it that special sound.

Butt Lord do I hate Udders.

[JJ]

As young rider, I rode Yamaha's (and Kawasaki's) the first 14 years of my riding career.  They are good, reliable bikes overall.  As you all know, Yamaha makes precision musical equipment as well as many other quality products.

I think this new model will sell well.  I test drove a new Ducati Scrambler recently, and it felt like a mini-bike.  Plenty of power however, light and nimble, and with excellent brakes.  However, they are really just an "around town bike" (IMHO).  Good for short day trips, commuting, and just plain fun riding.   Would like to see the new Yamaha in person and sit on it.  Looks like a fun bike, as I mentioned.

Regarding the Ducati Scrambler, it could be done, but I would not want to ride one from Phoenix to San Diego and back! (lol)

[steven c]

  I was hoping for a dual sport based on the FZ7.

[cruzziguzzi]

My take - It's hideous.

Looks like a Craigslist "cafe racer" reject. That is to say, a vehicle which was otherwise likely designed in a relatively appealing manner, bought, crashed and then stripped of bodywork and hardware in a misguided attempt to re-present it as a deliberate custom concept rather than the Meth fueled, three-day-bender product of a "tweaker" trying to get out of proper repairs.

I see absolutely no connection to any previous offerings by Yamaha from their classic or post-classic days. Just a bike missing parts.

Todd.

[Hymes Inc.]

I see these new bikes every now and then and they show the old bike that was supposed to be the inspiration. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong but other then 2 wheels I don't see any of the old bike in the new one. 

[Perazzimx14]

:1: Young buyers aren't put off buy radiators , they grew up with water cooling . I'll bet they sell a bunch of these at about $7K .

  Dusty

I bet they don't sell to the younger generation. Everybody knows anything less than a liter bike is for beginners or girls.

[steven c]

 I have been seeing a few FZ7's around and they are not ridden by old guys. They sound great with an aftermarket muffler.

[Doppelgaenger]

Tell that to all of the young folks buying V7s and new Bonnevilles  The sport bike market has gone a bit flat .

  Dusty

That's just hipsters, another passing fad. But then pretty much everything is a fad...

I personally don't care for this yamaha version. It's just more UJM. The ducati is so much prettier, and I bet the engine on the duc is loads more fun than this thing. I can't see it putting a dent in ducati scrambler sales.

[kevdog3019]

Honda's part of the rumor mill.
I like the heck out of this bike - the CB1100r:
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2015/07/old-honda-concepts-heading-for-production/

I do like this Honda!!  Right in most ways for me and simple.

[canuguzzi]

I bet they don't sell to the younger generation. Everybody knows anything less than a liter bike is for beginners or girls.

Honda is selling boatloads of CB500Xs and it isn't old foggies buying them. There are a lot of people getting into motorcycling, and endless stream of new customers. These newer riders don't care about triple digit speeds, they want to drag foot pegs and stop for lattes.

[AGRO!]

I had a Yamaha 650 twin, 77 model from 78 to 94.  One of the best motorcycles I ever owned.  Versatile enough that I rode it on
trails, streets, highways, and interstates.  It pulled a sidecar for me for some of those years.

I had the xs1 same colour as the one above, These things had bugger all ground clearance plus it was funny how they used to vib so much that it would do 360 by just revving it once up on its centre stand it was like a party trick lol!

[smartin108]

The Yamaha styling is not as organic as the Ducati.  There is no flow at all, and is the engine playing a harmonica?