Motorcycle specifications YamahaXSR 700 XTribute 2022 Fan of an old poster

It's a tribute offered by the XSR to a memory. But that doesn't stop it from thinking about doing a little shopping in the workbench. The 700 clan gains in confidence with larger brake discs and a fork with revised settings. A little grooming means relocating the speedometer, revising the engine to meet new standards, as well as a new LED front light cluster and a smaller rear light. The definition of this bike remains unchanged, and its place still justified by the call of history.

I've been asking Google Translate for ages now, and the poor guy doesn't get it. How hard can it be to translate'neo-retro Faster Sons version of the Sport Heritage Scrambler'? What's more, it could be worse. Neo Sport Café', 'Old School Rider', 'Nespresso Café Racer'. It's enough to drive you crazy with these marketing names.

Fortunately, the XSR 700 Xtribute can hang on to something concrete to express its design. An MT-07 base with a modern-classic bodywork, touched up with a nod to the legendary XT 500.

Now I understand better; Gougl' still can't do it. Yamaha more or less wanted to transform its medium-sized XSR into a scrambler. A fashionable concept that's still absent from its range. A tall order when you consider that the company has a long history in the off-road sector, and that only the 950 Scr has attempted to make an impression. The Xtribute aims to put all that right, borrowing some of the philosophy of the XT of yesteryear. Apart from the color scheme and the calligraphy on the tank, it's hard to see where... A very nice, nostalgic design, with gold rims, a black and silver tank with red piping, and a white mudguard.

keeping 17-inch wheels with spokes may seem unseemly; and why keep a 180 at the rear, far too wide whatever the roads? But who really respects the codes of the scrambler these days? Apart from Triumph's 1200s, perhaps. On the other hand, the Pirelli MT60RS mixed-tyre set-up widens the field of investigation even further. The presence of fork gussets, off-road footrests and raised handlebars with reinforcement bar make you feel the need to go off-road where dirt is more present than asphalt. A flat saddle, orange turn signals and a reduced-sized rear light reinforce the search for identity.
Once on the road, the engine has no trouble brightening up every outing. The CP2 makes perfect use of its 73 horsepower, with a character that's nothing like a 1981 mono - its thing is sparkling, easy for novices and pugnacious for experienced riders. Thus, engine and chassis are taken from the XSR 700 std without modification.

The XSR 700 Xtribute wasn't designed to be ridden on African tracks (although... our country roads are beginning to resemble them), but more to take on a look, XT-style. This only really comes into its own with the optional Akra upright pot - standard would have been more appropriate. Those expecting a resurrection of the 500 XT will be disappointed. Customers who are more interested in the appearance of a fun machine will be delighted by its dynamism.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos