When you’re looking for the right mix of old-school and new-school from your motorcycle while cruising the Bay Area, the Yamaha XSR series is here to provide it. These classically-styled but modern bikes celebrate Yamaha’s heritage and stand out from the more mundane models you’ll see on the streets. If you are looking for a used Yamaha motorcycle dealer in San Francisco to see the XSR series for yourself, you can find great bikes from this manufacturer here at SF Moto.
Throughout the 21st century, the trend of customizing older sportbikes has grown rapidly. With the Yamaha XSR Series, this motorcycle pioneer has gotten in on the act. The Yamaha XSR700 and XSR900 offer two ways for San Francisco residents to enjoy state-of-the-art performance with a vintage look—and use their bike as an artistic canvas. Riding such a bike through the city streets or taking it out on I-280 will give you one foot in the modern bike world and one foot in the halcyon days of simple, raw motorcycles that felt like freedom with every rev of the engine.
Is a Yamaha XSR the right bike for you? If so, which one should you be riding through the Bay Area and beyond? We have the answers to these questions and are here to show why the Yamaha XSR series has taken such a strong hold over riders of all experience levels.
What Is the Yamaha XSR?
There has always been a culture of restoring and modifying vintage motorcycles. It serves as a tribute to the past, a form of personal expression, and a statement of resistance to rapid technological advancements that some argue come at the expense of a motorcycle’s soul. Consider it the two-wheeled version of hot rods and customized Jeeps.
In recent years, though, interest in this pastime has surged considerably, with a particular focus on 1970s and 1980s Japanese motorcycles. Custom sportbikes and café racers were suddenly popping up left and right. Yamaha noticed the trend and decided to use it as inspiration for a new lineup of sport heritage motorcycles—one based on the XS series that graced the streets from 1970 to 1988.
Yamaha didn’t want the lineup to simply be a rehash of old ideas, though. Instead, it looked to an old Japanese proverb that translates to “study the old to better learn the new”—in other words, honor what made these motorcycles great while also incorporating modern elements that can make them even better. The result was the XSR Series, which went into production in 2016 and has quickly gained a worldwide following.
The Yamaha XSR Platform
To serve as the foundation for the XSR series, Yamaha brought in one of its most reliable performers. The Yamaha MT series of naked bikes, known for its powerful yet fun riding experience, is the platform on which all XSR bikes are based. The original Yamaha XSR700 is based on the MT-07, considered the everyday rider of the “Mega Torque” lineup. For the flagship XSR900, Yamaha turned to the all-around MT-09.
Yet despite these familiar models being at the core of the Yamaha XSR series, the retro bikes have a personality, look, and feel unlike anything else on the road. The concept behind them bears several names, including “modern classic,” “neo-retro,” and “performance retro-ster.” By any term, a Yamaha XSR is for people who want a motorcycle that spans generations and is DIY-friendly.
Now that you know what the XSR series is, it’s time to see which one you should invest in for your adventures. Let’s compare the XSR700 and XSR900 to see which one is more your speed.
Everyday Fun: The Yamaha XSR700
To call the Yamaha XSR700 a lower-end bike would be a huge disservice. That being said, it’s the ideal choice for riders who are a little less experienced, have a little smaller budget, or just don’t need all the bells and whistles. Made for daily commuting while still allowing the rider to open things up, the XSR700 is equally at home on Market Street as it is on I-80.
The second generation of the XSR700, which was introduced in 2022, has a 690cc parallel-twin engine that produces 72 hp. With a wet weight of only 410 lbs, that’s more than enough power for some impressive throttle response and high-end pull. Yamaha also gave it a sport-minded chassis that’s compact and nimble for city streets while being remarkably comfortable. Standard ABS with dual disc brakes lets you stop on cue. The lighting continues the classic/modern trend, giving you ultra-bright integrated LEDs in sleek retro shapes.
This bike is also impeccably detailed, showcasing Yamaha’s commitment to every square inch of its machines. Whether you’re talking about the teardrop mirrors, the carefully stitched saddle, or the hand-finished fuel tank side covers, the XSR700 looks great from all angles. The subframe is removable, making it easier to customize the bike.
With a new 2024 XSR700 starting at $8,899, this is an affordable foundation on which to create your dream sportbike––especially when you buy a used model. A used Yamaha XSR700 offers the chance to save even more money while still getting a quality motorcycle.
Retro Sport: The Yamaha XSR900
Are you looking for more of a heavyweight contender? The flagship Yamaha XSR900 motorcycle is up your alley. Designed to be more like a contemporary café racer, it brings nostalgia with its appearance but jolts the rider back to the present day when you grab the throttle.
When Yamaha updated the XSR900 in 2022, it increased the displacement of the three-cylinder engine from 847cc to 890cc. That translates to 117 hp and 68 lb-ft of torque, which is a noticeable increase over the first generation. Yamaha also introduced a new lightweight frame and exclusive SpinForged wheels to lighten the bike, and with the seat height lowered by nearly an inch, the XSR900 is now more accessible to smaller riders.
In addition to its larger engine, the XSR900 has several performance upgrades over the XSR700 for adventure-minded riders. These include:
- A quick shifter, slide control, and cruise control are standard features.
- A six-axis IMU provides three levels of lean-sensitive traction control.
- An assist and slipper clutch smooths out shifts and lets you decelerate rapidly with less wheel hop.
- A specially tuned exhaust and intake improve fuel efficiency while sounding more like an old-school sportbike.
The 2024 XSR900 starts at $10,299, which is only $1,400 more than the XSR700. That already small difference can shrink even more if you shop used. If you have a little extra cash and want to let loose, the XSR900 is ready to fly.
Yamaha Heritage Comes to Life
Whether you prefer a day-to-day naked bike or one that brings the weekend thrills, the Yamaha XSR series respects the glorious history of sportbikes while simultaneously charging into the future. Plenty of customization options, whether at the factory or after you take your bike home, let you turn the bike into something that represents who you are and why you ride. Visit SF Moto today to see what Yamaha XSR motorcycles we have in stock, take one for a spin, and discuss what you’re looking for from a neo-retro bike.
