Yamaha has been hitting home lately when it comes to building impressive bikes. It’s MT-09 range of bikes have been very well received, the MT-09 Tracer and its three-cylinder engine is especially being hailed as one of the best touring bikes in the industry now.
But the show must move on and this time Yamaha has done it yet again with the Tracer 700. The touring variant to the MT-07 range of bikes seen in these photos here for the first time.
An obvious evolution to the popular MT-09 Tracer, the smaller Tracer also works along the same lines as its bigger sibling; a bigger fuel tank, taller ride height and practicality to make it one of the most anticipated dual-purpose bikes of the year.
It is powered by the same 75bhp twin-cylinder engine from the MT-07 and is largely the same mechanically, except for the taller and re-engineered suspension.
It does however have a longer wheelbase thanks to a swing arm that is 50mm longer for a total wheelbase of 1450mm. Yamaha says this is to increase stability when riding with a pillion or added weight.
The new Tracer 700 is also a relative lightweight with a kerb weight of just 196 kilograms.
Yamaha sent out a press release to the world’s motoring media this morning, and in it Yamaha described the new Tracer 700 as:
“Excitement has been engineered into the Tracer 700’s DNA, as its compact and lightweight chassis features a tubular steel frame that has been developed from the highly acclaimed MT-07 platform. This minimalist design instantly established a strong reputation for its agile handling and responsive character, and the Tracer 700’s newly developed chassis features a range of exclusive refinements that are designed to enhance its versatility and comfort while retaining a strong sporting heritage.
“For a more stable riding character at higher cruising speeds – especially when riding 2-up with luggage – the Tracer 700 is equipped with a 50mm longer swingarm to give a wheelbase of 1450mm. To suit its long distance role, the 130mm travel front and rear suspension systems feature revised settings for smooth and responsive characteristics in a variety of conditions. Dual 282mm front discs with four-pot calipers and a 245mm rear disc deliver powerful and responsive braking performance, and ABS is equipped as standard.
“These chassis refinements – combined with a class-leading wet weight of 196 kg – ensure that the Tracer 700 is ready to excite in every corner, and yet can be transformed into a serious long distance tourer with the addition of a range of Genuine Yamaha accessories.”
It’s not known yet if and when the Tracer 700 will be available in Malaysia. But with the MT-07 already available here at about RM36,000 in CKD form (read about it at our sister site here), Hong Leong Yamaha, assembler and distributor of everything Yamaha in Malaysia, is in a good position to finally give the very-capable Kawasaki Versys 650 some decent competiton.
Stunt-inspired Yamaha MT-07 Moto Cage ‘Night Fluo’ edition unveiled in the UK. (more…)
Yamaha USA revealed its latest creation, the DT-07 flat tracker concept at the AIM Expo motorcycle show in Orlando, Florida last week.
Using a race-tuned version of the 689cc, parallel-twin engine that is powering the MT-07, the DT-07 is apparently a one-off concept that was built by Jeff Palhegyi Design and Yamaha USA’s race department.
Sporting Yamaha’s 60th anniversary celebration Speedblock paint scheme, the DT-07 also comes with a straight-through exhaust system from Graves Racing.
Other notable highlights on the concept include the purpose-built frame, the swingarm with an adjustable pivot and link system, modified R6 conventional-style forks, Ohlins rear shock, as well as Propulsion Labs wheels.
Derek Brooks, Motorcycle Product Planning Manager for Yamaha USA said: “One of our specific goals with the Yamaha DT-07 was to retain some of the FZ-07’s styling cues. I worked with Jeff Palhegvi on the design of the bike and we literally used the FZ-07’s fuel tank cover as the basis for the body mould on the DT-07 Concept. The entire bike was essentially built from scratch, and it is Yamaha’s interpretation of what a dirt tracker designed from the ground up in 2015 should look like.”
Custom-styled motorcycles are all the rave nowadays, and more the most recent manufacturer to join the bandwagon is Yamaha, with the XSR700 – a custom-style edition of the MT-07 which has just been officially revealed yesterday.
According to Yamaha, the XSR700 is the production version of the MT07 that was restyled by renowned Japanese custom bike builder Shinya Kimura. The company added that this model adds to the brand’s range of custom-style ‘Faster Sons’ special editions, which also includes the XJR1300 Racer and XV950 Racer.
Unlike the traditional looking naked XJR1300 and XV950 cruiser, the XSR700 is the first to stem from a contemporary-styled model. Rumour has it that Yamaha might even consider the R1 for the custom treatment.
Noteable features on the Yamaha XSR700 include:
* Two-texture leather seat
* Aluminium retro fuel tank
* Aluminium fender
* Aluminium headlight bracket
* Wide tapered back handlebars
* Mesh side panels
* Stubby rear muffler
* Embroidered seat logo
* Wide range of customization accessories
The 2016 Yamaha XSR700 is expected to hit European dealerships from November 2015. As much as the Malaysian market is concerned, there have not been any official announcements from Hong Leong Yamaha yet, but lets just keep our fingers crossed.
2016 Yamaha XSR700
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