Yamaha XSR700 Suitable For Beginner Riders? 

Honestly, it is a good system, in helping keep most riders on something suitable, and not going out and hurting themselves on something that's not. The restricted 650s are still a handful for a new rider, even if they seem more tame to those who've been riding for a long time.

That's the challenge for larger riders, which I think sometimes gets forgotten with people insisting everyone should start on a little 300-400, or even a 125!

Being an older rider definitely helps with a bit more road craft and common sense if you jump into the deep end on a 650. Definitely a much better choice than trying to jump on a 1000 cc superbike too, although as you note, something cheap and light makes it easier to learn!

Very interesting. I'm above average in size, and am looking for my first bike. I'll be doing my bike safety class in a few weeks so I'm reearching stuff to buy. Obviously I'll wanna sit on the bikes before I commit but I'm 6'1"/240lbs (1.85m, 110kg) and in my mid 30s. Im not a reckless impuslive guy with mutliple licenses (including commercial) so I've heard mixed things about this being or not being beginner bike. I think Kris is the only person I've heard mention that if you're bigger this may be a better fit for beginners. How has your experience been with it?

@@UselessOpinion I'm 6'4" 120kg 50's . I did my ibt on a z650 which had a very nice even power delivery. First time ever on a bike did 2 3 hour sessions in a closed area then 6 hours on the road to get my L plates. The most important lesson I learnt was only bikes with a seat height over 32" (815) to be considered(cramps in my knee). I posted to help other new riders because I found you can go down a lot of rabbit holes if only using reviews on youtube. This review says everything I have learnt about the xsr more eloquently than I can. To your point of hearing mixed opinions about his being a beginner bike I can understand why. The xsr has a snatchy throttle and lots of torque straight out of the box which can catch you out. I know my 20's self would not fair well if I started on this. As a mature and now much larger rider these issues are now a plus, factor in the weight of protective gear and I've added bags,the torque is great. The best thing for me is as I'm not a speed demon ,the punch to get to road speed and coming out of corners.The longest rides I've done are 1.5/2 hrs, the seat is good, brakes are confidence inspiring,suspension Ok and position relaxing if not windy!!. I'm growing into this bike slowly and it has a lot more to offer. Also it's fantastic to mod, I like spannering the bike more than riding in the wind!.I have no experience with other bikes so I hope this helps. Kris says it better.(check out his vid on ergos)

@@kenmaher3388 very awesome

@@UselessOpinion The 650 class in general I think is probably a better choice for riders who are a bit older, a bit more responsible, and/or want a roomier machine, and I'd say the XSR is ideal there, while they can also fall into a forever machine for riders who don't get the itch for more power. Plus there's all the advantages of a nakedbike, which tend to be the easiest motorcycles to ride overall, although cruisers could be said to be the winner there. To be fair, what works for new riders is very subjective and specific to the individual, so doing your research and trying to figure out where you stand is definitely really important.

You can definitely get into a lot of trouble, even on quite a small motorcycle. I think the hope is that those who need a bit of a reality check on the attitude side of things, or an easier platform to learn roadcraft and basic motorcycle skills, will have a more forgiving time. A 1000 cc which can do the top speed of a 300/400 cc in first gear definitely has the potential to be more dangerous though for those lacking in the brains department, with just a single twist of the wrist. Probably the more self controlled you are, the smaller the difference is in some ways.

The DRs will still be going strong when we've moved on to whatever comes after electric motorcycles! The SV has been pretty unbeatable on price in the 650s for quite a while, sad they discontinued them.

@@MotoJournoKris I think, unfortunately this and many things we blokes like will be “verboten” in the near future. Think Canada with Roos. 😕 Edit; in the DR’s case, the SV is totally on Suzuki. 😒

Yep, checking them out in store and going for a test ride is a must!

@@MotoJournoKris On that point I don't know what it's like to buy from a dealership in Australia but here not only would they not allow a test ride but not allowed to turn it on!! .Walked away but but returned as was already smitten before i went through the door. I have bought a lot of vehicles in my time but buying a motorbike was peculiar.

@@kenmaher3388 I think it just depends here if they've got demo bikes available, but that is much more the norm - although sometimes you might also get a test ride on a second hand bike in stock if there's no demo. I've heard from a lot of people in the US they could only get test rides on Harleys and that they basically aren't offered on anything else, which seemed crazy to me! Not sure if that's where you're located though.

@@MotoJournoKris Ireland. Catch 22, on L permit, no full licence. Need to ride a bike to get a licence can't without one. dealer site insurance issues. Nice work on the review.

@@kenmaher3388 Yea that's not ideal. We have a basic course here to get your L permit, and then you're out on the road on your own, which I think is probably a terrifying thought if you're trying to test ride a bike you've never been on before, and possibly have no actual road riding experience at all. On my first bike I was just going up and down the local streets for the first few rides, building confidence!

They seem like a really solid tyre to me, although I'm not a huge fan of the feel in the wet, they seem grippy there. The 6s are meant to be better in that regard, so I'd definitely try those next.

Yea it's ride on the border of too much I think. 300-400 is a good starting point!

There's still only LAMS listed on the Yamaha website, but it's always possible the dealers know something ahead of the rest of us!

@@MotoJournoKris I've asked Yamaha direct but there should be a way to ID on the bike itself.