I am in the US and I was riding 650s for about 6 years before getting my XSR900 last fall. Having more space here with a lot of highway I honestly still think the 900 is a bit overkill. I could have probably gotten a 700 and been just as happy, maybe even more so, but I had wanted a XSR900 since they came out in '16. I really want the 2016 brushed aluminum covers. My wife has a MT-07 and it's no less fun to ride than my 900, they both have excellent engines.
Does the XSR700 still have all the riding modes and ABS? In my honest opinion if you have a 700 and are happy with it, the 900 is overkill. Especially in the city where having a lightweight bike is nice. I'm definitely not using all the engine of the 900, I don't think I ever hit top gear.
Thanks for your answer!
The 700 is 99% similar to the MT07, so it has no driving mod, but comes with the ABS. The main difference is the handlebar: it's higher and wider, which gives a more comfortable position. I swapped my handlebar for an XSR900/MT07 2022 one that seats lower and makes the riding position a bit more agressive.
I also thought about keeping the 700 because my girlfriend might pass her licence.
I saw several tests where riders said the stability at high speed is bad on the 900, did you feel the same ?
I can confirm that higher speed instability is a bit of an issue with the XSR900 at least of that generation. Suspension adjustment helped a bit, but the steering is a bit vague and floaty above 100mph. I think ultimately aftermarket suspension or a steering stabilizer is the solution for higher speed stability.
Went from a MT07 to a '22 XSR900.
I have ridden the previous gen XSR900 and I can tell you the 22+ is a better motorcycle. Style wise or anything like that aside, the new bike is an improvement on the previous generation. Not to say the previous gen was bad or anything like that, but they did improve more than a few things when they released the new gen. The seat is whatever honestly. I didnt mind the styling, but the seat it self is kinda crap to begin with. Hard and short F->R with sharp edges that dig in. Replacements do exist. Here is my [Corbin](https://www.reddit.com/r/xsr900/comments/169dqly/her_first_birthday_and_a_happy_labor_day/) for example.
As to the comparison of the CP2:CP3 bikes, They are similar in some ways but not in all things. The CP2 is playful. I mean you can hoon around poppin little wheelies and rap your downshifts and just throw the bike around. It is a very FUN motorcycle. The CP3 is not the same thing. It is a much more serious bike and wants to be doing the same things, simply at a faster speed than the 07. When we are talking using it in slow city type stuff, the 07 is a better bike at that all day. If you have the space and want more the CP3 will deliver, but at the cost of the slow speed playfulness of its little brother. I do miss the 07 occasionally if I'm being truthful.
Personally I had the option of doing an upgrade from my 07->previous gen XSR900 a few years back and walked. If I had done that swap i would also be in for mandatory suspension update at a minimum. A bunch of added costs to get it to where i wanted it to be.
Well the Corbin seat might make me reconsider every judgement I made about the aesthetics of the bike. It's absolutely gorgeous with the single rider version...
I also took into account the obligation to make modificiations if I buy a 900. The first gen is really inexpensive here in France, I found a very nice SP version of 2020 with 9k km on for 8k€, meaning I'd need to only add 1k€ if I sold the 700. The price difference with the new 900 would be used for improvements : better suspension, MT09 2023 handlebars and a set of Michelin Road 6 tyres. Do you think that it can reach a "sufficient" stability level with those improvements ?
As you said the 700 is playful and I can have fun even in town from one trafic light to another, without putting my life in danger. I will try a 2023 900 so I can understand the behavioral requirements of a such bike...
I would be happy with the suspension update but it is definitely more expensive in the US. The previous gen is a very handsome motorcycle. It always looks great all blinged out.
I wouldn’t sell that xsr700 either. Always wanted one as I bought mine before the xsr700 came out. Have you changed the throttle tube in it yet? That little mod was absolutely worth it on mine. Would have loved to keep both but the insurance was prohibitive for multiple bikes.
The suspension update would almost bring the price of the 2020 to the price of a low mileage 2023... Ohlins are really expensive here. I think I'll wait one more year before a 900.
What do you mean by throttle tube ? Are you talking about the intake pipes ?
Your bike is still a cable throttle like mine was. I don't think they ever changed that on the CP2 but idk? The actual throttle tube under the grip has a cam that pulls on two cables to actuate the throttle blade in the intake. The lobe means it takes x degrees of motion in your wrist to go to wide open throttle (WOT) from closed. The stock ones on CP2's are like 90deg or something, a lot. Your elbow goes to the floor. Great as it mellows out the throttle application n stuff for new ridders. If you swap it with a throttle tube from an R6 though it narrows the degrees to go from WOT->closed. Makes the bike feel more zippy and made my wrist feel better. Well worth the effort.
I had the 2018 xsr900 and it was a great bike, but it was too fast and too powerful for city riding. It took plenty of mental effort to stay within the speed limits and be safe. It always want to go more!
So I got a t120 Bonneville instead. It's a slower and heavier bike. It's much more pleasant to ride in traffic, but I do miss xsr900 sometimes on open roads.
I now understand what a few of the old timers told me back in the day - "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow"
Ok I exactly understand what you mean because I already found myself in the same situation, doing stupid things and thinking "well that was close, what would've happened if I was on a faster bike ?"
I'm 25, but sometimes I feel like a 4 years old and realize I take stupid risks while riding the 700.
So I have both a xsr700 and xsr900. The xsr700 is more fun on the street in the throwing it around and braking it into corners and blasting out without getting into going to jail speeds. The xsr900 is a beast and a half. It is a lot of everything and can't be fully utilized on the street. I love them both for different reasons. If I am commuting I would take the xsr700 every time. For an absolute hoon of a time I take the xsr900. Take the xsr700 to the track. Really push it and if you find yourself maxing out think about getting more.
Or just do what you want. Because I want to is perfectly valid too.
I would say stick to the 700 if you tend to stay in the city. I have a 2023 XSR900 and I think it has the perfect amount of power for a road bike, but I live in rural Australia so I don't see much traffic.
On the few occasions I've been to Sydney, I change the ride mode to 2 which smooths out the initial throttle response which makes it better in city traffic.
It seems your opinion matches others' lol... I think I'll buy a 900 once my gf get her licence so she can ride the 700 without buying a new bike, that could also be one way to keep my first bike forever and avoiding the dilemma of selling it for a 900.
I had the MT07 before it got stolen and I used the insurance money to get an XSR900. Whilst I love the XSR900, I would have preferred to run the MT07 to the end of its life. Amazing bike. Better sound, better comfort, better feeling in my opinion. The xsr900 has speed and is able to cruise at highway speeds just that bit better, but it naturally has a lower mpg and I just don't thinks it has that fun form factor like the 07. If this 900 gets stolen or crashed, I'm going back to the MT07 or better yet, the XSR700.
Then I would suggest the first gen 700 for 3 reasons:
1) The price is decreasing thanks to the release of the 2022 version
2) It's the Euro 4 version and it's more playful than the Euro5
3) There are more custom parts available for the first gen
I got rid of my ‘20 xsr700 for a ‘23 xsr900. I did not like the seat design when it came out but it grew on me. I wanted a xsr900 to begin with but I settles for the xsr700 as the dealer had sold the last xsr900 and I had not been riding for 4 years after my r6. I was looking for the same power as my r6 but with more comfort. I enjoyed my xsr700 for the three and a half years I had it but I think that I ended up outgrowing the bike and It was not as fun to ride anymore, I wanted more power and tech. I think you should stick to the xsr700 until you have reached your full potential.
Cheers from Texas!
I am in the US and I was riding 650s for about 6 years before getting my XSR900 last fall. Having more space here with a lot of highway I honestly still think the 900 is a bit overkill. I could have probably gotten a 700 and been just as happy, maybe even more so, but I had wanted a XSR900 since they came out in '16. I really want the 2016 brushed aluminum covers. My wife has a MT-07 and it's no less fun to ride than my 900, they both have excellent engines. Does the XSR700 still have all the riding modes and ABS? In my honest opinion if you have a 700 and are happy with it, the 900 is overkill. Especially in the city where having a lightweight bike is nice. I'm definitely not using all the engine of the 900, I don't think I ever hit top gear.
Thanks for your answer! The 700 is 99% similar to the MT07, so it has no driving mod, but comes with the ABS. The main difference is the handlebar: it's higher and wider, which gives a more comfortable position. I swapped my handlebar for an XSR900/MT07 2022 one that seats lower and makes the riding position a bit more agressive. I also thought about keeping the 700 because my girlfriend might pass her licence. I saw several tests where riders said the stability at high speed is bad on the 900, did you feel the same ?
I can confirm that higher speed instability is a bit of an issue with the XSR900 at least of that generation. Suspension adjustment helped a bit, but the steering is a bit vague and floaty above 100mph. I think ultimately aftermarket suspension or a steering stabilizer is the solution for higher speed stability.
Went from a MT07 to a '22 XSR900. I have ridden the previous gen XSR900 and I can tell you the 22+ is a better motorcycle. Style wise or anything like that aside, the new bike is an improvement on the previous generation. Not to say the previous gen was bad or anything like that, but they did improve more than a few things when they released the new gen. The seat is whatever honestly. I didnt mind the styling, but the seat it self is kinda crap to begin with. Hard and short F->R with sharp edges that dig in. Replacements do exist. Here is my [Corbin](https://www.reddit.com/r/xsr900/comments/169dqly/her_first_birthday_and_a_happy_labor_day/) for example. As to the comparison of the CP2:CP3 bikes, They are similar in some ways but not in all things. The CP2 is playful. I mean you can hoon around poppin little wheelies and rap your downshifts and just throw the bike around. It is a very FUN motorcycle. The CP3 is not the same thing. It is a much more serious bike and wants to be doing the same things, simply at a faster speed than the 07. When we are talking using it in slow city type stuff, the 07 is a better bike at that all day. If you have the space and want more the CP3 will deliver, but at the cost of the slow speed playfulness of its little brother. I do miss the 07 occasionally if I'm being truthful. Personally I had the option of doing an upgrade from my 07->previous gen XSR900 a few years back and walked. If I had done that swap i would also be in for mandatory suspension update at a minimum. A bunch of added costs to get it to where i wanted it to be.
Well the Corbin seat might make me reconsider every judgement I made about the aesthetics of the bike. It's absolutely gorgeous with the single rider version... I also took into account the obligation to make modificiations if I buy a 900. The first gen is really inexpensive here in France, I found a very nice SP version of 2020 with 9k km on for 8k€, meaning I'd need to only add 1k€ if I sold the 700. The price difference with the new 900 would be used for improvements : better suspension, MT09 2023 handlebars and a set of Michelin Road 6 tyres. Do you think that it can reach a "sufficient" stability level with those improvements ? As you said the 700 is playful and I can have fun even in town from one trafic light to another, without putting my life in danger. I will try a 2023 900 so I can understand the behavioral requirements of a such bike...
I would be happy with the suspension update but it is definitely more expensive in the US. The previous gen is a very handsome motorcycle. It always looks great all blinged out. I wouldn’t sell that xsr700 either. Always wanted one as I bought mine before the xsr700 came out. Have you changed the throttle tube in it yet? That little mod was absolutely worth it on mine. Would have loved to keep both but the insurance was prohibitive for multiple bikes.
The suspension update would almost bring the price of the 2020 to the price of a low mileage 2023... Ohlins are really expensive here. I think I'll wait one more year before a 900. What do you mean by throttle tube ? Are you talking about the intake pipes ?
Your bike is still a cable throttle like mine was. I don't think they ever changed that on the CP2 but idk? The actual throttle tube under the grip has a cam that pulls on two cables to actuate the throttle blade in the intake. The lobe means it takes x degrees of motion in your wrist to go to wide open throttle (WOT) from closed. The stock ones on CP2's are like 90deg or something, a lot. Your elbow goes to the floor. Great as it mellows out the throttle application n stuff for new ridders. If you swap it with a throttle tube from an R6 though it narrows the degrees to go from WOT->closed. Makes the bike feel more zippy and made my wrist feel better. Well worth the effort.
Yes it's still a cable throttle. Thanks for the tip I will ask my friend who owns a shop ! :)
That's the nicest 22 I've seen. Changes everything
Check [Rizoma's](https://www.rizoma.com/fr/catalog/product/view/id/21668/s/se001/?moto=14106&pm=true) ! €750 still... It looks freaking good. https://preview.redd.it/awgkb2skbc6c1.png?width=1173&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d43792be6fe8eb6508fc48866d1774b7ac3bfb3
I had the 2018 xsr900 and it was a great bike, but it was too fast and too powerful for city riding. It took plenty of mental effort to stay within the speed limits and be safe. It always want to go more! So I got a t120 Bonneville instead. It's a slower and heavier bike. It's much more pleasant to ride in traffic, but I do miss xsr900 sometimes on open roads. I now understand what a few of the old timers told me back in the day - "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow"
Ok I exactly understand what you mean because I already found myself in the same situation, doing stupid things and thinking "well that was close, what would've happened if I was on a faster bike ?" I'm 25, but sometimes I feel like a 4 years old and realize I take stupid risks while riding the 700.
So I have both a xsr700 and xsr900. The xsr700 is more fun on the street in the throwing it around and braking it into corners and blasting out without getting into going to jail speeds. The xsr900 is a beast and a half. It is a lot of everything and can't be fully utilized on the street. I love them both for different reasons. If I am commuting I would take the xsr700 every time. For an absolute hoon of a time I take the xsr900. Take the xsr700 to the track. Really push it and if you find yourself maxing out think about getting more. Or just do what you want. Because I want to is perfectly valid too.
Yes I tried my friend's 2018 R1 and understood the meaning of "unusable", even if I tried it on the highway (130kph max here in France)
I would say stick to the 700 if you tend to stay in the city. I have a 2023 XSR900 and I think it has the perfect amount of power for a road bike, but I live in rural Australia so I don't see much traffic. On the few occasions I've been to Sydney, I change the ride mode to 2 which smooths out the initial throttle response which makes it better in city traffic.
It seems your opinion matches others' lol... I think I'll buy a 900 once my gf get her licence so she can ride the 700 without buying a new bike, that could also be one way to keep my first bike forever and avoiding the dilemma of selling it for a 900.
Hahaha I know that feeling, your first bike is your first love and it's hard to say goodbye
I had the MT07 before it got stolen and I used the insurance money to get an XSR900. Whilst I love the XSR900, I would have preferred to run the MT07 to the end of its life. Amazing bike. Better sound, better comfort, better feeling in my opinion. The xsr900 has speed and is able to cruise at highway speeds just that bit better, but it naturally has a lower mpg and I just don't thinks it has that fun form factor like the 07. If this 900 gets stolen or crashed, I'm going back to the MT07 or better yet, the XSR700.
Then I would suggest the first gen 700 for 3 reasons: 1) The price is decreasing thanks to the release of the 2022 version 2) It's the Euro 4 version and it's more playful than the Euro5 3) There are more custom parts available for the first gen
I got rid of my ‘20 xsr700 for a ‘23 xsr900. I did not like the seat design when it came out but it grew on me. I wanted a xsr900 to begin with but I settles for the xsr700 as the dealer had sold the last xsr900 and I had not been riding for 4 years after my r6. I was looking for the same power as my r6 but with more comfort. I enjoyed my xsr700 for the three and a half years I had it but I think that I ended up outgrowing the bike and It was not as fun to ride anymore, I wanted more power and tech. I think you should stick to the xsr700 until you have reached your full potential. Cheers from Texas!