Yamaha XSR700

Cafe Racer appeal with modern day reliability – This bike is priced at $14,299 and is available in two colour ways. It's not the most affordable first bike, butI’d say this is one of the best alternatives to the Ducati Monster 659, which is similarly priced and very popular with many learners. I loved how this bike sounded stock, but we all know a slip-on aftermarket exhaust makes this CP2 motor sound a whole lot more mean.

This CP2 motor produces a learner-friendly 655cc, 38.3kW (52hp) and 57.5Nm. Without the added weight of fairings, you can feel this naked sports bike come alive with every twist of the throttle.

I’m a big fan of the responsiveness from the CP2 motor compared to the L-twin set-up found in the Ducati Monster. The motor is exciting to rev out, and offers plenty of power for a learner to use throughout their licence progression.

Don’t be scared by that big displacement figure; the CP2 is extremely smooth at low speeds, and doesn’t require an excessive amount of throttle to operate around town.

Upside KYB forks up front and an adjustable rear shock that’s attached directly to the engine casing makes the XSR feel dynamic, nimble and fairly comfortable to ride. The flat seat and laid-back handlebars created a commanding riding position. Although the lack of a windshield makes riding on windy days just slightly more demanding.

The XSR700 is a fantastic learner bike option. It has approachable ergonomics, lots of power and extremely attractive styling. I’d be opting for this bike over the R7 and R3 purely because of my personal preference for heritage-inspired naked bikes.

I’d recommend the R3 for those who are into the super-sport style of riding. I’d recommend the XSR for those who are eyeing up a 600cc motorcycle that they can comfortably ride every day. If weekend riding is all you have on your mind, then I’d suggest the more sporty setup of the R7 instead.

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XSR700 is the perfect all-rounder – I have owned the bike 4 years without any issues. It has just reached 20,000 kms and has been a reliable and loyal companion. The XSR700 has the same frame and engine as the already famous Yamaha MT07 so much of what is said of that bike also holds true for the XSR. The bike rides more comfortably with a semi-upright position typical of a true naked moto-roadster bike. It is fashioned somewhere between scrambler and cafe racer with different coloured tanks for the production year. With it's liquid-cooled 689cc (or 659cc in Australia) inline 2-cylinder 4-stroke 270 degree crank, torque is linear, smooth and available throughout low to high rev ranges. The rear shock should be set to firmest position upon purchase for better performance. Many accessories are available for this bike and endless support. Some have chosen to learn on this bike but I would personally recommend an MT03 for learning. While the bike is extremely forgiving, it's still a powerful and heavy bike and more can be learned on a lighter more nimble bike. It's standard Pirelli Phantom tires aren't amazing and should be upgraded to Michelin Road 4/5 or similar. The seat isn't super soft but it's fine for me and there are replacement seats available. The bike is an overall winner, it can be ridden long distances with less fatigue than sports bikes yet can still be ridden aggressively with excellent feedback and control. For any rider with previous riding experience you cant go wrong with this bike. Absolutely love it