Custom Yamaha XSR700: Classic American Heritage with Modern Tech

A racer paying homage to Pacific Northwest adventure.

The Rural Racer Concept XSR700 Pays Homage to back road adventure, rural exploration, and speed of the Pacific Northwest.

Originally shown in February as a “work-in-progress” at the One Moto Show in Portland, Oregon, the completed Rural Racer Concept bike was unveiled at the Handbuilt Show in Austin, Texas this weekend. 

The custom XSR700 was designed and built using Yamaha’s 689cc cross plane parallel twin engine by premium gear company Velomacchi and Yamaha Motors, in collaboration with DJI Drones, Yoshimura exhaust, Champion, and Race Tech suspension.

Also check out: Forkless! The 1993 Yamaha GTS1000 Explored New Technologies

Intending to pay homage to the past while looking to the future, the goal was to showcase state-of-the-art technology and performance, inspired the riding environment in the pacific Northwest – back road adventure, rural exploration, and speed.

custom yamaha xsr700 rural racer concept

“The XSR700 is an excellent platform for Northwest roads,” says Kevin Murray, Founder of Velomacchi, “The ease in which we could upgrade suspension, bolt on performance accessories, and modify the sub-frame to carry specific loads, made it incredibly versatile so we can “tune” the bike to meet the specific riding style, environment, and cargo of the rider.”

The Rural Racer XSR700 features a high level of customization and versatility, including Race Tech suspension intended for aggressive back country riding, custom Yoshimura exhaust that offers less weight and more power, as well as a drone mounted to the tank by DJI. The compact airframe carries a 4K HD video camera intended to scope out camping spots or locate riding buddies from above.

Also check out: 2018 Yamaha Star Venture Cruiser: Latest Luxury Tourer Arrives this Summer

Shun Miyazawa, Yamaha Motorcycle Project Manager and Rural Racer Project collaborator says, “The Rural Racer XSR700 keeps the heritage-inspired vibe people love, while also delivering 21st century technology and unrivaled performance.”

Custom XSR700 Rural Racer XSR700 Product Specs:

  • Yamaha Cross Plane, Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 689cc Parallel Twin Engine
  • Desert racing headlamp with modified lo/hi Beam
  • Detachable rear sub-frame to carry extra fuel cell, tools, and duffle
  • Custom Italian wheels with patented tubeless construction
  • Race Tech Gold Valve suspension upgrade in front forks
  • G3-S custom rear shocks by Race Tech
  • Custom leather 3/4 seat with hand-cut letters
  • DJI Mavic Pro (4K HD) mounted on fuel tank
  • “Works” custom dual exhaust by Yoshimura R&D
custom yamaha xsr700 rural racer concept
Up Next:
Author:
Dustin Woods
Dustin Woods
For the better part of a decade Dustin has been contributing automotive, motorcycle, travel and lifestyle content to the likes of The Toronto Star, Robb Report, Motorcycle Mojo, Sun Media, Motorcycle.com, Moto123.com, Inside Motorcycles, HOG magazine, BMW Motorcycle Magazine, Modified Luxury & Exotics and Performance Auto & Sound. His passion for adventure and love of speed has taken him on a journey not for the faint of heart.