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An homage to the legendary XT500, the Yamaha XSR XTribute is a modern-day cafe racer designed for the most passionate retro bike fans.

The Yamaha XT500 was an enduro-style motorcycle that helped lay the blueprint for the next generation of XT bikes. Nowadays, riders can choose from multiple scramblers, with Yamaha’s XTribute being a viable choice for many.

The XTribute offers a better experience than motocross bikes with a retro theme to pay homage to the XT500. The new scrambler is based on an XSR700, a “café racer” version of Yamaha's most prominent MT-07. All these bikes use the same thumping CP2 engine, producing good power and torque.

The XTribute kicks off its scrambler look with chunky controls. The off-road tapered handlebars look amazing, offering the rider excellent grip for both on-road and off-road excursions. These handlebars also help give the XTribute a proper urban scrambler look.

Riders can also feel comfortable standing on their footrests, especially due to their chunky nature. They feature rubber inserts that make them comfortable for the road. Once the rider goes off-road, they can remove the rubber inserts for better grip, especially when standing up.

Sound is a crucial aspect of any motorcycle. With the regulations becoming stricter with time, Yamaha has made the XTribute sound great for most riders. The stock exhaust is muted for most riders, but there's an option to get an Akrapovič exhaust.

It's not the loudest solution on the market, but it helps the rider get more sound out of the XTribute. The Akrapovič exhaust also satiates the needs of riders who want to get more out of the CP2 engine.

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The XTribute is a beginner-friendly scrambler due to its agility. The motorcycle is easy to handle with a wet weighing of 190 kilograms. It’s the lightest scrambler in its category, with the slightly less powerful Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled weighing 209 kilograms.

Its light weight makes it easy to maneuver, be it off-road or on the road. Riders can also feel comfortable trying out the scrambler due to its manageable 75 hp and50 lb-ft of torque.

Like the XSR700, the XTribute also features a new heritage-inspired round LED headlight. The round LED light helps usher the XTribute into the modern era. Besides, it shines brighter, thus helping riders during the night or early morning rides.

The new lighting system features a projector and a semicircular position lamp. This adds to the scrambler look of the XTribute, setting it apart from some of its competition. At the rear, the XTribute has a classic round LED light and some compact LED indicators.

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The 2019 XSR700 and XSR XTribute had an LCD screen that was hard for riders to view under direct sunlight. In 2022, riders can enjoy the inverted LCD meter that offers improved visibility. It’s placed in a forward position and has a dark tint making it ideal for all riding conditions.

Riders also get to enjoy a revised cockpit layout with integrated headlight stays. The cockpit is classically shaped to match the new headlight, thus giving the XTribute a sleeker look.

The XTribute comes from the factory with 10 spoke cast wheels wrapped in chunky dual-purpose block pattern tires. These tires offer excellent grip in all weather and road conditions. Riders can enjoy their XTribute on twisty roads and later go for an off-road experience.

The scrambler also seems a bit menacing with some black accents like the black fork gaiters. They help protect the forks while making them easier to clean after a dusty or muddy off-road time. All the black accents on the XTribute help give an aggressive, durable off-road look.

Related: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Yamaha Tenere 700

Riders can get peace of mind knowing they can stop quickly at anytime. The XTribute features two 282 mm discs at the front with four-piston calipers. There is a single 245 disc at the rear with one piston caliper. Both braking options offer enough stopping power even when riding aggressively.

Good brakes alter how most people ride, allowing them to discover the limits of their bikes. Yamaha offers excellent braking on their XTribute, making it a fun motorcycle on twisty roads.

The XTribute takes advantage of the frugal, fun, and high-engaging 689cc MT-07 CP2 engine. This is Yamaha’s version of an engine that can handle everyday riding conditions. It’s ideal for all riding conditions making it a fun option in the XTribute.

The CP2 produces 75 hp and delivers plenty of low-end torque. Riders enjoy 50 lb-ft of torque, making it a fun option on the highway and city commutes.

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A motorcycle’s frame is the core structure since it provides a location for the steering suspension, rear suspension, and engine while supporting the rider, passenger, and luggage. The XTribute has a light and slim tubular frame.

This frame offers easy maneuverability, making the bike ideal for all riders. The slim frame features a light steel backbone that helps with the compact wheelbase. In return, riders can enjoy a responsive and engaging ride.

The XTribute pays homage to Yamaha’s XT500. This is evident from the chosen color scheme and its name, XTribute. The scrambler has a unique color scheme from the 1981 desert race enduro machine, the XT500.

The color helps match the bold yet pure styling of the XTribute with the aluminum tank covers with the iconic XT500-inspired decals. The wheels also get similar off-road heritage treatment with the same finish as the XT500.

Brian is a husband, father and freelance writer. He's also a tech and automotive junkie passionate about cars and motorcycles. Brian is also an F1 fan - team Mercedes (LH). When he's not writing, Brian goes for impromptu drives and walks.