We knew last year at the 2015 EICMA show that scrambler and other post-authentic models would finally be coming from the major manufacturers, especially as the Japanese OEMs caught up to the trend du jour.
At the time, the worry was that this marked motorcycling’s “jumping the shark” moment when it came to these throw-back machines, with the mainstream pushing out the fringe adopters, who would move on to their next counter-culture statement.
Today, we see the first of that momentum, with the 2017 Yamaha SCR950 – a scrambler-type model, which is based off the Yamaha Bolt cruiser platform.
Developed for the American market, the Yamaha SCR950 takes modest changes to its long and low design to make it appeal to the scrambler-loving contingent.
Like on the Yamaha Bolt, the SCR950 has a 942cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected, 60° v-twin engine. The double-cralde chassis remains mostly the same as well.
However, changes for the scrambler aesthetic include the addition of taller handlebars, number-plate-styled side covers, fork gaiters, wire-spoked aluminum wheels, low-profile seat, and a 2-into-1 exhaust pipe with upswept muffler.
As we can see from the photos, with riders clad in jeans, flannel shirts, and 3/4 helmets – this is very much a motorcycle aimed to be part of a larger style and fashion statement.
The question is though, will the younger demographic that Yamaha is targeting with the SCR950 accept this dressed up cruiser? Or, will they reject it as being post-authentic to their riding movement. Time will tell on that one.
Expect to see the 2017 Yamaha SCR950 at a Yamaha dealership near you, starting in July. Pricing is set at $8,699 MSRP, and of course there’s a bevy of Yamaha aftermarket parts and lifestyle accessories that will be available as well.
Source: Yamaha USA
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