Yamaha SCR950
Air-cooled V-twin cruiser converted to street scrambler Mild engine, basic chassis, weak brakes – but gentle fun
THE LEAD RIDER barely hesitated when the Sardinian dirt road we were following was blocked by a shallow stream. He was up on the pegs and splashing through, then up the opposite bank and away with a shower of stones from his rear tyre, followed slightly warily by the rest of our Yamaha Scr950-riding group.
Yamaha took a similarly direct route when wanting a quick entry to the growing market for retro-styled street scramblers, as popularised by BMW, Ducati and Triumph. The Japanese firm had a donor bike of suitable vintage: the XV950 cruiser was launched four years ago – not exactly a best-seller but it’s been the basis of some high-profile custom bikes in the United States.
Even the most imaginative custom builders probably hadn’t envisaged the XV as an adventure bike, but that’s sort of what it becomes when transformed into the SCR950. Its 942cc 60° V-twin engine gets some minor tweaks to get through Euro 4 without altering the modest maximum output of 53bhp at 5500rpm.
That air-cooled motor and twin-shock chassis give an authentic Eighties look and Yamaha have done a good job with the styling, especially the shapely petrol tank with a hint of XT500 about it. Steel mudguards, oval race-style sidepanels and a Siamesed exhaust system with upswept single silencer add to the effect.
The tubular steel frame is modified, with a new rear subframe that increases seat height from the XV’S 690mm to 830mm. New 41mm forks and remote reservoir shocks increase suspension travel, though only to 135mm up front and 110mm at the rear. A wide, braced handlebar and wire-spoked wheels wearing Bridgestone Trail Wing rubber complete the transformation.
The performance is predictably basic, but still enjoyable provided you’re not in a hurry. The softly tuned V-twin rumbles up to a lazy 70mph cruising pace and accelerates from there towards a top speed of about 100mph. The solidly mounted V-twin has plenty of character, plus a high-rev lumpiness that encourages use of the fairly ponderous fivespeed gearbox. At least the handling is forgiving and respectably light – for a bike that weighs a hefty 252kg with fuel. The wide handlebar gives easy steering, but on dry roads the SCR’S cruiser origins show, as ground clearance runs out before the Trail Wings are troubled. Braking is basic, the twin-piston front caliper requiring a firm squeeze to generate serious stopping.
The SCR coped easily with that stream but was out of its depth going further off-road, due mainly to suspension that lacks the travel or damping to cope with more than minor bumps. But it’s fun for a gentle dirt-road rumble. At £8499, it costs less than its modern scrambler rivals, but it still seems expensive for what’s essentially an ageing cruiser whose modifications don’t come close to creating a genuine dual-purpose bike.
“It’s enjoyable, provided you’re not in a hurry”