[SCR950 News]

Yamaha’s SCR950 may be designed for tarmac riding, but that doesn’t mean it can’t handle a bit of off-roading as well. Steve Farrell from VisorDown, had a chance to take the adapted cruiser for a bit of gravelly fun at the bike’s press launch in Sardinia.

The SCR950 adaptations include a new sub-frame, raised seat, 19-inch front wheel, 145mm ground clearance and a set of Bridgestone Trail Wing dual-purpose tyres. For the more adventurous riders who may try jump the cruiser, Yamaha has added a foam pad to the wide handlebar in case your chin decides to introduce itself.

He had no trail riding expectations upon arrival at the test site, but off road they went. Fully fueled, the SCR950 weighs a hefty 252kg and there just isn’t enough suspension travel for it to go over any deep holes.

They rode along some gentle fire-trail-type gravel and dirt roads with a few holes here and there. While it may have clattered a bit, the SCR950 handled the trail better than he expected. The knobby tires certainly helped in the confidence department in fourth gear and shallow streams won’t be a problem. Another plus is the well positioned bars that can easily be reached even when you’re standing on the pegs and there’s space for your knees to move around thanks to a narrow tank.

You may not be able to tackle any difficult terrain on the SCR950, but a relaxed jaunt around relatively level trails should be fine.

 

[TheScrambled]

Here is the SCR950 crossing a small stream: https://www.instagram.com/p/BSO3beMgCpD/?tagged=scr950

Looks fun but it's not something I would do, just a pain to clean everything after going through a stream and then re-lubing everything.

 

[Cruze]

Just the thought of wet gear makes me cringe so I'm definitely not a stream crosser at all by any means haha. The cleaning I don't mind, it's just the discomfort.

 

[OpenRoad]

I found a video of the SCR950 take off on a dirt road and it actually has less wheel spin than I thought it would. https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUaavylxuA/?tagged=scr950

The aftermath and subsequent cleaning made me cringe a bit, but man does it look fun.

 

[TheScrambled]

Such a pain to clean all that dirt out, especially under the little nooks and crannies, have to remove the plastic panels too. That's probably why there are dedicated dirt bikes for off-road riding in mud. But the SCR950 should come out relatively clean after riding on dry dirt roads.

 

[TheScrambled]

Should be fine to give the SCR950 a good hosing so long as you block off the exhaust with a muffler plug. The air box should be fine since it comes with its own cover. Then go in with a grab a mitt or rag and brushes. Dry the bike and grease where needed.