Photo: Maria Riding Company
If you asked me, I’d be truly delighted to get on top of this thing and ride off to unpaved roads.
A few months ago, we featured two mechanical titans born under Maria Riding Company’s roof, namely a spectacular Yamaha XJR1300-based entity and a bespoke Kawasaki W650. This time around, we’ll be introducing you to MRC’s “Orbiter,” a rugged XSR700 crafted for the manufacturer’s Yard Built contest.
Within its framework, the donor bike carries a liquid-cooled 689cc parallel-twin mill that boasts a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and four valves per cylinder. At 9,000 rpm, the engine is good for up to 74 wild ponies, with 50 pound-feet (68 Nm) of peak torque achieved at about 6,500 spins.
A chain final drive receives this force from a six-speed constant mesh transmission, enabling Yamaha’s two-wheeled samurai to reach a top speed of no less than 120 mph (193 kph). Now that we’ve examined the original bike’s main specs and features, let’s dive in for a thorough analysis of the Orbiter.
In the performance department, Portugal’s moto gurus installed a bespoke exhaust system fabricated in-house and a fresh pair of inverted forks to improve handling. Additional stopping power is summoned by a higher-spec dual disc brake setup that replaces the stock module up front.
Next, the MRC crew fitted XSR’s rear end with a unique subframe in preparation for a custom outfit, which consists of oval number plates and an enduro-style front fender, as well as a flawless monocoque structure that merges the tank and tail into a single unit. You will also spot a tiny leather saddle atop the new tail.
A one-off triple clamp is tasked with supporting Maria’s repurposed handlebar, while the front and rear lighting items have been discarded in favor of aftermarket counterparts. Finally, the Orbiter rides on a set of laced hoops, with a diameter of 19 inches at the front and 17 inches on the opposite end. To ensure optimal grip is achieved on and off the tarmac, their rims are hugged firmly by dual-purpose rubber.
Within its framework, the donor bike carries a liquid-cooled 689cc parallel-twin mill that boasts a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and four valves per cylinder. At 9,000 rpm, the engine is good for up to 74 wild ponies, with 50 pound-feet (68 Nm) of peak torque achieved at about 6,500 spins.
A chain final drive receives this force from a six-speed constant mesh transmission, enabling Yamaha’s two-wheeled samurai to reach a top speed of no less than 120 mph (193 kph). Now that we’ve examined the original bike’s main specs and features, let’s dive in for a thorough analysis of the Orbiter.
In the performance department, Portugal’s moto gurus installed a bespoke exhaust system fabricated in-house and a fresh pair of inverted forks to improve handling. Additional stopping power is summoned by a higher-spec dual disc brake setup that replaces the stock module up front.
Next, the MRC crew fitted XSR’s rear end with a unique subframe in preparation for a custom outfit, which consists of oval number plates and an enduro-style front fender, as well as a flawless monocoque structure that merges the tank and tail into a single unit. You will also spot a tiny leather saddle atop the new tail.
A one-off triple clamp is tasked with supporting Maria’s repurposed handlebar, while the front and rear lighting items have been discarded in favor of aftermarket counterparts. Finally, the Orbiter rides on a set of laced hoops, with a diameter of 19 inches at the front and 17 inches on the opposite end. To ensure optimal grip is achieved on and off the tarmac, their rims are hugged firmly by dual-purpose rubber.
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