Yamaha: Another three for 2004

Although it held its dealer meeting in Las Vegas in June, Yamaha Motor Co. recently released information on three new and revamped super sport motorcycles planned for 2004: the all-new FZ6S, R1, and a re-tooled R6.
A newcomer to the U.S., the FZ6S has been sold in Europe for a number of years and, according to Yamaha, is one of the best selling motorcycles in that market. Looks? Most basically, it is a small-sized clone of the popular FZ1 — which was brought from Europe to the U.S. after relentless prodding from stateside consumers.
“Yamaha spends a lot of time analyzing the market to determine where a new product might be successful,” Brad Banister, Yamaha’s public relations manager, told Powersports Business. “There is also a lot of discussion with our dealer network, field sales staff, and of course, focus groups with customers regarding what type of product they think would sell.
“That said, with updates, the new FZ6 made sense for our market. We’ve had great success with the FZ1 — it’s the number one selling standard — and the FZ6 is really a smaller bore FZ1 with some extra cool stuff to make it very, very appealing.”
Cool stuff?
“Yeah, an underseat exhaust, CF aluminum frame and a R6 based engine,” Banister said. “It brings everything together in a motorcycle that offers exciting performance and sensible ergonomics for everyday riding.”
While price will not be released until later this month, and the bike will not be shipped until December, Banister promises it to be priced to compete with the SV650S.
R1
The differences between the 2004 YZF-R1 and the prior year model are obvious. It’s aesthetically different, and the new from the ground-up design is said to make the ‘04 lighter and even more powerful.
Yamaha says the completely redesigned short-stroke 998cc, DOHC, 20-valve, liquid-cooled, inline 4-cylinder engine now produces 180 horsepower at 12,500 rpm. A two-piece ergonomically designed fuel tank carries fuel in the rear section and a new ram-air-fed airbox in the front. An all-new, aluminum Deltabox main frame reduces width from 464 to 395.6mm; an all-new, Controlled Fill die cast, truss-type swingarm is 30% stronger; front-end geometry receives 5mm more fork offset and reduced trail from 103mm to 97mm; clip-on handlebars are10mm higher; footpegs are 2.5mm further forward and 7.5mm lower; the rear brake system is lighter; a fully adjustable KYB inverted telescopic front fork receives stiffer springs and 4.7″ of travel while a piggyback rear shock with a stiffer spring offers 5.1″ of wheel travel.
Available in Team Yamaha Blue/White; Liquid Silver/Cerulean Silver; or Shift Red, additional features on the bike include underseat exhaust; headlights; a new instrument panel with adjustable LCD illumination and multi-function digital gauges; new bodywork, and 120/70-ZR17 and 190/50-ZR17 radial tires.
R6
Yamaha says changes made to the YZF-R6 for 2004 include a remapped fuel injection for improved response throughout the powerband; a larger volume exhaust canister for improved exhaust flow at high rpm; and newly designed 120/60-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR17 rear Dunlop radial tires. The Deltabox IlI aluminum chassis is said to be 50% stiffer.
It will be available in Team Yamaha Blue/White; Liquid Silver w/ Flames; or Rapid Red.
Yamaha says the R6 will be made available next month, the FZ6S will ship in December