MOTORCYCLE – Yamaha Unveils 2006 Supersport Models
Yamaha Motor Corp. USA revealed five new sportbikes on September 1. The bikes join several other new units unveiled at the company’s dealer meeting, held in June.
Expected to return to dealer showrooms in the coming year are the revamped YZF-R1, FZ1 and YZF-R6, as well as the updated FJR1300 and FZ6.
Available in Team Yamaha Blue/White, Raven or 50th Anniversary Yellow/Black, the 2006 R1 has a modified frame, longer swingarm and revised 43mm fully-adjustable inverted front fork that Yamaha says sharpens handling, traction and responsiveness. Plus – especially important to racers and consumer mag adrenaline junkies – a revised cylinder head unleashes an additional three horsepower.
Yamaha says the FZ1 has been recreated for 2006, returning to the line-up with its R1 engine in an all-new, aluminum frame that’s linked to a longer swingarm. The FZ1 also will come with a 43mm inverted fork (w/left-leg compression damping adjustment, right-leg rebound adjustment). Colors offered include Shift Red and Silver.
Available in Team Yamaha Blue/White, Raven, and 50th Anniversary Yellow/Black, the new R6 features an all-new four-cylinder engine, a MotoGP-derived “straight frame” chassis, and a titanium MotoGP-style exhaust.
Yamaha says the 2006 FJR1300 has been refined for greater rider and passenger comfort. A new airflow management with improved heat shielding works to keep both the rider and the bike cooler and more comfortable, while adjustable seat, handlebars, windscreen and middle fairing provide increased ergonomic compatibility for a broad range of rider size.
Also new to the FJR1300: bodywork providing a sleeker overall profile; new lights, mirrors and instrumentation with integrated gear indicator; a new, standard ABS system provides unified braking; and a new fuel-injection system.
The FZ6, available in Blue and Shift Red, receives a blacked-out frame and engine for 2006.
Yamaha says prices and further specifications are to be announced September 28.
STAR
Yamaha displayed much of its 2006 line-up of cruisers, scooters, motocross, off-road and dual-purpose bikes, plus the 2006 YZF600R, at its dealer meeting in June.
Bikes garnering the most attention represented the new 1854cc Stratoliner and Roadliner series, both of which are represented by three distinct models: the standard, the “Midnight” and the “S”.
While the Roadliner series (MSRP $13,580-$14,980) is expected to be available by October, the Stratoliner series ($15,180-$16,580) is expected to be in dealerships by December.
Star bikes returning to dealer showfloors for 2006 include the Royal Star Tour Deluxe ($13,999); Royal Star Venture ($16,799); Road Star ($11,099-$11,299); Road Star Midnight ($11,999); Road Star Silverado ($12,799); Road Star Midnight Silverado ($13,499); Road Star Warrior ($12,399-$12,499); V Star 1100 Classic ($8,599-$8,799); V Star 1100 Custom ($8,499); V Star 1100 Silverado ($9,599-$9,799); V Star Classic ($5,999-$6,199); V Star Custom ($5,899); V Star Silverado ($6,999-$7,199); V Max ($11,099); and Virago 250 ($3,499).
The Road Star bikes and V-Max were scheduled to appear this month.
SCOOTER
To fill out its scooter line-up, Yamaha introduced the 250cc Morphous ($5,199) and 125cc Vino ($2,499) scooters, both which were scheduled to arrive in showrooms this month.
One best-selling Yamaha vehicle not returning for 2006 is the 50cc two-stroke Zuma scooter. Still, in addition to the aforementioned Morphous and Vino 125, Yamaha has the returning Majesty ($5,799); and 50cc Vino Classic ($1,849).
Updated for ’06, the Vino Classic receives a new four-stroke engine; an anti-theft rear wheel lock; and a new speedometer with integrated fuel gauge.
The Majesty shipped in July, all others began shipping this month.
DIRT
In Motocross, dealers and enthusiasts can look forward to newly developed YZ250F ($5,999-$6,199) and YZ450F ($6,899-$7,099), the YZ 250 ($6,199), YZ 125 ($5,499), YZ 85 ($3,099), WR 450F ($6,799), and WR250F ($6,099).
The Off-Road line includes the new TT-R50E, plus the returning TT-R250 ($4,499); TT-R230 ($3,399), TT-R125LE, ($2,749), TT-R125L ($2,549), TT-R125E ($2,449), TT-R90E ($1,699), PW80 ($1,299); and PW50 ($1,099). Deliveries of the TT-R50E ($1,149) began in July. The only other changes to this line are a new “Gripper-style” seat for the TT-R125LE, TT-R125L and TT-R125E.
Finally, still in Yamaha’s Dual Purpose line-up are the unchanged XT 225 ($4,149) and TW 200 ($3,749).
– Guido Ebert