Yamaha FZ8
Yamaha Press (click on image)
Yamaha has started a teasing campaign before the full unveiling of its FZ8.
So far all that's been released is this shot of the headlight, though we can guess some more from the name. The bike will have a four-cylinder engine of 750-800cc, pitching it against such rivals as Kawasaki's Z750, Aprilia's Shiver 750, the BMW F800R and even Triumph's Street Triple, which punches well above its capacity.
The FZ series are high spec, high performing bikes so expect the FZ8 to come with supersport levels of equipment such as radial brakes and inverted forks. Current prices of the base model FZ1 and FZ6 are £8,299 and £5,699, so after the January VAT increase and with 2010 price rises included, expect the FZ8 to cost around £7,500 with a £400 premium for ABS.
This also poses the question, as FZ engines are derived from pure sports bike ones, does this mean we'll be seeing an R7 or R8, to take on the GSX-R750?
No date has been given either for the release of full details or for the bike to go on sale.
Fri, 25/12/2009 - 12:35
#2
Yamaha is having some big financial problems, like most other bike companies and this has definitely affected new model launches, the R6 for example has been put back a year. I suspect they're going for the FZ8 sooner than the Super Ténéré simply because it was further down the development road already. Also it will be an easier bike to develop as it will be at least based on the FZ6, quite possibly nothing more than an enlarged engine and a restyle, where the Super Ténéré is pretty much starting from scratch, including the engine, so it will cost a lot more to develop.
Tue, 05/01/2010 - 22:45
#3
Well here is where I dig my heels in. After the disregard that Yamaha have shown to the motorcycling public by not bothering to show their wares at the recent big European shows then they can shove any new bikes up their tail pipes as far as my purchasing pounds (well Korun) are concerned. Yes they may have financial woes but so does everyone else yet the likes of Suzuki, Kawasaki, Moto-Morini, MV Augusta, Harley Davidson, Moto Guzzi, Ducati etc etc still thought enough of the paying public to exhibit in Milan and some of them are in much deeper trouble. Honda and Yamaha obviously think they don't need to, so up theirs!
Wed, 06/01/2010 - 16:11
#4
Wadham - "So why push a smaller market segment bike ?"
This is actually the largest selling MC category in EU.
Wed, 13/01/2010 - 03:21
#5
Hi Kev and All,
Does anyone know if Yamaha are going to sell the RD350 2 stroke that I have seen a professional Cad design of on a forum in the USA.
I have added the image for you to see. I think this is exactly the sort of bike I want for town/country lane riding. It would take me back to 17yr old again.
Tried adding the image but kept getting error message.
Send me a message if you can't find the image and would like to see it.
Wed, 13/01/2010 - 09:17
#6
PYak - I would love to see the image.
I would be surprised however if Yamaha were to release a two stroke machine of this capacity as it is about as politically correct as an Enola Gay fly past at the Hiroshima Air Show. This is sad as I have read many times over the years that two strokes can now be made to run incredibly clean but the powers that be have come down on them so hard around the world and in places they would be unlikely to turn around.
It would be great if there was a new RD350 - what a bike it was and indeed I still have my trusty 350LC in the garage awaiting restoration, or sould I say completion of it as I ripped it apart last year!
Thu, 14/01/2010 - 22:03
#7
Not sure why you're getting an error message, it's a shame as I'm sure a lot of people would like to see it. Maybe you could try posting a link instead? Or let me know what you're doing and I'll see if I can sort the problem - I'm hoping we can make image posting a little more intuitive soon anyway.
Having said that, there's no chance of Yamaha reviving the LC or any two-stroke in the foreseeable future, sadly. It's not just about emissions either, but the whole image of two-strokes within and beyond the motorcycle world. They can indeed meet emissions regulations - Mercury has some two-stroke outboards which are legal in California, which has the world's strictest marine emissions regulations. These all use Orbital's lean burn, stratified charge technology, and in fact Aprilia went some way towards producing a 750cc V-four two-stroke superbike about six years ago, which met emissions regulations and was far lighter and more powerful than any contemporary 1 litre four-stroke superbike. Incredibly they decided not enough people would buy it to justify the £12 million development costs! I mean, I'd have had TWO! Aprilia is still strong on the Orbital technology still though, using it in some of its scooters.
Tue, 19/01/2010 - 21:09
#8
Hi Guys,
I'm so pleased that there are other 2 stroke aficionados around, I thought most of us were dead or at the very least had 3-4 kids running around the place. LOL.
This RD350 design is absolutely superb, I will try and post the image again, or try and find the site that I grabbed the image from so I can show you all, I am 100% sure you'll be impressed.
As Kevin said, I would have 2 of them if a manufacturer designed a 125-145KG, 750cc, 2 Stroke, 175BHP motorbike. What a mean machine that would be. I also don't understand why the Orbital technology was bought by Ford (I Believe) and shelved. What better than a lean burn 2 stroke, much simpler mechanicals, with superb power characteristics.
Tue, 19/01/2010 - 23:31
#9
Hi Kev and All,
I have uploaded the image of the RD350 (New Design), I noticed at the bottom of the image that it was designed by Oberdan Bezzi. I have never heard of them before but this RD350 and the 2 stroke TDR that they posted were great. I know if Yamaha made bikes like these at reasonable buying price, and the added advantage of decent running/maintenance costs I would order one today.
I've posted the image under "RD350 2 stroke wonder bike".
KEVIN I actually got the loading of an image to a new comment section of your site. I must have made a mistake last time I tried, or it may have been under the influence of too many beers.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Paul
Interesting this.
Did I not read recently that Yamaha were in dire financial position and had delayed introducing the new Super-Tenere because of that. The Super-Tenere would be pitched into the biggest selling/growing market segment (Tall-Roaders) so could be a good seller and good for the balance sheet.
So why push a smaller market segment bike ?