There has already been a steady flow of interesting news coming out of Yamaha so far this year.
Following the expected announcement in January that their unit sales in Europe for the nine months to December 31st 2016 were up, February saw the company scoop a global “iF Design Award” for the fourth consecutive year for its XSR900.
Yamaha says it developed the XSR900 “to satisfy customers in developed markets who prefer a more “traditional” style of machine. The simple and retro exterior combined with performance through cutting-edge technology provides pride of ownership along with riding enjoyment”.
This award marks the fourth design honour for the XSR900, after the ”Good Design BEST100,” the “Auto Color Award 2016 Special Prize,” and the “JIDA Design Museum Selection Vol.18.”
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| The iF award-winning XSR900 |
The iF design awards have been awarded since 1953 by the international design promotion organisation Industrie Forum Design Hanover (iF), Germany.
In other news, the company has moved to strengthen its position in less well developed markets with what it describes as the “stylish and sporty GDR155 scooter ASEAN strategic model aiming to build a new sporty scooter category” and the’ CRUX Rev’, its first “strategic model” for Africa, Central America and the Caribbean.
The GDR155 aims to “create in the ASEAN region a sporty scooter category, which will become a stepping stone to the big scooter class”. Launched in Vietnam as the NVX and in Thailand as the AEROX in December 2016, the GDR155 will subsequently be introduced in Indonesia and other ASEAN markets.
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| GDR155 |
Manufactured in plants in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, development of the lightweight 116kg GDR155 targeted upwardly-mobile 25 to 30-year old males “with the intention of being crowned the "ASEAN Best Sporty Scooter." The 155cc ‘Blue Core’ engine incorporates a Smart Motor Generator – described as a Yamaha first - which combines start-up with power generation functionality to deliver quieter starting while also reducing power generation loss.
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| CRUX Rev |
The ‘CRUX Rev’ features a 4-stroke, air cooled 110cc ‘Blue Core’ engine, and is described by Yamaha as a “next-generation basic street model based on thorough local surveys to incorporate design aspects geared to local conditions and needs. Two configurations will be available - a spoke wheel specification with kick start, and a cast wheel specification with electric start”.
Yamaha says the “African and Central America/Caribbean motorcycle markets total roughly 3.6 million units (2016 results/Yamaha Motor survey). Approximately half of this number are 100 to 150cc motorcycles, which are used as bike taxis. The current CRUX model (110cc) was originally developed for India, and was introduced in Africa and Central America/the Caribbean from the early 2000s.
“It earned popularity in Africa through its use as a bike taxi, and in Central America/the Caribbean for its entry-level commuter and delivery purposes. With the growth of various financial support systems such as microfinance in recent years, demand for bike taxis and delivery applications is forecast to grow even further, and customers expect the launch of models which fulfil criteria for fuel efficiency, cost and quality/reliability.
“The CRUX Rev has been developed in response to these needs, and is a model with superior cost-performance in addition to great practicality and comfort. Although IYM (India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd.) will be the main production company, CKD production of the same model is scheduled for Yamaha Motor's Nigerian production company, CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Ltd. (CYMNG) in 2017”.
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| Yamaha’s ‘Yard Built’ custom bike build programme is underway again already for 2017 – seen here is the all-new SCR950, reinterpreted by Californian customiser Jeff Palhegyi – a homage to the 1966 YDS3C Big Bear Scrambler that featured a custom exhaust system with heat shields which hark back to the days of do-it-all motorcycles, Renthal handlebars wrapped in Duane Ballard Custom Leather that matches the seat and front fork tool pouch, a shortened swingarm suspended by Fox RC1 Podium 14-inch performance rear shocks, custom sub-frame and side panels, custom vintage off-road style front and rear fenders, chunky Shinko Adventure Trail tires mounted on Californian made Ride Wright 40-spoke aluminium soft lip wheels, custom aluminium headlight bracket and skid plate, steel braided brake lines and a "Faster Sons" custom-logoed aluminium cover for the K&N air cleaner |
