The Rumored New Models

The rumored new models

ROUNDUP

With Yamaha, the whole lineup has just been revised, and no big changes are anticipated during this model year. However, the RZV250R, a two-stroke, liquid-cooled V-Twin. has been developed to the point where it can be put into production. Yamaha appears to be thinking of introducing this model as soon as the demand for the inlineTwin 250cc RZ250R two-stroke in the home market begins to fall. It is difficult to predict exactly when that will be, but it is very likely the new model will appear this fall.

A prototype of another Yamaha model, one that hasn't even generated rumors, was sighted just recently. It may be said to be a Japanese Ducati, with a classical silhouette and an almost L-Twin (90-degree V) engine. The construction is like that of a past generation of Italian motorcycles: double-cradle frame, long tank, clip-on handlebars and large, round headlight.

Together with sportbikes that represent its advanced technology,

Yamaha appears to be planning to fill out its line by pushing style—or what the Japanese would call “taste” —to the fore, as can be seen in the classic SR400 and 500 Singles, the new-generation SRX-4 and 6 Singles, and the hot-rod V-Max.

In much the same way, Suzuki is rumored to be developing a sportbike of unknown displacement that reminds one of a Ducati Single. Kawasaki is also studying sportbikes mounted with KLR250 and KLR600 engines. And because Honda is planning to enter a turbocharged bike in the World GPs in 1986, it may be that a VT250 Turbo could appear earlier than expected.

So one must conclude that whether it is the VS750 Intruder referred to as “the Harley-Davidson of Suzuki,” or the L-Twin of Yamaha, the motorcycle makers of Japan seem to be reaching a turning point, both in the development of new models and in the variety of their lineups, with “taste” becoming as important as performance.