Yamaha

YAMAHA

PREVIEW '89

WHILE THE "P-WORD" HAS been stricken from at least one motorcycle manufacturer's vocabulary, other companies are shouting it. Yamaha, for one, is offering no excuses for the performance bikes in its 1989 lineup. They include an all-new and more powerful FZR1000, a new FZR600 that should set middleweight standards at a competitive price, and a welcome return and updating of the gentleman’s superbike, the FJ1200.

The FZR1000, which debuted in 1987, has been completely redesigned for 1989. The forward cant of its cylinders has been reduced to 35 degrees from the original 45, while a revised five-valve-per-cylinder head, greater cam duration, 1mm larger carburetors and a higher compression ratio all work together to increase power to a claimed 143 horsepower in European trim. An EXUP powervalve in the exhaust system helps increase the mid-range, and the chassis is shorter, stiffer and generally upgraded to handle the increased power. The rear tire has grown to an enormous, 170/60V17 size, on an equally large, 5.5-inch rim.

The trend is followed by Yamaha’s FZR600, but with more emphasis on obtaining performance at reasonable cost. A new “Genesis” four-valve, liquid-cooled engine with downdraft carburetion replaces the old aircooled motor of the FZ600, and a new twin-beam frame gives it a home. But the frame is steel instead

of aluminum, and the bike doesn’t have the radial tires that might be expected. Those were only two of the trade-offs needed to bring the Yamaha into the U.S. at a very competitive price. But with Yamaha claiming almost 90 horsepower and a dry weight of 390 pounds for the new 600, it may outperform the rest of the middleweights anyway.

The last of Yamaha’s speed trinity is the FJ1200, updated for better handling with a 17-inch front wheel, a larger fairing for more rider protection, and larger front brakes. Most of

these changes were made to the 1988 FJ1200 sold in Canada and Europe; but Yamaha elected not to sell the bike in the U.S. last year, so these revisions are new to us.

These three machines all are additions to Yamaha’s ’89 line; the only subtractions are the FZ750 and the FZR750. The FZ was omitted because there are plenty of 1988 models in dealer hands, and the FZR750 was not imported because the new model, which is similar to the new 1000, was deemed too expensive for the U.S. 0