New For '93: Yamaha
NEW FOR '93: YAMAHA
THE STUNNING, FORKLESS GTS 1000 sport-touring bike (see page 38, this issue) certainly qualifies as Yamaha's big news for the new year, but the company has several other surprises in its `93 lineup. The YZF750SP, the long-rumored replacement for the OW01, has finally reached production, although only 15 of the high-priced bikes will be imported to the U.S. in order to satisfy AMA Superbike homologation standards.
Citing "emission and mar keting reasons," Yamaha spokesmen said that the fully
street-legal version of the YZF-which has different car buretors, a two-post saddle and a significantly lower price tag-would not be coming to the U.S. this year. Both YZF models will be available as streetbikes in Europe and Canada, however.
Built with World Superbike racing in mind, the YZF750SP has an updated Deltabox frame with more radical steer ing geometry than the 01, a heavily braced aluminum swingarm and a completely adjustable 41mm inverted Kayaba fork. Although the basic configuration is un changed, the YZF's Genesis engine has also been revised. The updated 749cc, dohc, 20valve inline-Four now benefits from 39mm Keihin flat-slide carburetors and produces a claimed 125 horsepower at 12,000 rpm.
Like the Suzu ka 8-Hour en durance bike that it resembles, the YZF750SP will have six-piston calipers mated to newly de signed 12.6-inch rotors. Claimed dry weight is 422 pounds. The fully kitted, spares-equipped versions that reach the U.S. will be expen sive, probably around $15,000. ,-.1~,-.
Yamaha also announced the re turn of the 535 Virago, back after a two-year hiatus. According to Yamaha, the mid dleweight cruiser's popularity in Europe prompted its return to the U.S. market. With a larger, 3.9gallon fuel tank and new paint, the `93-model 535 Virago is priced at $3999.
The rest of Yamaha's streetbike lineup is minimally changed for 1993. Both the FZR 1000 and 600 (S8399 and $5299, respectively) receive fresh striping and paint, but are otherwise unaltered, although, due to dealer complaints, the 600 once again sports twin headlamps. Also receiving the paint-and-graphics treatment are the V-Max ($8299), 750 and 1100 Viragos ($4999 and $6599), TDM85O, ($6999), Seca II ($3999), XT600 and XT225 Serow ($4199 and $3099). The Venture Royale (SI 1,449), XT350 ($3499) and wide-tired TW200 ($2649) are completely unchanged. Also unchanged, the FJ1200 (S8999) now comes standard with ABS.
