Yamaha's Surprise Single

YAMAHA'S SURPRISE SINGLE

YAMAHA WILL REPORTEDly use the Milan Show to display its new player in the European Singles club—the SZR660.

Spied in Italy undergoing shakedown tests, the sport-oriented SZR—with an engine based on that of the XTZ660, a Euro dual-purpose mount—was conceived by Belgarda, Yamaha’s Italian importer.

In street-fighter form, the liquid-cooled powerplant is said to make 50 horsepower, three more than the XTZ. Revised cams and modifications to the ignition and exhaust reportedly boost top-end power.

Oil for the dry-sump powerplant is carried in an aluminum tank mounted low on the left in front of the engine. On the XTZ, engine lubricant is stored in the frame.

The 41mm inverted fork used on the prototype is expected to reach production, as is single-shock rear suspension. A 12.5-inch front disc is fitted too, but mounting points on the left fork leg suggest dual front discs are possible.

An Italian source says the SZR will be built in Italy, where labor and material costs are relatively low. Production capacity there is also low, so SZRs won’t initially be sold worldwide. Should the bike prove popular, expect full-scale production in Japan about one year after the bike’s November introduction. A Yamaha spokesman was not aware of plans to bring the bike to the U.S. -Robert Hough