First Looks: 2011 Yamahas?

FIRST LOOKS: 2011 YAMAHAS?

ROUNDUP

TDM1200

IF EVER THERE WERE A YAMAHA WELL AHEAD OF ITS TIME, the TDM850 was it. Back in 1992-93, Yamaha imported the dual-counterbalanced parallel-Twin powered machine, hoping the bike would catch on in popularity in the U.S. like it did in Europe. But American buyers weren’t ready for now-popular long-travel, do-everything bikes like Ducati’s Multi strada, Suzuki’s V-Strom or Triumph’s Tiger. The TDM, now in 900cc form, continues to be produced for Europe and other markets. With Yamaha’s release of its XT1200Z Super Ténéré adventure bike in Europe, it is only logical that the TDM would get the larger, 1200cc parallel-Twin, as well. Here is what we think the TDM 1200 will look like; we expect that the bike will be unveiled at this fall’s EICMA show. No word if Yamaha plans to give the U.S. market a second try with the TDM, but it seems that buyer interest has finally caught up with the do-everything concept.

Blake Conner

FJR1300

With plenty of competition, Yamaha’s popular FJR1300 needs a facelift and updates to go head-to-head with Kawasaki’s Concours 14, BMW’s R1200RT and K1300GT, and Honda’s rumored ST 1300 replacement. We don’t know too many details, but this illustration represents what we think the 2011 FJR1300 will look like, with MotoGP styleexhausts and cleaner, crisper styling.

Blake Conner

TRIUMPH TIGER 825

Scaling one’s big D-P-looking streetbike down to a smaller size and lower price point is all the rage lately, a thing rumors floating in from across The Pond say could happen with the Triumph Tiger, currently available in 1050cc size. Triumph’s sales have been on a roll, relatively speaking, its 675cc bikes included. A little boring and stroking of the 74 x 52.3mm 675 Triple could theoretically take displacement to around 825cc, according to our source, which should be plenty of power to send a svelter Tiger hurtling round the hedgerows. It could appear at the EICMA this November in Milan, says the rumor mill. —John Burns