Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127755
GEAR is known as a utility scooter for commercial uses such as delivery services and newspaper distribution. For the Tokyo show, Yamaha modified the GEAR with special off-road tires, large capacity front and rear carriers, and a SOOW ele<;tric generator that runs off the main fuel tarue Suggested uses for the GEAR include emergency/rescue work, or powering a portable television while camping... A more pra"ctical off-road bike is Yamaha's TT250R Raid, a model nearly identical to the Suzuki DJEBEL 2S0XC. The latest Raid has a small windscreen, twin trip meters (count-up, countdown), a larger fuel tank, and a bigger and brighter head lamp. Other domestic market motorcycles introduced at Tokyo by Yamaha were the YB-l, a rotary valve two-stroke street bike. Don't get too excited; it's just a 50cc nostalgia bike powered by the old Yamaha Mini-Enduro engine. Another nostalgia bike was the new Renaissa, a wirewheel 250cc V-twin in classic sports styling. This is Yamaha's description of the Renaissa: "Taking the popular SRV250 with its nimble ride, low vibration and pleasant pulse sensation as its base, Yamaha has given the front end a lighter appearance, added a single-type double seat and various other components, all beautifully appointed in the Italian Trad image. Special attention was paid during the development to the sound of the V-twin engine. Analysis of natural sounds such as the human heartbeat, wavelengths generated by the brain, and the songs of birds, Yamaha was able to achieve a pleasantly stimulating sound that is closer to the laws of nature. And in normal riding in the city ~ou ':;'ill feel a decisive pulse sensation... Last but not least at Yamaha were the PAS bicycles. These are the electrically assisted pedal bikes that Yamaha first displayed in the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show. Now Honda and Suzuki have their own electrically assisted bicycles, and they displayed prototypes of three new models. The top of the line was the PAS AerospO'ft, a carbon-fiber framed mountain bike with 26-inch wheels and a grip-shift gear changer. Weight is a hefty 61.6 pounds, but remember, the electric motor matches one-for-one the force exerted on the pedals by the rider. Yamaha claims the PAS Aerosport battery would typically last 12.4 miles per charge. A perfect idea for commuters who want the convenience of a bicycle, but don't want to arrive at class or work dripping in sweat. ALL THE REST Harley and the various European makers displayed their wares, but the bikes were the same-old, saqte-old, except for the BMW ll00R Roadster. The roadster featured new boxer-type running gear, but with cafe-racer bodywork. The roadster also featured Akront spoke wheels, where straight spokes insert through the rim lip, with nipples in the wheel hub. Finally, it must be noted that BMW's motorcycle display had the largest crowd (and the only applauding crowd) of any display at the Tokyo Motor Show - car, motorcycle, or otherwise. It was not for the Bavarian twins, but for five dancers (two men, three' women) BMW brought over from France and Germany. The dancers performed half-hour shows to the music of Jethro Tull and others, with a sound system loud enough to shake the fixtures of the Harley-Davidson display across the aisle. To add insult to injury, the BMW dancers were outfitted in black and orange. l~ .~RICA'S SPORTBIKE