Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

So far, fortunately, we have maintained the trend, and we'll try to continue it. " Part of the strategy involves Yamaha's line of raceinspired sportbikes. The retro bumblebee paint jobs are a hit with race fans and customers alike, and the limitededition YZR-RI LE sold out qUickly. Yamaha is introducing more new models this year than any other in their history. Included in that is the spin-off of their cruiser line of Star Motorcycles. The Asian market is by far Yamaha's strongest, except for Japan, which is stagnant to declining. The numberone market is China, with 12 million units in projected sales, mostly in the I 00-12Scc category and mostly built in Chinese factories. India is second with 6 million units, also home-built. Then comes Indonesia, with an increase from 4 to S million units over the course of the past year. Thailand and Vietnam are next. "The Asian market is booming," Kajikawa said. "Very good for us. We are gaining shares. In relation to the total market increase, we are gaining share. So a double effect." Yamaha has several factories in China. They have factories in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. And building continues. Kajikawa said they hadn't seen any effect in the United States from the recent spike in gas prices due to the hurricanes, but it could come. "Yesterday we saw so many scooters on the street," he said of Manhattan. More to his heart is racing. In Motegi, Yamaha engineers said they hadn't decided on an engine layout for the 2007 season, when capacity is reduced to 800cc. They also said they wouldn't begin development of the bike until next year. When the four-stroke MotoGP format was first announced, around the time of the millennium, Kajikawa heard all the rumors. "Our engineers said in the beginning, 'Honda builds a V-five,' and the rumors said maybe they come with Vsix," he said. "I ask them 'Will inline-four be enough?' They said yes. I believe them." It wasn't, at the start, partly because it 900cc, well short of the 990cc limit. That error was soon rectified. The move to 800cc is expected to do little to lap times and will make the MotoGP bikes much harder to ride. Kajikawa isn't sure about the displacement. "800cc, there are many opinions," he said. "Is it 750 or 1000? But maybe 1000cc is producing too much horsepower for the moment." He added that 7S0cc had a relationship to current models. "800cc is a bit strange." Whether Rossi will ride an 800 is a matter of continuing debate. His future could be in four wheels. He has a contract for 2007, and none of his current competitors have made a serious case that they'll challenge him next year. Meaning Yamaha could easily win three championships in a row. Yamaha's strength in America, both in sales and racing, is also on the upswing. Though they continue to shy away from Superbikes, Yamaha could win the three support classes. Eric Bostrom, Jamie Hacking and Jason DiSalvo will face off against Aaron Yates, and the Suzuki support teams, in Superstock. In Formula Xtreme, Bostrom and DiSalvo are the only factory riders in for the long haul. American Honda's Jake Zemke and Miguel Duhamel will race the Daytona 200 and, possibly, Laguna Seca, if FX is on the schedule. Otherwise, the Yamaha team will be racing the satellite teams of Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki. And Jamie Hacking will be healthy as he tries to dethrone Kawasaki's two-time Supersport champion Tommy Hayden. Overall, not a bad 50th, and a promising 51 st. CN Off msrp ~.~J.n:J~~~~ Beaverton HONDA-YAMAHA-SUZUKI 10380 sw cascade Blvd, TIgard, OR (Across Hwy 217 from Wash. Sq.) 1-800-929-1044 Questions call 684-6600 parts@bhy.net Info@bhy.net Straightforward approach for racers, dads, tuners and engineers SUBJECTS COVERED FOR DIRT AND STREET -.ana • 8uIpel.-on "-y end • 8pIlne u-y 1Ild...... ~ TMory end Innln'''an VI.1t r.t:.t.t:h.t:om or t:./1 961.279.6666 CYCLE NEWS • OCTOBER 19, 2005 43

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