IN
THE
WIND
P44
SUPPO TO LEAVE REPSOL HONDA
R
epsol Honda team principle Livio Suppo will be leaving
MotoGP to pursue interests "outside of motorcycle rac-
ing."
The Italian has been a fixture of the MotoGP paddock
since 2003, first with Ducati and later with Repsol Honda.
Suppo has overseen six riders' titles (four for Marc Marquez
and two for Casey Stoner).
Suppo joined HRC in 2010, as Communications and Mar-
keting Director. From 2013 he assumed a dual-role as Team
Principal of the Repsol Honda Team and HRC Communica-
tions and Marketing Director. He will not be replaced as team
principle for the immediate future. CN
Livio Suppo's career in MotoGP was been
incredibly fruitful.
YAMAHA CHANGES THE FZ LABEL TO MT
Y
amaha Motor USA is going
to join the rest of the world
in labeling their line of sports
naked bikes "MT," rather than
the U.S.-only label of "FZ."
In a case of "why not just do
this in the first place?" the FZ-
10, FZ-09 and FZ-07 will hence
be known as the MT-10, MT-09
and MT-07 in what Yamaha USA
is calling, "part of Yamaha's
ongoing initiative to strengthen
a passionate, global community
of MT riders sharing the distinc-
tive 'Dark side of Japan' inspira-
tion"—the advertising slogan that
accompanied the first FZ/MT-
09 at the end of 2013.
Aside from the name change,
there's little difference between
your 2017 FZ-09 and FZ-10 to
the 2018 models, but the baby
MT-07 will get a few updates
including new graphics and
headlight, new intake scoops, a
new seat, a more compact tail-
light, new front fender and black
components in the handlebar,
footpeg brackets and shift rod.
The MT-07's forks get re-
vised damping and a heavier
spring, with the rear suspen-
sion getting a new rebound
adjuster along with a heavier
spring. ABS is now standard
fitment on the MT-07, which will
set you back $7599 MSRP.
The rest of Yamaha's MT
range remains exactly as it was
prior to the name change, with
the MT-10 costing $12,999 and
the FZ-09 $8999. CN
A name change and a
few upgrades for the
now MT-07.
