All of this is so typical of Yamaha. They have a very good bike, one that
lots of folks are lining up to buy, money in hand (see letters to the
editor in newest Cycle World, e.g.). So what does Yamaha do about it?
They decide to arbitrarily hold off introduction of an in-production bike
until the competition can also enter the market with two very attractive
alternatives.
I've wanted to buy the TRX850.......finally gave up a few years ago and
bought the Duc 900 instead. I really want the SZR660, Yamaha won't bring
it in, so I guess I may have to buy their motor in the MuZ frame, since
that's what's available.
If low-budget and low-volume manufacturers like Ducati and MuZ can afford
to get a bike Federalized, and afford to sell it through an almost
non-existent dealer network, Yamaha's complaint that it's not cost
effective is silly.
OK.....so where do I put my money down for the new Kawasaki??????
Phil
P.S. I already tried to get money down on the FJR.
On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, Andy Perry wrote:
> There are indications that Yamaha will be bringing the FJR1300 to the States
> next year. The bike debuted in Europe this year, and our readers, and many
> others here in the U.S., feel it would be highly successful in the States as
> well.
>
> Kawasaki is also rumored to be releasing a 1200cc sport tourer next year,
> with its engine based on a bored and stroked version of the ZX-11 unit
> (possibly, with the same dimensions as the new ZRX1200R).
>
> Finally, as we have reported earlier, Honda is expected to release a
> successor to its ST1100 in the relatively near future, possibly next model
> year. It should be quite a year for big bore sport tourers.
