Viva Valencia! is the name given to the charity motorcycle ride being undertaken by Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf‘s The Cat), Matt Roberts (BBC MotoGP presenter) and Steve Keys (owner of the first Yamaha dealership in the UK) in order to raise money for Riders for Health, the organisation that provides and maintains reliable motorcycles so health workers in remote parts of Africa can reach people with regular health care.

The trio of riders are set to leave from the Ace Cafe, London, on 30^th October and, making them a lot easier to spot, Danny and Steve will be clad in pink Arai helmets and leathers, matching their pink Yamaha R1s, while the Yamaha R1 Jorge Lorenzo rode on his parade lap at the 2010 Isle of Man TT, will be ridden by Matt. The ride (to be filmed by KMBA productions) follows a route taking in the Champagne region, Beaujolais, Montpellier and Barcelona giving them plenty of time to take in local culture.

On arrival in Valencia they will be meeting up with local supporters of Riders for Health and leading them into the circuit forDíade los Campeones, the Spanish version of Day of Champions. It is hoped that the team will gather some exclusive items on route that will be auctioned for Riders for Health at the event.

In addition the Lorenzo R1, featuring a one-off paint scheme and signed by the MotoGP world champion, will be auctioned at the Arai-supported Riders for Health auction taking place at Motorcycle Live on Sunday 20th November.  All three R1s will be on display for the duration of the show on the Arai stand, B320 in Hall 2.

Arai and their UK importer, Phoenix, are long-time supporters of Riders for Health and have also donated a range of Arai items – both new and used by a variety of famous racers – for the auction.  A list of these items will be available to view shortly on www.riders.org or www.whyarai.co.uk

Sports bike fans will be pleased to hear that Yamaha’s Smart Move campaign has been enhanced on XJ6 series and FZ8/Fazer8 models. It’s called Smart Move Plus.

A super low deposit of £99, ZERO per cent finance and a loan period of 48 months means that customers can ride off on an XJ6 for just £125 per month. Put a bigger deposit down (£1310) and the monthly repayments will be under £100. Genius!

So instead of looking for a used machine, trading up to a brand new Yamaha is a great option with Smart Move Plus but you need to be quick as the offer finishes on 12th December 2011.

All Yamaha’s other promotional offers, creating an environment of affordability, will finish on 12th December 2011. This includes Smart Move (finance deals on 600cc plus motorcycles – except VMAX), Take Your Pick (finance or insurance offers on 125cc scooters and motorcycles) and Freedom Insured (insurance benefits on all our mopeds).

For full details are available on www.yamaha-motor.co.uk

For 2011, Yamaha introduces a brand new Special Version of the 50cc Aerox scooter, the SP55. Carrying the number ’55′ – representing the year of Yamaha Motor’s foundation (1955) – the scooter’s sporty, bold red and black bodywork, finished with carbon effect touches, is designed to make an impression. This striking styling also evokes Yamaha’s unparalleled heritage as a manufacturer of superior sports bikes, as well as its historic successes on the racetrack.

‘Make your mark’
The new Aerox SP55′s urban-inspired design conceals a high-output, liquid-cooled 49cc two-stroke
engine, built for sporty acceleration. In addition, powerful 190mm front and rear disc brakes
combine with grippy 13inch tyres to provide quick, assured stopping every time.

A stylish three-tone seat, with carbon-print skin, combines with distinctive red and white graphics
to underline that this is an Aerox with a seriously competitive spirit. While red pinstripes on the
wheels add a distinctive touch of true sporty style, a powerful headlight offers real road presence
during night-time riding.

Since agility and control are all-important characteristics, the Aerox SP55 is also effortless to
ride. Acceleration comes courtesy of the smooth automatic transmission; the lightweight chassis
offers swift handling, ideal for cutting through the traffic or manoeuvring in tight spaces.

Adept at tackling all kinds of surface – from city streets to country roads – race-style suspension
ensures a smooth, comfortable ride: an adjustable rear shock with piggy-back reservoir allows riders to customise the setup to suit their own style.

With the roomy seat offering ample space for a passenger to join the action, a full-face helmet is
easily accommodated in the storage space underneath it. And the scooter’s streetwise, sporty
attitude is expressed in the details: from scalloped air scoops to a special analogue speedo and fuel gauge.

Key features for Aerox SP55:

• Brand new ’55′ graphics combined with sporty black and red styling
• Distinctive red pinstripe details on the wheels
• Striking, race-style colour scheme
• Three-tone dual seat with special carbon-print skin
• Liquid-cooled, two-stroke, 49cc engine offering reliable high performance
• Front and rear disc brakes for powerful, assured stopping
• Lightweight, strong chassis for easy, super-responsive handling
• Telescopic forks and grippy 13inch tyres
• Adjustable rear shock with piggy-back reservoir
• Analogue instrumentation with separate fuel gauge
• Aviation-style filler cap
• Powerful headlight for real road presence
• Underseat storage that accommodates one full-face helmet

The Yamaha Aerox SP55 is available in Yamaha dealerships now with a retail price of £2499
(excluding Government first registration fee and vehicle excise duty) and of course new owners will
enjoy free third party insurance (or subsidised upgrades) – Freedom Insured – for their new
Yamahas*.

For full technical specifications and to locate your nearest Yamaha dealer, please go to:
www.yamaha-motor.co.uk

One of the finest looking sports bike on the market just got set to look even cooler!

With a flexible and powerful 779cc engine delivering instant drive, Yamaha’s FZ8, a performance bike for the real world, already looks cool. Comfortable, light and easy to handle, buyers can now enjoy not only interest free credit (over 2 years) but also a great package of must-have genuine accessories worth £850, absolutely free of charge.

The FZ8 will, for a limited time, come with the following accessories:

• An Akrapovic carbon fibre muffler
• Fly screen
• Radiator guard
• Licence plate holder
• Carbon LED flashers
• FZ8 Tank pad

Customers can find more details on Yamaha’s web site www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/offers

Yamaha began with a clean sheet and a clear vision for the Super Ténéré – the intelligent adventure travel bike. They started with a big, powerful engine – with an inline 2-cylinder layout to keep the bike compact and narrow – and a 270-degree crank for superb throttle feel.

They kept the mass low and central for light, agile handling from walking pace on a rocky trail to attack velocity in the twisties and built it tough, with spoked rims and inbuilt engine protection for flat dirt trails. It’s comfortable and practical for long-haul touring and loaded with the latest rider assist technology to help riders tackle any terrain.

Shaft drive inline 2-cylinder engine – 270-degree crank
Tear up tarmac and move mountains of sand with 1199cc of effortless, 270-degree inline 2-cylinder grunt. Big, flexible torque meets 110PS of quick-revving power in a big-bore engine that’s mounted low in the frame for sharper handling.

Mass kept low and central for agile handling
A low and central centre of mass was one of Yamaha’s key design goals. You’ll notice the effects straight away – the superb balance and agility you feel at slow speeds and on loose surfaces, and the light, quick steering as you flick the bike effortlessly through switchback corners on mountain roads.

Intelligent Unified Brake System + ABS
The smart ABS system predicts when the wheels are about to slide, and smoothly intervenes. And the Unified Brake System lets you choose between braking both wheels with just the front lever, or controlling each wheel by touching the rear brake pedal first. Together they deliver exceptional control in a wide range of riding conditions.

YCC-T with 3-stage traction control
Choose how you want to ride, and get on the gas with confidence. The Super Ténéré features advanced Yamaha Chip-Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) technology with 3-stage traction control that can be turned off when it’s time for a little rear-wheel steering in the dirt. The bike also has switchable Yamaha D-MODE engine mapping.

Tough spoked, tubeless aluminium rims
For reliable performance over the toughest off-road obstacles, the Super Ténéré runs spoked, tubeless aluminium rims. The narrow front rim features two Double T-type rails at the rim end of the spokes, letting the spokes cross over further to help generate the rigidity you need for agile on-road handling.
visual
Adjustable front and rear suspension
Set the bike up for any situation – the Super Ténéré’s upside-down forks are fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. You can adjust the rear monoshock for preload and rebound damping without getting any tools out, making it easy to prepare the bike for passengers or heavy luggage.

Adjustable seat height
Adjust the seat height between 835-860 mm to suit your height and riding position preferences.

After nearly 50,000 kms riding his Yamaha Tenere Z 660 XT, on his Circumnavigation of Africa, Spencer Conway is near to completing his epic venture. He is due to arrive back in the UK in the quiet village of  Biddenden, in Kent,  on Sunday the 15 th of August.

On his travels, which have been accomplished solo and unsupported, he has experienced highly dangerous and life-threatening incidents. Shot at in Kenya, robbed in Angola and avoiding logging trucks intent on forcing him off the road in Ghana, he has survived, and is about to return to his family and friends in his home village.

His bike has taken him across four deserts where, in the Sahara, he felt the full force of sandstorms in 45 degrees and, conversely, struggled through tropical thunderstorms that turned the murram roads into quagmires. He had to contend with animals, both wild and domestic, suddenly running across his tracks and also had to avoid potholes as big as craters that forced quick evasive action.

Conway camped wherever he could, sometimes deep in the bush and at other times in campsites where he was able to have a shower and a short respite on his travels. He survived on food gathered from the roadside, sometimes on snakes and other edible creatures and, of course, on the staple food of Africa, mealie pap and gravy. Over the nine months journey Conway has lost nearly 12 kls in weight.

He saw the face of Africa, both good and bad, met some amazing people, received support and help in times of difficulty and managed to deal with red tape and petty officialdom that caused some extensive delays on his trip.

The Tenere proved to be his friend and companion and without this machine living up to its reputation he would never have completed the circumnavigation. After countless punctures, several changes of tyres to suit different terrains, a snapped chain and adjustments to shocks and repairs to broken lights and clutch the bike has proved its worth.

He is now in Morocco and will head home through Spain and France in the next two weeks. TV and Press will be in Biddenden on the 15^th to record his arrival. It is expected that bikers will be there to welcome him home and to congratulate him on his amazing feat. Representatives from ‘Save the Children’ will also attend as Conway has acted as Ambassador for the Charity, visiting projects in several African countries. He has raised nearly £28,000 for medical supplies and orphanages in Sudan, Angola and Burkina Faso.

Visit www.africa-bike-adventure.com for further information.

The line-up of Yamaha scooters is now boosted with the addition of the updated version of the 2010 Aerox ‘Team Replica’. This 50cc scooter, the most desirable scooter on the market for young race fans, is a very ‘Special Edition’ celebrating Yamaha MotoGP racing success, most particularly Valentino’s World Championship, with striking graphics making this model the one to be seen on. 

Retailing at £2,399 plus tax and first registration fee, this model also qualifies for FREE third party, fire and theft insurance (subject to status of course) under the company’s ‘Freedom Insured’ promotion until the 7thJune.

All Yamaha mopeds come with a year’s manufacturer’s unlimited mileage warranty and RAC cover giving customers’ peace of mind. And of course, these machines are amazingly frugal on fuel so are cheap to run too.  

For more information on the models covered within Freedom Insured, please click on our ‘Latest Offers’ link on our home page, www.yamaha-motor.co.uk

Sorry for any confusion.

This was a post relating to the accessories now available for the Yamaha Super Tenere, but as no-one has seen a living example and one can only buy one by paying Yamaha £14,500 to order from a photo I can’t really see much call for all these accessories.

If and when Yamaha dealers are able to stock a real one rather than a cardboard cut-out I’ll post the press release in full.
Until then you can look at the photo on the left and image what it would look like, sound like, smell like and ride like.

Or join my conspiracy theory: Did men actually walk on the Moon? Does the Super Tenere exist?

At the end of April, Yamaha’s rugged super commuter BW’s 125 arrives at Yamaha dealerships nationwide.

New for 2010, the BW’s 125 is agile and responsive, powered by a 125cc, 4-stroke, fuel injected air-cooled engine, giving the rider the power and punch necessary to negotiate the trickiest of traffic and in these days of crazy fuel prices, the Electronic Fuel Injection reduces emissions and also makes the engine incredibly efficient, so it’s easier on your pocket, too.

Big, wide, all-terrain style 12inch tyres ensure the feel of the road is maintained, whether it’s a cobbled street or a loose surface. Great levels of balance, grip and rider comfort mean the machine can easily handle any commute with ease, and make it fun too. As a major plus, the off-road grade, dual rear shock absorbers smoothes any potholes the rural or city roads serve up.

Extra design touches include an artfully designed instrument panel, which gives you vital machine information at a glance, and ample underseat storage for a full-face helmet.

Designed to be shared, the BW’s 125 features a comfortable pillion seat for two-up riding. The power of the 125cc engine, easy handling, short wheelbase and grippy tyres mean that even with a passenger on the back, your journey will be smooth and simple.

And on top of this, Yamaha’s renowned engineering know-how keeps maintenance down to a minimum. You can trust the BW’s 125 to take you anywhere you want to go – always looking good, and always on time.

The BW’s 125 is available in Avalanche White and Midnight Black and attracts a retail price of £2499 plus first registration fee (£55) and Vehicle Excise Duty (£15).

This is the first photo, apart from the teaser shots that Yamaha have been leaking.

No other information has been given but it’s looking like an 800cc version of the 2009 FZ1. We’ll just have wait and see!

An expert panel of judges headed by Marc Potter, the Editor of motorcycling’s weekly newspaper Motor Cycle News (MCN), announced the winner of the coveted MCN Bike of the Year award, the Yamaha YZF-R1.

‘It’s a no-brainer’ said one judge; ‘You simply couldn’t give the award to any other bike’ said another. The praise was without qualification and the decision unanimous. Yamaha took a massive gamble when it launched 2009 R1 – altering the character of superbikes, abandoning the headline-grabbing horsepower war and asking riders to relearn how to get the best from their bike. But it worked.

The crossplane-cranked R1 was a real risk but a genuine innovation, and one that’s been rewarded with championship wins the world over. In finding a way to innovate in a class that had become conservative as it approached the limits of conventional performance, Yamaha has set a powerful example to other manufacturers – and inspired bike buyers to believe there’s life (lots of it) in the superbike class again’’. 

In addition to the top honour, the Yamaha superbike also scooped the award for Best Sportsbike over 601cc and to top it all the economical and competitively priced Yamaha Vity was voted Best Scooter by the MCN judges.
 
Yamaha’s Managing Director Andrew Smith said ‘‘The MCN awards are the real benchmark for our industry and we are delighted to scope the ‘Major‘ prize. They top a fantastic year for Yamaha with us achieving number one in the market, one British and no less that 5 World Championships in 2009. With a comprehensive range of scooter’s and motorcycles available to customers moving into 2010, we feel that we are in a very strong position to capitalise on these fantastic achievements and make a visit to a Yamaha Dealer a must!.’’ “

(Via .)

Since its launch in 2005, the X-MAX has been a huge success, with many satisfied riders throughout Europe. Its sporty, fashionable design – inspired by Yamaha’s flagship scooter model, the TMAX – large storage capacity and easy handling have been key to its popularity. Now Yamaha introduces the new X-max models for 2010: the 250cc X-MAX 250 and the 125cc X- MAX 125.

An updated sports-inspired design includes several all-new features: a rigid frame for sports-style riding increased storage capacity, and a new dashboard design.

Completed by Yamaha’s expertise in reliable and fuel efficient 4-stroke engine design, both models are perfect for savvy city riding.

NEW: Dynamic sports styling
A new design approach enhances the distinctive sports character of X-max. Completely redesigned bodywork offers a sharper, more dynamic presence. Recalling Yamaha’s groundbreaking TMAX scooter design, the one-piece construction of the front cowling, with a fixed instrument panel, brings a striking aesthetic to the new X-max.

NEW: High levels of rider comfort
Increased rider comfort comes in the shape of the new footboard position, for easier and more flexible riding on longer journeys. The single-piece cowling allows for a larger, improved dashboard design. Inspired by the look of luxury sports cars, the dash conveys a greater sense of sophistication. It comes fully equipped with red backlit analogue and digital instruments, which now include a large sports-style rev counter, so important information is available at a glance – day or night.

In poor riding conditions, a sporty windscreen and the wide all-new front cowling provide ample protection from the elements.

NEW: Increased storage capacity for two-up riding
Both the X-MAX 250 and X-MAX 125 offer easy ground access and are designed for comfortable two-up riding without compromising performance. The ample, re-designed double seat is extremely comfortable during long trips: it conceals more than enough storage space to accommodate two full-face helmets. Up front, the enlarged lockable glove compartment around the knee area keeps essential items secure and always close-to-hand.

NEW: A rigid frame for sports-style riding and adjustable rear suspension
The completely new rigid frame offers sports-style riding. Suspended on responsive twin rear shocks – with 4 adjustable positions – and long-travel telescopic forks, the new X-max eats up bumpy roads. Grippy, 15inch front and 14inch rear tyres stay firmly planted on the road. Twin-piston 267mm front and 240mm rear disc brakes provide accurate and reliable braking on busy city streets.

Pulling power: Yamaha engine technology
Delivering a perfect balance of weight and power, Yamaha’s 4-stroke engine offers the torque necessary to pull off from zero and leave the traffic behind. Liquid cooling maximises efficiency and durability by optimising operation. Fuel injection offers great running economy.

The X- MAX 250 is available in Competition White, Midnight Black, Aluminium Slate and Storm Silver.

The X-MAX 125 is available in four colour finishes: Magnetic Blue, Competition White, Aluminium Slate and Midnight Black.

X-MAX Features

* Elegant newly styled design – bodywork with sporty touches
* New rigid frame for secure, sporty handling
* Telescopic forks and twin rear shocks for comfort and suppleness
* Stable ride from 15inch front and 14inch rear wheels
* Twin piston 267mm front and 240mm rear disc brakes
* Reliable liquid cooled fuel-injected 4-stroke engine
* All-weather protection: large windscreen and 1-piece front cowling

* Enlarged, lockable knee-box
* Underseat storage for two helmets
* Luxurious, newly-designed dashboard

For latest technical specifications, please go to www.yamaha-motor-europe.com

“

(Via .)