Yamaha YZF-R Motorcycles in Kalamazoo, page #34

Moto blog

The Emperor’s New Clothes — Josh Hayes’ Style for 2013

Three-time and defending AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion, Josh Hayes (above right), and 2012 AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Rookie of the Year, Josh Herrin, are ready to debut new livery on their Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 next week in Daytona. Joining them are 2012 AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike race winner, Cameron Beaubier, and 2012 AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport race winner, Garrett Gerloff, on their Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Daytona SportBike YZF-R6s. The four riders and their machines recently completed a photo session at Yamaha’s U.S.

Brammo Electric Motorcycles Eligible to Race Against Gas-Powered Bikes in AFM

Electric Brammo motorcycles will share the grid with gas-powered motorcycles in American Federation of Motorcyclists competitions. The AFM, America’s oldest motorcycle road racing body, announced Brammo riders can compete head-to-head for championships against those riding internal combustion engine motorcycles. The Brammo Empulse R, Empulse TTX and Empulse RR will be eligible for competition.

2013 AMA Supercross St. Louis Race Report

Ryan Villopoto captured his series-leading fourth win of the season in a red-flagged main event before a record crowd of 60,178 at St. Louis’ Edwards Jones Dome, as the 2013 AMA Supercross season reaches its midway point. The race started with MotoConcepts Suzuki rider Mike Alessi taking the holeshot with Muscle Milk Honda‘s Justin Barcia and Yoshimura Suzuki‘s James Stewart on his tail.

New: Venhill 888 fast-action twistgrips

CONTROL specialist Venhill has launched its new 888 range of bike-specific fast action twistgrips.  Supplied complete with the company's top of the range Featherlight cables, the kits are designed for a straightforward replacement of the factory-fitted equipment.  Bike-specific kits are now available for the Honda CBR600F, Kawasaki ZX-6R/ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R600/750, Triumph 675 Daytona and Yamaha R1/R6, among others, with prices from £105. Here's Venhill's description of the new product: "Manufactured with a robust CNC machined alloy body, the 888 fast action twistgrip provides a choice of two settings and is supplied with two rotors so that riders can select the throttle action that best suits the riding conditions.  Settings can be changed swiftly by undoing the two set screws securing the throttle body and changing the rotor. On the fastest setting there is 80° of rotation, (taking up 36mm of the cable), which is typically 45% faster than 'standard' throttles.

India Raises Import Duty on Motorcycles to 75%

The government of India has laid out its budget for 2013-2014, increasing the import duty for large motorcycles. The news will impact several major manufacturers hoping to gain a stake in the world’s second largest motorcycle market. India has become the hotspot for manufacturers but one of the biggest obstacles they face is the duty India levies on luxury goods.

Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Induction Class

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame announced it will induct five new members for 2013. The Hall also announced it will add one new member to its Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame. For 2013, the Hall will welcome to its ranks motorcycle attorney Russ Brown, custom chopper builder Rick Fairless (pictured above), Harley-Davidson dealer Bill Gikling, actor Marjoe Gortner of the television special “Sturgis: The Great Ride”, and antique motorcycle expert Lonnie Isam, Sr.

Yamaha Teases New Star Cruiser to be Unveiled at Daytona Bike Week – Video

Yamaha will reveal a new Star cruiser on March 9 during Daytona Bike Week. To promote the upcoming launch, Yamaha released a teaser video revealing a few fleeting glimpses of the new model along with the tag line “less is more”. The video reveals some details such as dual rear shocks, a solo seat and a new single exhaust design.

FIM Updates Superbike Racing Homologation Lists for 2013

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has released an updated list of motorcycles homologated for the 2013 Superbike, Supersport, and Superstock racing season. Notable additions include the new BMW S1000RR HP4, the MV Agusta F3 and the Superbike-spec Ducati 1199 Panigale R. To qualify a production-based racebike for FIM homologations, manufacturers have to meet certain production thresholds.

Yamaha Becomes First Official OEM Partner of AIMExpo

Just in time for this weekend’s DealerExpo in Indianapolis, the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) announced today that Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA will use the event to introduce its 2014 products to the marketplace. Yamaha is the first official OEM partner of AIMExpo, a landmark step in the continued growth of the event, which is hoping to be a viable rival to DealerExpo as a powersports industry destination. Yamaha’s range of powersports products comprises both the Yamaha and Star motorcycle brands.

Yamaha Reports 2012 Results

Yamaha reported a 5.4% decrease in net sales for 2012 and a 72.2% decrease in profit but the Japanese manufacturer says it is poised for a dramatic recovery as it begins its “New Medium-Term Management Plan” for 2013-2015. Coinciding with the start of its new business plan, Yamaha is adopting a new brand slogan: “Revs your Heart“. The company reported net sales totaling 1,207.7 billion yen (US$13 billion) for the 12 months ended Dec.