Canada Gets Race Blu 2013 Yamaha Fazer8

Back in September, Yamaha revealed a special “Race Blu” livery for a the YZF-R1, YZF-R6 and the YZF-R125 for the European market. Yamaha promoted the new color scheme with Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies sporting the colors on their leathers and M1 race bikes at the Misano and Aragon MotoGP rounds.

North American consumers were left out, however, getting a Team Yamaha Blue and White version instead for the R1 and R6 (the R125 isn’t offered here either). Not that there’s anything wrong with the Team Yamaha versions. They do however lack the Race Blu’s darker blue hue and the matching wheels. Yamaha later added a Race Blu option for the XJ6, XJ6 Diversion, FZ8 and Fazer8 for Europe.

Of those models, only the FZ8 is offered in the U.S., but only in black, meaning the Race Blu color is still not offered for the American market. That isn’t the case north of the border.

For 2013, Yamaha Canada is offering the Fazer8 in just the Race Blu color scheme, pictured above at the Toronto Motorcycle Show. Most of the bike is in a graphite color except for the Race Blu wheels, cam covers and striping. Unlike its naked sibling, the FZ8, the Fazer8 is not available in the U.S. Yamaha Canada does offer the FZ8 but like its American version, the Canadian FZ8 is only available in matte grey/matte black.

The Race Blu livery isn’t the only update. The Fazer8 gets the same updated EFI settings, new exhaust and adjustable suspension as the 2013 Yamaha FZ8. We’re not sure how well the Fazer8 is selling in Canada, but Yamaha Canada must be hoping the Race Blu color gives it a boost in sales.

By Dennis Chung