2005 Yamaha V Star 1100 Silverado on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Yamaha Star Bolt Café Photos from Tokyo Motor Show

We received some positive feedback on our Google+ page when we first wrote about Yamaha‘s Star Bolt Café prototype, so we thought we’d share some new photos Yamaha released from the Tokyo Motor Show. Yamaha has made it clear the Bolt Café is only a reference model to showcase the customization potential of the Bolt. At its heart remains the Bolt’s 942cc V-Twin engine and double-cradle frame.

Rumor Mill: Yamaha To Make R400 and R650

Yamaha is set to put into production two new sporty bikes — the R400 and R650 —  according to “Young Machine” a Japanese motorcycle magazine. If true, this would fill a huge void in the manufacturer’s beginner sportbike bike lineup. It would make sense, considering the success of Suzuki’s SV650 (which later morphed into the Gladius and is now the SFV650), Kawasaki’s Ninja 650 (ER-6 in other markets), and even Honda’s CBR500R.

Magneti Marelli to Supply Electronics System to MotoGP Teams

It’s no secret that promoter Dorna Motorsports has been trying to push a standardized electronics control unit for teams in the MotoGP World Championship. The lack of a top-tier electronics package has been one of the biggest challenges faced by MotoGP’s claiming rule teams, and a spec ECU would narrow the gap between the CRT bikes and the factory prototypes. The manufacturers competing in the series, Honda, Ducati and Yamaha, understandably are resistant to the idea considering the effort they’ve put in to develop their electronics systems.