With 26 new models introduced since March 2013, including a half dozen just last week, you might think Yamaha would be talking about “Bold New Graphics” rather that rolling out even more motorcycles and kicking off new concepts. Not even close … although the 2016 60th Anniversary Bumble Bee livery is very cool!
After what director of communications Bob Starr called an “epic” year for Yamaha in terms of product introductions and race victories, there is still more to come. In June the all-new 2-stroke YZ250X was introduced, along with 2016 updates for the 250 and 450F, including 60th Anniversary yellow and black editions. On October 6th, the media saw the V-Star 950/1300 Quick Release system, 2016 YZ450FX, WR450X, 60th Anniversary edition R1/R6 and Super Tenere and new R1S that were recapped in the AIMExpo Media Hub presentation on Thursday morning.
Saving the best for last, Yamaha Racing Manager Keith McCarty stopped by on his way to the Hall of Fame long enough to introduce the DT-07 Concept. “Yamaha’s dirt track history started with Kenny Roberts, and we were quite successful,” says the soon-to-be Hall of Famer (McCarty is being inducted into the Class of 2015 on Saturday night). “Since that time, we haven’t really had an engine configuration that could compete in the class until the FZ-07 came out with its offset twin and crossplane crankshaft… and we all know that dirt track is all about traction and control.”
Coincidentally, Keith rides an FZ-07 and wanted to see elements like the linkage suspension incorporated into the design to make this an evolution of a Roberts-era flat tracker. Given these marching orders, designer Jeff Palhegyi built the bike that Keith wanted. Powered by a 90-horsepower version of the FZ-07 parallel-twin, this proof of concept just needs to be taken to the track!
Courtesy Speedville.com.
