Yamaha North America Archives

Recall

Yamaha YZF-R3 Gets Two Recalls for Its Front Brakes

By Jensen Beeler 03/02/2020 4 Comments

If you own a 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3, then we have two recalls that you may want to look over, as they pertain to the braking system on this fun-sized sport bike.

Both recalls affect roughly 1,500 units, and center around two separate issues concerning the front brakes on the Yamaha R3.

The first recall is for the front brake hose, which may touch the horn lead wire when turning the handlebars from left to right. As a result, this could cause wear to the hose itself, which may cause it to leak brake fluid and thus affect braking ability.

In the second recall, the brake hose holder may come off the front fork bracket due to incorrect bracket hook shape. As a result, this could cause the hose protector cover to touch the front fork tube and cause premature wear to the cover. A worn cover could expose the brake hose to wear, causing it to leak brake fluid and affect braking ability.

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Event

A Race Weekend with the Monster Energy Graves Yamaha MotoAmerica Superbike Team

By Andrew Kohn 08/01/2016 6 Comments

It’s 7am at Utah Motorsports Campus on Day One of a three-day MotoAmerica race weekend. Being my overly punctual self, I’ve shown up at the track too early, but it’s given me a unique opportunity to watch the teams arrive and get set up.

As I walk around the paddock, I can hear the sounds of a race weekend beginning. The quiet tones of the teams waking up and starting their day; eyes still bleary from the long drive to Utah. I could smell coffee brewing and breakfast cooking in some pits, while others were still devoid of activity.

I came around a corner and saw the unmistakable blue awning of the Monster Energy Graves Yamaha Factory Superbike Team. Yamaha invited me to spend a weekend with them to see the inner workings of a professional racing team, and all of the hard work that goes into such an undertaking.

Over the weekend, I’d have opportunities to sit down with Racing Division Manager and AMA Hall of Famer, Keith McCarty, 2015 Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier, four-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes, and Crew Chiefs, Rick Hobbs and Jim Roach.

Since it was still early and the tent flaps were still down, I stood and watched as the paddock awakened.

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Bikes

Is This Our First Glimpse of the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1?

By Jensen Beeler 09/30/2014 16 Comments

Yamaha is teasing some sort of sport bike that will debut at the EICMA show in November, but the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer is being rather terse when it comes to describing it.

A short video with a series of quick cuts is our only clue, though the machine looks to be the new Yamaha YZF-R1, which we have heard rumors of through trademark applications worldwide.

Our theory seems to be supported by the track-going footage, as well as the dual front brake disc setup caught in one of the cuts. Watch the video yourself though, and tell use what you think Yamaha has ready to debut in Milan, Italy.

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Banter

Season’s Greetings from Yamaha North America

By Jensen Beeler 12/14/2009 4 Comments

Someone in the Yamaha North America Marketing Department is clearly bucking for a promotion.

After producing the extremely funny videos of the Yamaha MotoGP squad working at Yamaha HQ, and the in-depth explanation of the Ben Spies’ Method of motorcycle racing, the coming holidays have inspired Yamaha to make a Christmas card.

Seen in the photo is soon-to-be MotoGP racer Ben Spies, Motocross phenom James “Bubba” Stewart, and the Doctor, Valentino Rossi…along with some of the worst holiday sweaters we’ve seen to date.

Wishing us some holiday cheer, we see the trio bringing their holiday knits to some undisclosed cabin in the woods, complete with Rossi’s “Phillip Island kitten” in-tow.

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News

Yamaha Follows Other Japanese Manufacturers in Reported Sales Drops

By Jensen Beeler 05/15/2009 No Comments

Our day wouldn’t complete if we didn’t bring you gloom from all four of the Japanese manufacturers; and yes, even Yamaha wasn’t spared the wraith of the global economic slowdown. Yamaha Motor Corporation is reporting double-digit percentage sales drops in its two-wheeled and four-wheeled retail sales.

Yamaha said its U.S. motorcycle retail sales of 21,000 units is a 30% dip from last year’s numbers. Similarly, its U.S. ATV retail sales fell 26% to 17,000 units. This number is at least better than the ATV industry average of a 33% sales decrease. Overall for its worldwide operations, Yamaha reported a sales decline of 35.5% from the year-ago quarter, and a net loss of $189 million for its first quarter, which ended March 31.

Source: PowerSports Business

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