Latest Posts:
Asphalt & Rubber
Tag

Yamaha

Browsing
Bikes

Yamaha YZF-R1 Gearbox Recall Affects All USA Units

By 37 Comments

More trouble looms for Yamaha and its pending recall of the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1, as our sources have indicated that all of the superbikes sold in the USA will be affected by the new R1’s transmission issues.

You may recall that Asphalt & Rubber broke the story two weeks ago about the upcoming recall for the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1, and we explored the topic in-depth on Episode 11 of the Two Enthusiasts Podcast.

Still, we are surprised that a more formal announcement hasn’t emerged from Yamaha Motor USA regarding the matter.

In the meantime, Transport Canada – the importer for Yamaha motorcycles in Canada – issued a recall for 240 units, while some YZF-R1 owners in the USA have begun to receive letters from their local Yamaha dealers concerning the recall procedure.

For 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 owners who haven’t received a recall notice from the dealer, you should expect one, as it’s our understanding that ultimately all of the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1M motorcycles sold in the USA will need to have their transmission replaced.

Keep Reading
By
Podcast

Two Enthusiasts Podcast – Episode 11 – Total Recall

By 5 Comments

Recalls are not the sexiest sounding subject to discuss on the Two Enthusiasts Podcast, but with the looming recall on the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1, the guys tackle this important, and often overlooked, topic with zeal and vigor.

The show is actually more interesting than you would think, as Quentin and Jensen discuss what occurs before, during, and after a major recall like the one with the R1. We would say that this is a must-listen episode, on an unlikely subject.

As always, you can listen to the show via the embedded SoundCloud player, after the jump, or you can find the show on iTunes (please leave a review) or this RSS feed. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well. Cheers!

Keep Reading
By
Racing

Josh Brookes Moves to WSBK with Milwaukee BMW Team

By 4 Comments

The World Superbike championship promises to bring new excitement for 2016. New bikes, and above all, new riders are adding an international flavor and much more interest to the series.

WSBK had already gained a top-flight American rider, with Nicky Hayden joining the Ten Kate Honda team, but now they have a top Australian rider as well.

Today, the Milwaukee team, run by Shaun Muir, announced that they will be making the switch from the BSB championship to World Superbikes, taking reigning BSB champion Josh Brookes along with them.

Keep Reading
By
Podcast

Two Enthusiasts Podcast – Episode 10 – EICMA, Part 2

By 8 Comments

As promised, here is Part 2 of the 2015 EICMA show coverage by the Two Enthusiasts Podcast. Episode 10 covers all the non-Italian motorcycle manufacturers: BMW, KTM, Triumph, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Victory – whereas Episode 9 deals with all the Italian bikes at the show.

This episode has a bevy of new models to cove;, and as usual, the guys do it with their usual pop-culture references and general irreverence to the motorcycling status quo. We think this is a show you will enjoy greatly – just in time for the holiday weekend.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 already, you should do so as well.

Keep Reading
By
Recall

“Stop Sale” Recall Coming for the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1

By 39 Comments

If you are the owner of a 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 or YZF-R1M, your motorcycle might be part of an upcoming “stop sale” recall that affects the bike’s gearbox.

The soon-to-be-announced recall affects only a limited number of units, but centers around the gearbox on some R1’s having components of inadequate strength, which could cause the transmission to seize under extreme shifting, and thus result in a crash.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

Yamaha XSR900 Adds to Yamaha’s Sport-Heritage Range

By 29 Comments

If you’ve ever wondered what the FZ-09 would look like as a café racer, the Yamaha XSR900 is it. Fresh off its EICMA debut, the 2016 Yamaha XSR900 is the Japanese brand’s attempt to build out its “sport-heritage” line. That is to say, it’s Yamaha’s attempt to appeal to the skinny jean and beard crowd.

That’s about all the hate we can muster for the Yamaha XSR900 though – probably because we used it all up earlier on the Yamaha MT-10 – but truthfully, Yamaha’s appeal to the “heritage demographic” feels a lot more genuine than say, a certain Italian brand that also debuted a hipster bike today.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

The Yamaha MT-10 Is Not Your Grandpa’s FZ-1

By 48 Comments

Perhaps a model whose debut is obvious to us now, hindsight always being 20/20, Yamaha has just dropped the 2016 Yamaha MT-10 on us at this year’s EICMA show.

The Yamaha MT-10 helps round out Yamaha’s MT brand, with affordable and edgy models available from 125cc all the way up to now 1,000cc.

Without even riding the Yamaha MT-10 we are fairly certain that this street bike, with its Yamaha YZF-R1 race track DNA, is a hoon to ride with its over-abundance of personality – it would have to, with a face like that.

Keep Reading
By
Podcast

Two Enthusiasts Podcast – Episode 8 – Schwartz

By No Comments

The EICMA show is nearly upon us, so Quentin and Jensen walk us through what bikes are expected to debut in Italy, and what bikes the pair would like to see at the show. It’s a pretty exhaustive overview recording, and thus a little longer than the normal Two Enthusiasts Podcast, but we don’t think you’ll mind.

There’s some good stuff in Episode 8 you won’t want to miss, and it expands on our EICMA show preview story, though pre-dates it. Obviously some news has come out since this show’s recording, but we seem to be pretty good a predicting some things. Take a lesson, and get ready for EICMA starting on Monday.

As always, you can listen to the show via the embedded SoundCloud player, after the jump, or you can find the show on iTunes (please leave a review) or this RSS feed. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well. Cheers!

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

Your Definitive Guide to the 2015 EICMA Show

By 8 Comments

We are already feeling the early effects of the EICMA show in Milan, Italy – easily the most important trade event for the motorcycle industry.

EICMA is where many of the next year’s new models are released, not to mention the show serves as a platform for much of the yearly business that occurs in the motorcycle industry, especially in Europe.

For us in the media, EICMA is a cross between a marathon and Christmas, a plethora of days where articles surge as we see the launching of so many new models. It can be a lot to take in, but it is always exciting to see what the manufacturers have been working on for the past year(s).

To help you keep track of everything, and to help guide your expectations, we have put together this exhaustive list of all the models we expect to see at EICMA. Let the holiday season begin!

Keep Reading
By
Podcast

Two Enthusiasts Podcast – Episode 7 – Jet-Lagged

By 6 Comments

Episode 7 of the Two Enthusiasts Podcast is locked and loaded, with both Jensen and Quentin back from their adventures in California and Texas, respectively.

The guys talk about the on-road differences between the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory ABS and KTM 1290 Super Duke R, catch-up on the new models that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show, and talk about the new water-cooled Triumph Bonneville. We think you will enjoy this episode!

As always, you can listen to the show via the embedded SoundCloud player, after the jump, or you can find the show on iTunes (please leave a review) or this RSS feed. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well. Cheers!

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

A New “MT” from Yamaha, But What Is It?

By 12 Comments

Yamaha is teasing a new model to its MT family (that’s the FZ family, for American readers), but the teaser doesn’t tell us much beyond that a new model is coming. Yamaha’s video says that the new model is a “Ray of Darkness” which continues Yamaha’s “Dark Side of Japan” tagline from previous years for the MT line.

What model Yamaha has up its sleeve is an interesting thought exercise, as the Iwata brand has already debuted a 125cc and 250cc single-cylinder models, a 689cc two-cylinder model, and a 847cc three-cylinder model under the MT name. In the North American markets, the FZ-01 rounds out the FZ family with its 1,000cc four-cylinder engine.

Keep Reading
By