TDM / FJR900

[FJinMN]

Found the following via a comment at MotorcycleDaily.com

Concept only, but food for thought...

http://motorcyclesky.blogspot.ca/2013/07/three-cylinder-yamaha-tdm-concept-by-luca-bar.html

[Sport-Touring]

[zrx4me]

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2014/03/03/manufacturers/yamaha/yamaha-files-trademark-application-fj-09/

[mugwump58]

Needs a belt.

[Silverbird]

That FJ-09 WOULD be my next bike. no question

5 gallon tank MINIMUM Yamaha! You listnening????

[Tpoppa]

...and suspension/handling at least as good, but hopefully better than a VFR800.

[motrhead]

...wishing for the TDM/Super Ten version myself, hopefully without a neutered engine. The existing Super Ten is just too much of a behemoth.

[Grainbelt]

I'd be all over it.

Their FZ-09 pricing has be believing they could make a VFR fighter at or below ten grand.

[GRN]

I'd be all over it.

Their FZ-09 pricing has be believing they could make a VFR fighter at or below ten grand.

They could, but nobody would buy what they would offer for that price. Plastic, pans, ABS/TCS, beefier rear subframe and extra cooling needed to compensate for lost air flow will push it past that, go up from there if they add a shaft and electric screen and CC.

It does seem they are positioning themselves to take a run at BMW, more so than any of the other Japs anyway.

[Silverbird]

If this happens and Yamaha gets it right (no reason to think they won't) Honda shouldn't even bother making the VFR800 anymore 'cause nobody is gonna give a crap about it.

[Volfy]

As much hype as there is about the VFR800 re-introduction, I'm not sure there is much of a market for a $12-13k 782cc sport tourer that weighs more than a litre bike equivalent.

I doubt Yamaha will make the same mistake.  My guess is FJ-09 will be priced right around 10k, probably undercut FZ1's MSRP, like the FZ-09 did to the FZ8.  One of the Yamaha's publicly stated goals for going with the triple is to reduce parts count and mfg cost, in order to reduce MSRP.  I doubt Yami will position the FJ-09 as a "premium" middleweight ST like Honda is doing with the '14 VFR800.

[Grainbelt]

Plastic, pans, ABS/TCS, beefier rear subframe and extra cooling needed to compensate for lost air flow will push it past that, go up from there if they add a shaft and electric screen and CC.

ABS and the fairing/rear subframe, sure.

I doubt they'll add all the other goodies, that is the FJR1300's territory. Particularly shaft drive, I don't see that happening.

[FJRider]

From a marketing perspective Yamaha would be smart to leverage the development costs of the FZ-09 and create smaller class of bikes they already sell. FJR09, R09, Tenere' 09.

[Cobalt]

From a marketing perspective Yamaha would be smart to leverage the development costs of the FZ-09 and create smaller class of bikes they already sell. FJR09, R09, Tenere' 09.

There's a lot to be said for the cache that certain of the names carry. And a platform will *always* save money over one-offs in manufacturing.

[FJRider]

There's a lot to be said for the cache that certain of the names carry. And a platform will *always* save money over one-offs in manufacturing.

Yup, platforms save a lot of money in manufacturing. The supply chain is simpler, You have fewer vendors. You can buy in bigger quantities to get better pricing and terms. I wouldn't be surprised if the vendors stock the Yamaha factories on consignment and have a net 90 day payment term after the component has been kanban pulled from vendor managed consignment inventory. Yamaha must be very smart with its supply chain in order to manufacture and sell, at a profit, a FZ-09 for less than $7300 to the dealers. Especially given the high burden (labor costs, fixed asset costs, high energy costs, etc.) in Japan.

[Kneescrubber]

...and suspension/handling at least as good, but hopefully better than a VFR800.

That wouldn't be hard to do. Seriously.

[Silverbird]

As much hype as there is about the VFR800 re-introduction, I'm not sure there is much of a market for a $12-13k 782cc sport tourer that weighs more than a litre bike equivalent.

I doubt Yamaha will make the same mistake.  My guess is FJ-09 will be priced right around 10k, probably undercut FZ1's MSRP, like the FZ-09 did to the FZ8.  One of the Yamaha's publicly stated goals for going with the triple is to reduce parts count and mfg cost, in order to reduce MSRP.  I doubt Yami will position the FJ-09 as a "premium" middleweight ST like Honda is doing with the '14 VFR800.

That would be a shame because if they budget it out like they did the FZ-09 it's going to have some serious deal-breakers for some people

[Roadscum]

That would be a shame because if they budget it out like they did the FZ-09 it's going to have some serious deal-breakers for some people

All bikes are designed to a price point to attract a specific segment of the market.... and so as not to cannibalize sales of other bikes. It's a difficult balancing act but the successful manufactures have mastered it....... Or they won't be in business long. sSometimes we forget that America is not the major market for Japanese or European motorcycle manufactures.

Bottom line..... In Yamaha we trust!

Paul

[Cobalt]

That wouldn't be hard to do. Seriously.

+1

The VFR is a fine bike, but like most bikes you can buy, it's less than awesome in the suspension department, as built stock. Fortunately, it's easily and cheaply upgradeable.

[Cobalt]

All bikes are designed to a price point to attract a specific segment of the market.... and so as not to cannibalize sales of other bikes. It's a difficult balancing act but the successful manufactures have mastered it....... Or they won't be in business long. sSometimes we forget that America is not the major market for Japanese or European motorcycle manufactures.

Bottom line..... In Yamaha we trust!

Paul

In that regard, the pricing on the new RS400 UJM baffles me. $6000 for what is, essentially, the exact same bike as Suzuki's TU250X, with 150cc bump and absolutely nothing else to set it apart. IMO, on an early 70s bike, $1500 does NOT reflect a 150cc bump on a bike in that class.

[HipGnosis]

That would be a shame because if they budget it out like they did the FZ-09 it's going to have some serious deal-breakers for some people

+ 1  Sport-tourers are more serious about their bikes than naked riders - because they demand more from the bikes.
I wouldn't mind if they 'budget it out' ONLY IF they make a good catalog of options.
One thing H-D understands that the others could learn; even riders of a given genre', want to 'personalize' their bike to make it theirs.

[Roadscum]

In that regard, the pricing on the new RS400 UJM baffles me. $6000 for what is, essentially, the exact same bike as Suzuki's TU250X, with 150cc bump and absolutely nothing else to set it apart. IMO, on an early 70s bike, $1500 does NOT reflect a 150cc bump on a bike in that class. F the

I to am baffled by the price RS400.

Paul

[Grainbelt]

meh. The SR400 has authenticity on its side. Much better hipster cred. Subjectively, it is far more attractive visually than the odd looking jellybean TU. Having owned a couple of suzukis, I'd pay a grand just for the (hopefully) better quality of paint, fasteners, etc on the Yamaha. That's been my experience, anyway.

As for the FJ-09, I thought about it some more and decided it that if the market demanded tourers, the F800GT, VFR800, and Ninja1000R would be selling like crazy.

I haven't seen more than a couple on the road, so I suspect Yamaha will keep this bike pretty minimal and lean.

[Akumu]

As much hype as there is about the VFR800 re-introduction...

Hype? Both VFR forums have numerous posts with members basically doing this   or   and asking "Who's going to buy it?  "

Not sure that I see any hype... And yes, they're crazy to charge that much. Because they're Honda and they overcharge for everything on their showroom floor, from the 250cc single to the Goldwing/Valk/F6B...because they're Honda. (And I don't say that in an endearing way.)

[Silverbird]

There were all kinds of people that said they'd buy a VFR800, then they saw the price tag. A revised VFR1000 is what they needed but that would have driven the price over 15K and it would have sold poorly like the 1200.  Why do they insist on charging so much?  I know their quality is top notch, but they continue to price themselves right out of the market.

[Grainbelt]

I don't think the VFR is priced too high for a single side swingarm, convoluted-valvetrain v-four with some touring amenities.

The engine configuration drives parts repetition, weight, and expense. You have to really want a V-4 for it to make sense.

[crispiegee1]

Whether Yamaha builds an FJ-09 or a mini-Tenere - I'd be happy for either, but would love the Tenere - it will be important for there to be a price difference between those bikes and their bigger brothers. (Though I laugh when people list a dozen features they want and conclude with "...all for a price of less than $9000." Oh okay. You're going to add $3k worth of equipment for a thousand bucks, huh? Keep dreaming.)

I would much prefer it start at a lower price and forgo an electric windshield and a lot of other useless crap. Competent suspension is a must, because suspension is expensive to modify later, but Sachs and Showa are capable of good suspension at a reasonable price. Like others have said, if Yamaha comes out with a mid-sized bike for nearly the price of a large bike, it will find few buyers.

A mini Tenere or mini FJR starting at around $11k would be a bargain, though, and the lighter weight alone would appeal to me. A competent sport tourer weighing in at 450 pounds wet? Yes please! A competent adventure bike weighing in at 465 pounds? Yes please!

[FantasticJapaneseRocket]

I hope they do more than just slap some FJR bags on a FZ09 and call it a FJ900.

That's all that prototype looks like.

Needs a larger fuel tank at LEAST!

[Scottyfizz]

If you all were Mama Yamaha.What would you realistically do with an FJR 900 that wouldn't cut into the FJR1300 sales?

I for one wouldn't need all the fancy electronic doodads. Not even sure a full fairing would be needed either.I'm really hoping Yamaha does something like a Kawy Ninja 1000 with their sidebags.And that leads to my next question.

Is Yamaha going to kill off the 4 cylinder FZ1?My local dealer still has a 2012 FZ1 on the floor gathering dust.

My wife has pretty much said she is done riding with me so I do not need a full sized sport/tourer.

Idea's?

[sharkey]

This was in my inbox.  If you are in Austin, go check it out for us and oh, bring a camera.  The ad mentioned heading to the FZ9 area so it has something to do with the triple motor.  

[/URL][/img]

[kyzrex]

Size of tank is relative....you don't need a 5+ gallon tank IF you get good gas mileage.  4.5 gal with an mpg of 50+ will give you over a 200 mile range easily.  How much longer does it need to be?  My FZ6 does this with no problem, even with full Givi bags and running through the mountains of NC and Tenn.  

[FJRider]

This was in my inbox.  If you are in Austin, go check it out for us and oh, bring a camera.  The ad mentioned heading to the FZ9 area so it has something to do with the triple motor.  

[/URL][/img]

I think it may be an FZ-07.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/11/yamaha-introduces-mt-07-lightweight-affordable-689cc-twin/