Why Yamaha's good news is bad news for you

[GrahamD]

From our favourite Motor Mag who put in such a great effort spreading the good word on the Tenere [sarcasm off]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2011/November/nov0411-why-yamaha-good-news-is-bad-news-for-you/

Yamaha has released its latest set of financial figures amid fanfare, proclaiming it has 'secured profitability in all business segments'. That's about as close to a whoop as Japanese businesses get..... ::012::

European sales, the spur to development of models you're actually interested in, continued to fall........ (US readers wondering where all their special editions went should reflect they now contribute just 4.2% of Yamaha's earnings from bikes).

With 82% of the firm's motorcycling income (and growing) expected to come from Asia and the BRIC countries when 2011's final figures are in, would it be it any wonder if Yamaha's attention wanders?

At least they are promoting Nicks ride a bit.

Expect a great selection of 125 and 250cc adventure bikes in the future. ::024::

Cheers
Graham

 

[Venture]

I did a project on Harley Davidson a year or so back as part of my MBA program, and saw some interesting data about projected growth of motorcycle sales in various regions. The Americas were expected to grow rather slowly, Europe I think was expected to shrink. All the new growth comes from Asia, as you've stated. The big problem there is that the bikes need to be tiny and cheap. There is still cash to be had in our regions, it's just not explosive growth. I'll have to see if I can dig up some of the research.

 

[Swagger]

I've just been to have a chat with my buddies at the local Yamaha dealership. They're just not able to sell new bikes without massive discounts ... we're talking >25%. Used machines fly out of the door. They have a couple of ex demo 2012 XT's from the press fleet which are going for $8K with <2k miles on them. Europe is being hounded by regulation, legislation and of course the dreaded economic catastrophy that has engulfed the region.

 

[bloke]

i do believe this is yamahas top selling model worldwide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YBR125

 

[Yamaguy55]

The positive that may come from this is a better selection of smaller bikes. When I starting riding in the late sixties, there were all sorts of 50 to 500cc bikes. Beginners these days have little to choose from. I gasp when some misguided fool calls a 600cc sport bike or a 600 pound cruiser "great for beginners :exclaim:" sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
But no matter what we have for projections, someone will fill the void if there is one. Take that new V4 US made sport tourer as an example. The big four moving their attention to other markets will allow some of the start ups to survive and flourish here.

 

[bloke]

Take that new V4 US made sport tourer as an example.

as soon as there is an actual firm MSRP on that Motus people will loose interest ::024::

 

[Yamaguy55]

Maybe. You never know. If people paid what things wereworth, there would be a lot of outfits out of business. The Motus, with the direct injection and other features, may sell to a lot of people that otherwise wouldn't buy a motorcycle.

 

[GrahamD]

Meet your 2015 spec Super Tenere

http://autoplusinbox.com/model-harga-dan-spesifikasi-mesin-sepeda-motor-yamaha-tenere-250-motor-penjelajah-2011-bermesin-fazer-250

;D

Cheers
Graham

 

[Boondocker]

I find it interesting how different the "250 Tenere" is compared the WR250R while still aiming at the "adventure" genre.

I currently have a WR250R and think it's an awesome dual sport. While it's quite decent on the highway for a dual sport, it doesn't have "legs" for touring. My all-purpose super commuter V-Strom 650 doesn't quite have the legs for touring either nor does it take to the dirt without complaint. So the Super Tenere is #1 on my next bike wish list.

I would hope a 250 Tenere would come with ABS, but traction control and power modes on a sub-25 HP motor are superfluous. Maybe they should call it the "Superfluous Tenere" I'm diggin' the tubeless tire spoke rims though, the Honda XL forks, not so much. It's not as sporty as the WR250 R or X models, but that still probably suits a fair sized market segment. Most people don't realize or won't admit how much of their motorcycling needs a 250cc bike can fill. They're the same folks who leave most of the potential of their much higher performance machines under utilized.

 

[elizilla]

Meet your 2015 spec Super Tenere

http://autoplusinbox.com/model-harga-dan-spesifikasi-mesin-sepeda-motor-yamaha-tenere-250-motor-penjelajah-2011-bermesin-fazer-250

That looks like a fun bike! I hope they bring it here, we need more cool 250cc machines!

 

[hANNAbONE]

my new Jesse's will never fit on that..!!

 

[colorider]

my new Jesse's will never fit on that..!!

Nor my Givi Trekkers!!!

 

[Boondocker]

I get it now. It's an update of the XT250. Looks like they lowered the front fender, added a second front brake disk, and <gasp> water cooled it. The styling updates refresh the look.
I think I was mistaken about the wheels being for tubeless tires.