Yamaha FZ-09

[Vortex Punchtop]

http://www.cyclenews.com/433/21782/R...The-FZ-09.aspx

Crossplane triple with an msrp of $7990! I finally sold my R6 and have been scouring craigslist for something new, and now I'm wondering if can go without a bike till October when this comes out. I'd like to ride one back to back with a Street Triple.

[DaveZX6r]

I think I'm in love.

[Karate.Snoopy]

http://www.cyclenews.com/433/21782/R...The-FZ-09.aspx

Crossplane triple with an msrp of $7990! I finally sold my R6 and have been scouring craigslist for something new, and now I'm wondering if can go without a bike till October when this comes out. I'd like to ride one back to back with a Street Triple.

it is also considerably lighter than the current FZ8 and FZ1. Nice looking bike. That is a lot of tech for 8k

[ctbandit]

http://www.cyclenews.com/433/21782/R...The-FZ-09.aspx

Crossplane triple with an msrp of $7990! I finally sold my R6 and have been scouring craigslist for something new, and now I'm wondering if can go without a bike till October when this comes out. I'd like to ride one back to back with a Street Triple.

You're not going to like the suspension and brakes if you compare to a striple.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

A triple can't be a crossplane.

[rsw81]

I'm with SVRACER01. By definition, a triple can't be a crossplane. They're using the term as marketing hype, basically telling the consumer they are too stupid to know the difference. I say F-you Yamaha.

Having said that, I'm sure they bike will be pretty sweet and a decent competitor to the Street Triple (R), Monster, StreetFighter 848, etc. But let's call a spade a spade. I hate marketing hype crap designed specifically to mislead the consumer.

End Rant

Rob

[SRTie4k]

Having been in love with the naked styling since I first saw the Z1000, I gotta say I am not impressed with this ones styling in the least. It just doesn't look like I picture the perfect naked muscle bike to look like.

[DaveZX6r]

I guess I should have been more specific. I'm in love with the specs. 411 wet weight? That's awesome. Most of those style bikes are anchors.

I deffinately think the fz8 and the triples are better looking

[01xj]

30 more HP and it would be perfect.

[Vortex Punchtop]

I actually haven't seen Yamaha specifically refer to this engine as a crossplane engine but they may have. They are using phrases like "crossplane inspired" or something similar. I think the point is they wont be using the conventional 120 degree crank layout that most (all?) triples use. Whether or not that is better I don't know but at least it's something new. I bet they will sound pretty wild.

[aprilb]

It's a nice looking bike and love how it's much lighter than the FZ1. The BF has an FZ1 and looked over my shoulder when I read the article. He seemed interested in checking it out more.

[SwiftTone]

I think the weak point may be the suspension. No compression adjustment???

The styling isn't too bad but I think it can be more aggressive. The FZ8 looks better IMO. Also on these types of bikes I prefer the single even dual round headlights. Feels more hooligan.

[nhbubba]

I think the weak point may be the suspension. No compression adjustment???

This is a sub $8k motorcycle. Yes, suspension will be a little basic.


Although I finally found the part of the spec sheet I don't like: 3.7 gal fuel capacity. Bah!

This article suggests there may be other models with this mill in the future: http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/...f-the-iceberg/

Maybe an ADV-ish something-or-other. Maybe something somewhat sport-tour-ery.

All things being equal, I'd rather hand my money to Yamaha than Triumph. Still not ready to trust a euro brand.

This looks interesting: http://luweh.com/2014-yamaha-mt-dm-8...pt/untitled-3/

[GearHd6]

All things being equal, I'd rather hand my money to Yamaha than Triumph. Still not ready to trust a euro brand.

30k on one Triumph and the other with 20k and zero problems with either. You can read bad experiences about everything on the market. Just depends on what you have your mind set on and what you have stuck in your mind.

[jwm2k3]

This is the 1st step in making their 1000cc R1 into a triple. They feel the inline 4 is too wide.

[nhbubba]

30k on one Triumph and the other with 20k and zero problems with either. You can read bad experiences about everything on the market. Just depends on what you have your mind set on and what you have stuck in your mind.

And, ironically, my "bulletproof" Suzuki sits, out of commission for a 2nd weekend in a row with just shy of 27k miles.

The cool thing about prejudice is that it doesn't have to be rational.

[SVRACER01]

This is the 1st step in making their 1000cc R1 into a triple. They feel the inline 4 is too wide.

wont happen. unless of course they get permission from AMA/WSBK to run OVER 1000cc engines. a 1000cc triple wont make as much HP as a I4, not to mention yamaha wouldnt intentionally give up its top 2 spots on the the AMA superbike podium

[Kurlon]

Looking at WSBK - http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/al...510004_eng.pdf

Superbike is noted as 4 stroke; 2, 3 or 4 cylinders in section 1.9.1

Section 2.4.2 covers handicapping '1200cc 2 cylinder' motorcycles only.

Section 2.4.3 says 750cc to 1000cc 3 and 4 cylinders are Superbike, 850cc to 1200cc for 2 cylinders.

Bah, so nothing in the current rules to give a triple any wiggle room. In theory they could adopt a similar handicapping system for triples but it's not in place yet.

Looking at the AMA - http://amaproracing.cdn.racersites.c...3-Rulebook.pdf

They have rules established for one off bike allowances at their discretion. Section 3.1.f mentions this.

Interesting, they're more harsh on engine side covers. You must use them if available. If none are available on the market, your first time through tech you get placed on the 'tech trouble log' and will not pass tech next time through unless you've found some. 3.6.i for those curious.

Section 4.2 cover engine configs eligible for American Superbike, only 4 cylinder and 2 cylinder motors are noted. Sportbike and Supersport note 3 cylinders when defining minimum weights, no displacements are listed for either class.

So yeah, AMA would theoretically be possible with a one off allowance, WSBK is going to require much more wrangling if Yamaha goes for more than 1000cc.

[SVRACER01]

chances are there are no rules in place in SBK classes because no one makes a superbike triple.

[Kurlon]

Hard to call it a superbike if there isn't a classification for it... chicken and egg syndrome?

MV makes an 800cc triple in a sport package. Benelli used to have 900cc and 1130cc triples in sporty packages too recently IIRC. We should get Erik Buell on this, there will be instant AMA support for it.

[BSR6]

I'm thinking the R1 will remain a four banger for quite some time. They put some resources into developing that motor and therefore they will be seeking a return on their investment. Given how much things have slowed down and how they have adjusted by keeping models out longer (i.e. the current R6) this further supports the notion that the 4 banger 1000 isn't going anywhere.

I'm wondering if the new R6 will be a triple. It would be a good way to apply the "cross plane" technology to their supersport segment.

In regards to the comment about how a triple can't be a cross plane...I thought all triples were cross planes due to the optimal firing order already being where it needs to be for the concept to be applied. This would make sense as to why Yamaha is pursuing triples now that they have discovered the benefits of the firing order.

[jwm2k3]

I saw a engine display of a triple Yamaha had somewhere on the internet....the wording led me to believe they wanted to go with a triple R1.

[duganc1717]

I actually haven't seen Yamaha specifically refer to this engine as a crossplane engine but they may have. They are using phrases like "crossplane inspired" or something similar. I think the point is they wont be using the conventional 120 degree crank layout that most (all?) triples use. Whether or not that is better I don't know but at least it's something new. I bet they will sound pretty wild.

"120 Degrees
Decades after the XS750, Yamaha is back in the Triple game. When the company showed its Project P3 at Cologne in 2012, much was made of “crossplane crankshaft technology.” All this means is that its crankpins are not in a single plane like those of a conventional inline-four. Like any sensible three-cylinder, the FZ-09’s engine has its crankpins evenly spaced at 120 degrees from pin to pin, giving even firing intervals and delivering the musical “triple sound” that everyone likes. This fuel-injected Triple, with a 78.0mm bore and a 59.1mm stroke, stands out from the world of flat-crank (i.e. single-plane) four-cylinder engines that power so many bikes from 600 to 1000cc."

[davemon]

Looks like a great bike at a great price. Sure, it's not adjustable up front and such but it's comparatively inexpensive. I hope it sells as we could use some more options to bring in newer riders and riders who don't have the cash for high end stuff. Think about the cost of one of these 2 years after it's been on the road... And if it sells maybe they make an S or R (or whatever Yamaha does) of it with Ohlins bling! Pretty cool.

[Vortex Punchtop]

"120 Degrees
Decades after the XS750, Yamaha is back in the Triple game. When the company showed its Project P3 at Cologne in 2012, much was made of “crossplane crankshaft technology.” All this means is that its crankpins are not in a single plane like those of a conventional inline-four. Like any sensible three-cylinder, the FZ-09’s engine has its crankpins evenly spaced at 120 degrees from pin to pin, giving even firing intervals and delivering the musical “triple sound” that everyone likes. This fuel-injected Triple, with a 78.0mm bore and a 59.1mm stroke, stands out from the world of flat-crank (i.e. single-plane) four-cylinder engines that power so many bikes from 600 to 1000cc."

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At the time that was posted, the speculation was that it would not be 120*. Dealers should be getting these in the next few weeks. I am also glad they decided to offer it in orange now.