Thread: Yamaha SZ Concept

Yamaha says the SZ Concept is the big news. It represents the direction in which Yamaha's commuter models will move - and that is the company's next target in its push to gain 10 per cent market share by 2012. Yamaha hasn't launched anything in the SUb-150CC classes in the past two years and this is the year when that changes. The production-ready looks of the motorcycle point to a sportier styling ethos for the commuters with some FZ-S hints in the headlight area. The sporty styling is somewhat at odds with cost-oriented details like the front drum brake. Even at the concept stage there are clear cost cues.



For instance, the tank extensions look good side-on, but front-on, the mountings and the plastic look a bit flimsy. While we're not fully convinced that this is the right move, Yamaha officials assured us that the new commuters will blow the lid off the market at launch, expected around June. Yamaha also showed the YBR, billed as a concept but very similar in design to motorcycles of the same name sold in South America. The YBRs, unfortunately, looked a bit too anachronistic right from the off. Yamaha also launched a limited edition R15 in white during the show. We're guessing that like us, you will be disappointed to note that there was no FZ25 on the show stand.