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Yamaha – awards and new models for emerging markets
CRUX Rev
There has already been a steady flow of interesting news coming out of Yamaha so far this year . Following the expected announcement in January that their unit sales in Europe for the nine months to December 31st 2016 were up , February saw the company scoop a global “ iF Design Award ” for the fourth consecutive year for its XSR900 . Yamaha says it developed the XSR900 “ to satisfy customers in developed markets who prefer a more “ traditional ” style of machine . The simple and retro exterior combined with performance through cuttingedge technology provides pride of ownership along with riding enjoyment ”. This award marks the fourth design honour for the XSR900 , after the ” Good Design BEST100 ,” the “ Auto Color Award 2016 Special Prize ,” and the “ JIDA Design Museum Selection Vol . 18 .” The iF design awards have been awarded since 1953 by the international design promotion organisation Industrie Forum Design Hanover ( iF ), Germany . In other news , the company has moved to strengthen its position in less well developed markets with what it describes as the “ stylish and sporty GDR155 scooter ASEAN strategic model aiming to build a new sporty scooter category ” and the ’ CRUX Rev ’, its first “ strategic model ” for Africa , Central America and the Caribbean . The GDR155 aims to “ create in the ASEAN region a sporty scooter category , which will become a stepping stone to the big scooter class ”. Launched in Vietnam as the NVX and in Thailand as the AEROX in
Yamaha ’ s ‘ Yard Built ’ custom bike build programme is underway again already for 2017 – seen here is the all-new SCR950 , reinterpreted by Californian customiser Jeff Palhegyi – a homage to the 1966 YDS3C Big Bear Scrambler that featured a custom exhaust system with heat shields which hark back to the days of do-it-all motorcycles , Renthal handlebars wrapped in Duane Ballard Custom Leather that matches the seat and front fork tool pouch , a shortened swingarm suspended by Fox RC1 Podium 14-inch performance rear shocks , custom sub-frame and side panels , custom vintage off-road style front and rear fenders , chunky Shinko Adventure Trail tires mounted on Californian made Ride Wright 40-spoke aluminium soft lip wheels , custom aluminium headlight bracket and skid plate , steel braided brake lines and a " Faster Sons " custom-logoed aluminium cover for the K & N air cleaner
December 2016 , the GDR155 will subsequently be introduced in Indonesia and other ASEAN markets . Manufactured in plants in Vietnam , Thailand and Indonesia , development of the lightweight 116kg GDR155 targeted upwardly-mobile 25 to 30- year old males “ with the intention of being crowned the " ASEAN Best Sporty Scooter ." The 155cc ‘ Blue Core ’ engine incorporates a Smart Motor Generator – described as a Yamaha first - which combines start-up with power generation functionality to deliver quieter starting while also reducing power generation loss .
The ‘ CRUX Rev ’ features a 4-stroke , air cooled 110cc ‘ Blue Core ’ engine , and is described by Yamaha as a “ nextgeneration basic street model based on thorough local surveys to incorporate design aspects geared to local conditions and needs . Two configurations will be available - a spoke wheel specification with kick start , and a cast wheel specification with electric start ”. Yamaha says the “ African and Central America / Caribbean motorcycle markets total roughly 3.6 million units ( 2016 results / Yamaha Motor survey ). Approximately half of this number are
100 to 150cc motorcycles , which are used as bike taxis . The current CRUX model ( 110cc ) was originally developed for India , and was introduced in Africa and Central America / the Caribbean from the early 2000s . “ It earned popularity in Africa through its use as a bike taxi , and in Central America / the Caribbean for its entrylevel commuter and delivery purposes . With the growth of various financial support systems such as microfinance in recent years , demand for bike taxis and delivery applications is forecast to grow even further , and customers expect the launch of models which fulfil criteria for fuel efficiency , cost and quality / reliability . “ The CRUX Rev has been developed in response to these needs , and is a model with superior cost-performance in addition to great practicality and comfort . Although IYM ( India Yamaha Motor Pvt . Ltd .) will be the main production company , CKD production of the same model is scheduled for Yamaha Motor ' s Nigerian production company , CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Ltd . ( CYMNG ) in 2017 ”.
The iF award-winning XSR900
GDR155
14 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL / MAY 2017