New Yamaha Retro?

[redbirds_imp]

Know what would have been cool? A DT400 inspired SR 400. Or how about an XS650 inspired FZ-07? Two iconic Yamahas.

Makes me bang my head against a wall.

And like Hula said how about an middle weight sport tourer, you know with maintenance free shaft drive based on either the FZ07 or FZ09?

Oh YES!

[Redbird_imp]

The belt drive is interesting though...less maintenance then a chain I think.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Ya know, the thing is that as I mentioned in another thread, there was a time not too long back where no decent entry or mid-level bikes were to be had. These manufacturers are getting it together. This bike is easy to ride, reliable, and available in a variety of "styles" to suit a lot of riders just getting into the sport or returning after an absence.

So it weighs the same as the CB1100, not so bad with the low CG. Plenty of torque. Not too expensive.

Yamaha has the best game in town as far a choices in a mid-level bike. FZ-07 is a superb motorcycle, I got my butt handed to me last weekend at the track by a guy on one. Yep, he probably knew that track better than I did and had poured a lot of dough into the bike (I talked to him about all the mods he'd made) but still, it was impressive. That bike can easily make the same HP as the CB1100 but weighs 150 pounds less, and wears the same rubber as a 600-class sportbike. But cheap! The FZ-07 would be my next purchase if I was going to buy another m/c.

The thing is, way I see it, the CB1100 is really a true "retro" with its particular design features. Uprated, yes, but still a true development of the classic Honda I4, not a lookalike. However, it didn't sell well, too expensive to make. They gotta sell the things to make a living.

The belt drive is interesting though...less maintenance then a chain I think.

A lot less.

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Hmmm...I can see that there will be a certain element of U.S. riders that this will appeal to, but I have to agree with just about everybody else here - just not my cup of tea.
I will have to hand it to Yamaha for thinking out of the box with this one, though, if nothing else...

[the Ferret]

The belt drive is interesting though...less maintenance then a chain I think.

I don't know. a little less maybe. I think my chain has been adjusted 3 times in 21,000 miles. Just took a 1,000 mile trip and it didn't need adjusting or lubricating.

Todays' chains last longer than a belt I believe, about 30K on a chain, (I've gotten more than that on my last couple of chains) and 11-20K on a belt (at least that is what I have heard) and chains don't require special tools to adjust like a belt does.

The big bugaboo about chains is still the mess they make of the rear wheel/hub, but then again the belt on my YPV400 was so bad not only was the wheel black but it totally blackened the (2) air cleaners within 5,000 miles.

My 94 HD Sportster had a belt final drive that was maintenance rfee for 10k but I sold the bike before it needed replacement so I have no idea how many miles it would have gone or what the replacement costs would have been.

Edit I tried to google it but answers were so far all over the map as to be useless. Some guys said their belts snapped at under 10,000 miles and belts cost $350, other guys said their belts went 100,00 miles and cost a lot less. General in the middle consensus seemed to be about 5K-50K miles and cost about $180 for the belt, plus advising to replace both belt pullys with the new belt, labor excluded. Funny all the ones that said their belts lasted a long time mentioned frequent adjustment and maintenance as the reason for their longevity, and a special tool required to check tension. my favorite response was from a guy that said he saw 100+ horsepower Harleys with 100,000 miles on their original belts every day... lol oh really? another guy said he was on his second engine but was still on his original belt..that one cracked me up too.

[LongRanger_imp]

Ugh.

I agree with the reference to a stretched VT500 Ascot.

I don't care for the Ducati "Scrambler" either, but I'd choose it over this Yamaha.

How are these bikes scramblers?

[redbirds_imp]

One disadvantage with belt drive on a scrambler is the chance of a rock getting caught between the rear pulley and belt. I saw this happen on a CanAm Spyder, the belt was nearly severed.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

I'll keep my XSR900 60th.

[Chapomis_imp]

One disadvantage with belt drive on a scrambler is the chance of a rock getting caught between the rear pulley and belt. I saw this happen on a CanAm Spyder, the belt was nearly severed.

I bought an aftermarket guard for my Spyder. Not really sure why it doesn't get built with it, very cheap part.

[lol_imp]

just need a loto win