2007 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Ben Spies Leaving Yamaha At End of 2012 MotoGP Season

MotoGP racer Ben Spies has announced he will not re-sign with Yamaha while hinting at an impending announcement for his plans for the 2013 racing season. Earlier this week, Spies used Twitter (@BenSpies11) to hint at a change for next season. In an email to SuperbikePlanet, Spies confirmed he has decided not to remain with Yamaha for several unspecified reasons.

Yamaha Acquires Stake in KYB’s Motorcycle Suspension Business

KYB is separating its motorcycle suspension business from its other operations, and forming a new company with Yamaha. The two companies will form a joint venture to be known as KYB Motorcycle Suspension Co., Ltd., offering motorcycle suspension components to OEMs including Yamaha. Yamaha will acquire a 33.4% stake in KYB Motorcycle Suspension Co.

Yamaha Files Trademark Application for FJ-09

Yamaha‘s next three-cylinder motorcycle may be a sport-tourer, if a recently-filed trademark application is any indication. The Tuning Fork brand filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the name “FJ-09” as it applies to “Motorcycles, scooters, three-wheeled scooters and structural parts for all the aforesaid goods.” Following Yamaha’s usual naming conventions, the signs indicate the trademark will be for a new sport-touring model using the same Triple as the FZ-09. Yamaha has made it clear it plans to introduce more three-cylinder engines following the FZ-09 (or MT-09, as it is known in Europe.) Previously-filed trademark applications for the YZF-R3 and R3 names raised speculation the next triple would be a sportbike, but as per Yamaha’s usual naming convention, the “3″ in R3 is likelier to refer to the engine displacement rather than the number of cylinders.