TDM900: all models, all colours 2002-2010
Dec 19, 2010
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The Design Cafe is an interactive platform where our planners tell you about the background of motorcycle and scooter development. At the same time you can leave reactions and give us your feedback in polls and questionnaires!
All Articles - Sport Touring
XJ6: The re-birth of the Diversion 600
Nov 05, 2008
Most of us will clearly remember the first XJ600 Diversion series. For many of us it marked the beginning of an era, of riding Yamaha’s inline 4 cylinder motorcycles.
New VMAX: Power and Adrenalin
Jun 17, 2008
“Power, power, power!” That’s what you always hear when our riders step off the VMAX, usually with a grin on their faces. “That punch is so impressive, you know. To have power like that is just not ...
S2: Evolution of the FZ6 series
Aug 02, 2007
The road from Almeria to Sorbas is fantastic. It winds on an on and on into the mountains, each corner a different radius, and the tarmac gives tremendous grip.
New MT-0S Sports Concept Bike
Oct 01, 2006
Following the highly successful launch of the MT-01 torque-sports roadster in 2005, Yamaha have been exploring new possibilities and considering alternative directions for this large capacity V-twin ...
MT-03 - Maximum Agility
Aug 24, 2005
"I have been riding the bike in the mountains and it is great", explains product planning manager Oliver Grill. "We went there often for testing, and each time I was amazed how fast you could go. ...
MT-01 - Development background: Maximum taste instead of maximum horsepower
Aug 21, 2004
"I came to work for Yamaha because they always do things differently" tells our product planning manager for the European market. "In today’s hectic world, for many people it is more and more ...
MT-01 - In production
Aug 01, 2004
And the friends of the Design Café hold their share in making that possible. Your feedback was a strong support. Exclusively for you, read here how the bike impressed the Yamaha family.
MT 03 - Single cylinder show model
Sep 01, 2003
The new MT-03 shows again Yamaha's philosophy of building innovative and characteristic motorcycles. The stunning appearance of the MT-01 at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1999 is not forgotten: ...
Next generation FZ6-Fazer in 2004
Sep 01, 2003
A product planner at Yamaha Motor Europe remembers: "We decided to let the new Fazer really jump up in terms of technical solutions and design. The only way to free the engineers from restrictions ...
FJR1300 - Second generation with ABS and many detail improvements
Sep 01, 2002
"We see the FJR 1300 to be a long life model", says the marketing manager of Yamaha Motor Europe. "We have quite carefully considered the changes for the new model and did listen to our customers, ...
Radical bulldogs - Source of inspiration
Sep 01, 2002
Two great-looking show-machines based on a standard BT1100 Bulldog had their debut at the International motorcycle exhibition in Munich.
MT01 - A new sport concept
Jun 01, 2002
Interview with the designers: Engine beat like a drum
Mastino Napoletano - The ultimate Bulldog
Mar 03, 2002
Mario Inumaru is convinced that bikers are individualists:" Most guys love to personalize their machine. With this version of BT 1100 we wanted to demonstrate, how a much attention we paid to the ...
TDM 900 - The 3rd generation: background story
Feb 01, 2002
When the first TDM was launched in 1992, it was a niche product. Now, 10 years later, TDM has created a category by its own and other makers have been following with similar concepts in the meantime. ...
XJR 1300 - The silent evolution
Nov 01, 2001
Yutaka Kubo likes big bikes and XJR 1300 is a classic big bike to him. This bike has archetype looks, with the massive air-cooled engine and the conventional shape of tank, seat and sidecovers. In ...
BT 1100 Bulldog
Jul 01, 2001
The new Big Twin 1100, nicknamed Bulldog, has European genes. The bike is designed and made in Yamaha's pilot plant on the outskirts of Milan in Italy.
V-max: Category of its own
Mar 01, 2001
V-max is a category of its own. The mighty V4 has made it to motorcycles cult heaven. The men behind this monument on two wheels recall the making of V-max.
Your opinion on FJR 1300
Mar 01, 2001
Our web survey on FJR 1300 got a lot of attention. In the past couple of weeks we got thousands of replies from around the globe. For engineers and product planners your opinion is a very helpful ...
FZS1000 Fazer
Mar 01, 2001
Naoki Segawa, product planner and Yutaka Kubo project leader for Fazer 1000 work in Yamaha Factory in Iwata/Japan. They both give insight in Fazer's development.
FJR 1300
Feb 01, 2001
FJR 1300 has got a lot of attention at shows and in the media. This new generation of Sport Tourer breaks new ground for riders, who like comfort and protection, but still demand a powerful and ...
Big Naked bikes - A new phenomenon?
Nov 22, 2000
"Naked bike” is a phrase that came up a few years ago. It describes a category of machines which are actually just big, conventional motorcycles without fairings or plastic covers. What is so special ...
TDM - A bridge between enduro and street
Sep 01, 2000
TDM850 created it's own category. Hennes Fischer, Ex-product planner and today consultant at Yamaha Motor Europe, recalls insights of TDM development:
FJR - When Heritage meets Future
Sep 01, 2000
The FJ 1100 from 1984 marked the start of Yamaha 4 stroke sportsbikes The new FJR 1300 is the start of a new generation of lightweight sportstouring machines.
