YAMAHA PRESS INFORMATION

This is the first major model change of the Yamaha YZF-R1 since its release as a 1998 European model that immediately won the hearts of motorcycle fans everywhere. The development concept is that of a "Dynamic Cornering Performer." While maintaining the R1's legendary cornering performance, it aims to answer to call of fans for "a machine that offers even better cornering performance in the high-speed range," and also "a machine that gives even more linear response to throttle work."

Adoption of the first suction piston-fitted fuel injection system ever on a production motorcycle contributes to outstanding engine performance. With a mechanism that employs a free piston to help optimize air intake volume from the low-speed range, it achieves a throttle response that combines the best aspects of a carburetor engine. Power development characteristics in the high-speed range are also improved. Other features include a new-design air cleaner box, a lightweight titanium exhaust pipe and new muffler, twin axis EXUP, iridium plugs and a lightweight earth-element ACM. What's more, the combination of our "air induction" reburn system and 3-way catalytic converter gives clean exhaust that clears "EU2" emissions standards.

The frame is the newly developed "Deltabox III" frame. A roughly 30 percent improvement in rigidity, a roughly 20mm higher engine position and a new right-left asymmetrical rear arm combine with optimization of other dimensions to give the new model even quicker banking action and more linear handling response.

The new 2002 European market model Yamaha Sports "TDM900" is the first full model change of the popular "TDM850" since it was released 11 years ago in 1991 with a model concept of "King of the mountain roads." The new model maintains its basic character as a machine that offers top performance wherever you ride, from winding mountain roads to the cobblestone of city streets, along with an easy riding position and individualistic styling. Mounting a new larger-bore 897cc engine on a lightweight aluminum frame, this model achieves a new level of running performance that will challenge the supersport class bikes on those winding mountain roads.

The new engine adopts new features like lightweight forged aluminum pistons and plated cylinders with their superior heat-dissipation characteristics. In addition, the engine adopts fuel injection, which combines with the first variable intake air duct system on a Yamaha that moderates changes in power development at the time of rapid throttle opening for even more outstanding performance.

The newly designed aluminum diamond type frame makes use of a combination of metal-mold cast aluminum, extruded aluminum and hollow cast aluminum to achieve both an optimum rigidity balance (40 percent increase in torsional rigidity) and light weight (6 kg lighter). What's more, a change in the cylinder angle from 40 to 30 degrees and a shift of the crankshaft 34 mm forward gives a front weight distribution ratio of 49.8 percent (47 percent on existing model). This means a greater feeling of road holding in the front end that enables quicker turns with less banking.

Mounting an air-cooled, fuel injection V-twin 1670cc OHV engine on the first aluminum double cradle frame ever on a production cruiser, this 2002 North American market model represents Yamaha's proposal for a new type of "performance cruiser." Here is a V-twin cruiser build for full enjoyment of riding on the open roads.

The new engine takes as its base the air-cooled, 48-degree V-twin engine of the XV1600 Road Star and adds major improvements. The increased displacement, 40mm diameter down-draft type twin-bore fuel injection, an innovative large-capacity air cleaner with a main and sub-air intake located on the underside of the fuel tank, a large 160mm diameter, 570mm long silencer and more give a dramatic 40 percent boost in power output.

The key to this model's outstanding handling performance is the new aluminum double-cradle frame. Achieving a total weight reduction of over 30 kg compared to the XV1600 Roadstar and adopting a rigid engine mount system for a more direct running feeling, this engine also offers a sense of pulse that only a big V-twin can provide. Other features include a upside-down front fork, the same MOS brake caliper as the YZF-R1 (front), radial tires front and rear (the rear 200/50 ZR 17M/C is the fattest ever on a Yamaha production model) and lightweight cast wheels. Meanwhile, the new-design super thin fuel tank accentuates a flow line that is the focus of this model's new styling.