Yamaha @ EICMA 2016: Radical T7 concept shown off alongside XSR900 Abarth special.
Mighty Japanese powerhouse brand Yamaha showed off a bevy of its 2017 models here in Milan, but it was its MT-07-based concept and new café racer that stole the show. Here’s what went down for Yamaha @ EICMA 2016.
T7 Concept
Yamaha previewed what the next generation XT660 Ténéré model through the radical Yamaha T7 concept. The design mixes both futuristic and rugged styling elements, combined with the familiar silhouette of the XT660 Ténéré. Even in this early concept form, it already looks ready to take on the Dakar easily.
Underneath, the T7 Concept uses the same CP2 270-degree parallel-twin powertrain from the MT-07 model, now wrapped up in an all-new chassis design. Everything check out right including the Kayaba high-spec and high-travel suzzies plus the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels.
Other notable highlights include the aluminium fuel tank assembly, carbon fibre fairings and skid plate, a custom Akrapovič exhaust kit, and the quad-projector LED headlight unit. All there are signs of serious intent despite Yamaha’s modest but quick claims of this being a mere concept.
Expected to arrive sometime in 2018, the eventual production version of the Yamaha T7 concept will continue the brand’s 33-year line of producing Dakar-inspired middleweight desert conquerors.
XSR900 Abarth
Next up to debut was the special XSR900 Abarth. Yamaha has had a long-standing relationship with Italian performance brand Abarth, and the fruit of this joint effort bowing in the latter’s home ground is more or less fitting.
Based off the MT-09-based XSR900 retro roadster, the Abarth edition takes on a proper café racer approach and stance. Notable traits of this can be seen in the front cowling, clip-on handlebars, pillion seat cover and front fender – much of which made using carbon fibre too.
The XSR900 base bike’s 847cc triple-cylinder heart gets sweetened with an Akrapovič exhaust system as well. Capping things off here is a special grey and red livery scheme that’s signature to Abarth.
Just 695 units will be made, and all sold exclusively to Yamaha’s European customers. The first 95 buyers who register online, on the other hand, will benefit with a VIP Abarth experience added in their purchase as well.
Gallery: New MT-09 and YZF-R6
Beyond those two came a sleuth of other new-for-2017 models on display. We’ll start with one model that we know will hit our shores soon enough, and that is the face-lifted MT-09 triple-cylinder streetfighter.
Suffice to say, the new MT-10 inspired looks does look exquisite in the flesh, especially when paired with the new grey colour scheme as seen here. Click here to find out what’s changed in the updated 2017 Yamaha MT-09 naked from our INTERMOT 2016 launch report.
Next up came one of the most highly anticipated models of the year, the new Yamaha YZF-R6 supersport. Yes, this is merely the old YZF-R6 that heavily updated and dressed in new clothes, and we can’t help from crying foul with its new exhaust silencer design either.
Nevertheless, its debut is a significant move as it marks Yamaha’s serious intent at continuing its pursuits in the 600cc supersport segment. In other words, this should be a wake up call for rivals Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki to respond in the years to come. (Click here to read our launch report of the new R6)
Also on display was the new R6’s race-ready World Supersport (WSSP) race machine that backs up Yamaha’s serious intent in this segment. It was shown alongside a race-prepped version of its smaller YZF-R3 (YZF-R25) sibling that will compete in the new Supersport 300 class next year.
Yamaha @ EICMA 2016
