For 2011, Yamaha introduces a brand new Special Version of the Aerox: the Aerox SP55. Carrying the number ‘55’ – representing the year of Yamaha Motor’s foundation (1955) – the scooter’s sporty, bold red and black bodywork, finished with carbon touches, is designed to make an impression on the streets. This striking styling also evokes Yamaha’s unparalleled heritage as a manufacturer of superior sports bikes, as well as its historic successes on the racetrack. Read the full article »

One of Yamaha Tech3 MotoGP team’s trucks was involved in an accident that has killed a motorcyclist. The 54-year old rider died at the La Ciotat toll booth on the A50 highway in France. The motorcyclist stopped behind a big truck waiting in the queue to pay the toll. The driver of the semi-trailer for some reason backed up at the toll booth and hit the biker, trapping him under the truck and dragging him backwards for over 10 meters. The biker died on the spot. Read the full article »

Shaun Muir Racing has confirmed that Ian Hutchinson has finally been forced to admit defeat in his brave battle to be fit for the 2011 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. The Yamaha rider, who won a historic five TT Races in 2010, has not yet fully recovered from the injuries sustained during the first lap of the BSB Supersport Race at Silverstone in September 2010. Hutchinson, 31, from Bingley in Yorkshire suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibia and to date has undergone 16 operations and skin grafts. Read the full article »

Super Wheels took two of the finest power cruisers currently available on the market – the brutal Yamaha V-Max and the new Ducati Diavel, and organized a race between them. The V-Max is powered by a huge, 1700cc V4 delivering 200hp and 167Nm of torque. The Japanese bike weighs 310kg. The Italian Diavel is lighter, but it’s 1200cc high-tech Testastretta engine produces „just” 162hp. Which one is faster on the track? Fastest times: Diavel 10"729 (211,0 km/h), V Max 10"521 ( 213,6 km/h). It was close, but the king is still the king. Read the full article »

Jorge Lorenzo took victory in the wet MotoGP race at the Gran Premio bwin de España after Marco Simoncelli crashed whilst leading. It was a Spanish one-two with Dani Pedrosa claiming second position and Nicky Hayden in third. In a race which was run in wet conditions, making it very slippery, Simoncelli was on his way to his first victory in the premier class with a three second advantage over Lorenzo. Read the full article »

American Motorcyclist Association announced a new title sponsor for the country’s premier riding series for fans of big-bore adventure-touring motorcycles with the 2011 launch of the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Riding Series. Geared toward riders of all brands of adventure-touring motorcycles, the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Riding Series includes more than 20 rides in some of the most scenic riding areas in the country. Read the full article »

Japanese sports industry is now facing hard times after last Friday’s earthquake and tsunami. Reports said that the 9.0-magnitude earthquake caused cracks on the track and also damaged spectator seats at the Motegi circuit (90 miles north of Tokyo), which has led to MotoGP World Championship being rearranged for October. The race was originally scheduled for April 24. The MotoGP season is due to get under way at Losail in Qatar. A domestic road race there next Sunday was also knocked off the circuit's calendar. Read the full article »

Yamaha Factory Racing unveiled its new livery today, a day in advance of testing tomorrow at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The team, which starts the season defending its third consecutive triple crown victory, fields a new rider in 2010 Rookie of the Year Ben Spies alongside the defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. The 2011 YZR-M1 features a Yamaha corporate blue colour scheme incorporating the iconic Yamaha speed block design. Read the full article »

The 2011 Yamaha World Superbike Team has unveiled the livery they will run for the upcoming World Superbike season. The new design features a Yamaha blue corporate racing colour scheme. The livery takes its inspiration from both the famous Yamaha speed block design and also one of the colours of the current production model YZF-R1, giving the bike a modern sleek appearance whilst emphasizing Yamaha’s racing image. Read the full article »

Editors of French motorcycle magazine Motosblog were visiting Yamaha when they spotted something new. The company let them take a photo of the tank emblem. According to the picture, the Japanese manufacturer will reveal soon an upgraded version of its popular naked bike FZ8. They say the exhaust system of the bike comes from Laser. In addition to that, they spotted Öhlins suspension parts but not much else could be seen different. No word on when the FZ8R will make its debut. Read the full article »