Yamaha reveals its 2016 off-road stars in Maggiora [PHOTO]

Yamaha – Yamaha Motor Europe presented its YZ 2016 off-road collection on the Maggiora circuit, in the province of Novara, where the Italian Grand Prix will take place this weekend. It was the director of YME MX, Erik Eggens, who introduced the new range of the Three Diapason brand and underlined that the new bikes will adopt several new key elements to extend their performance and increase their prestige. The flagship YZ450F it was equipped with Launch Control and revised especially on the chassis level to keep it competitive, while the YZ250F it is revised in the engine and receives the same updates as its bigger sister.

"We are very happy and proud of what Yamaha can offer through the YZS and its 2016 range“, began Eggens. “For the YZ450F we were looking for quicker acceleration with greater control and a smoother engine character, and I would say we achieved this, also thanks to the new and innovative LCS system and some engine improvements, such as new camshafts with revised timing and the improvement of the clutch and gearbox. We also wanted to improve controllability, traction and front grip, with more effective shock absorption. We also really wanted better braking power and greater stability. Once again, we achieved the intended result with new suspension settings, revised fork offset and changes to the frame design. Finally, the brake disc has been increased to 270 mm"

La Yamaha YZ250F It shares many features with its bigger brother, but there were a couple of new goals to achieve for the 2016 version.”We have improved usability which has been achieved with the new lightened piston, the hi-tech connecting rod, the optimized crankshaft and the new design of the balancing countershaft, the new mapping of the control unit to optimize the extension and the same innovations clutch and gearbox adopted from the YZ450F. The same excellent suspension modifications and large brake disc also improve handling performance, stopping power and control. Overall we feel that the competitiveness of both the YZ250F and YZ450F has taken another step forward and I believe this can also be seen on the track, where our results show how Yamaha is boldly going in the right direction“, concluded the Dutchman.

Pierre Karsmakers, first Yamaha rider to triumph in AMA Supercross, participated in the presentation of the YZ450F and YZ250F Limited Edition 60th Anniversary YZ450F and YZ250F, with celebratory liveries and improved specifications. “It's great to be here in Maggiora and be part of another Yamaha party", he has declared. “It is a brand that recognizes its racing heritage, and this matters a lot for someone like me, an ex-racer but also a motorcycling enthusiast. I have indelible memories of competing with these colors, and now I am excited, and honored, to be here and see this attention to the past”. The liveries will be used by all official Yamaha riders in the MX1 and MX2 Championships in Italy. The spotlight is also on theATV YFM700R and YFZ450R 60th Anniversary, with the classic Yellow/Black graphics.