With 1,199cc under the hoood, the XT1200Z Super Ténéré is aiming its sights on the class-leading BMW R1200GS and new-comer Ducati Multistrada 1200. The powerplant features a parallel twin motor with four valves per cylinder, and makes 108hp @ 7,250 RPM and 84lbs•ft @ 6,000 RPM. Read more about the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré after the jump.

For a wiz-bang factor, the Super Ténéré features a bevy of techno-goodies like ride-by-wire throttle control, three-mode linked & ABS brakes, dual-riding modes (street and touring), and Yamaha’s traction control system (YCC-T). Ensuring that the fun doesn’t stop is the bike’s 6.07 gallon gas tank, which should make all the die-hard adventure/touring folks very happy. However, the bike’s 575lb wet weight is likely to turn a few upside down frowns the wrong way around.

As was done on the YZF-R1, Yamaha seems to be taking the lessons learned on the MotoGP race track, and is applying their cross-plane crankshaft design (if you can call it that on a two cylinder motor) to the Super Ténéré. The 270° crank allows the Super Ténéré to deliver its power pulses in a manner that allows for better traction between the tire and road, which has a huge benefit in off-road situations.

No price has been announced yet, but expect it to undercut the KTM, BMW, and Ducati’s of the world…and for real bad news, the Super Ténéré has not been confirmed for the US market.

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For more discussion on the XT1200z Super Ténéré

The top of the line Brembo parts being offered through this partnership include monobloc and CNC caliper kits for front brakes, a rear CNC caliper kit, the innovative 19RCS radial master cylinder and the HPK full-floating disc kit.

“Advanced research and development procedures together with experience accumulated through years of intensive research on the road and track has allowed Brembo to create application-specific products,” Roberto Pellegrini, Brembo Performance – High Performance Motorbike Sales Manager, said in a release. “We at Brembo are very pleased to begin this relationship and extend the availability of our product range to the Yamaha enthusiasts.”

Brembo, headquartered in Italy with plants in 14 countries, supplies brake systems to many prestigious brands of passenger cars and motorcycles worldwide. Brembo is the owner of Brembo, Breco, Marchesini and Sabelt brands and operates through the AP Racing brand.

Our relationship with Brembo has been outstanding,” added Bret Snider, Yamaha USA Product Planning Department Manager – Parts & Accessories Division. “Adding Brembo product to our catalog creates another great opportunity for Yamaha owners to one-stop-shop at Yamaha Dealerships for all their accessory needs.”

Yamaha updated both the YZF-R6 and the YZF-R1 models for 2010. The new Yamaha YZF-R6 comes with a starting MSRP of $10,490, and will be available in Raven Black (slightly changed), Pearl White and Team Yamaha Blue/White. The new YZF-R1 is available at a starting MSRP of $13,290, in Raven Black, Pearl White and Team Yamaha Blue/White.

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Yamaha will eliminate 200 positions in the United States and Europe this year in addition to 800 layoffs by the end of October announced earlier this month. Yamaha will also shut two plants overseas this year and five in Japan by 2012.

Although the company is considered the second largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, Yamaha suffered a net loss of $2.4 billion dollars.

“The company is expanding the scope of three structural reforms, reorganizing the manufacturing layout, the workforce and reducing costs beyond the level envisioned in the previous announcement,” Yamaha said referring to the cost-cutting moves.

Through these moves it is hoped the company will return to profit, with sales likely rising 8.4 percent to $13.9 billion, returning Yamaha to an operating profit. The company expects global motorcycle sales will rise 12 percent to 6.55 million units and sales in Asia excluding Japan will increase 14 percent to 5.69 million units.

The motorcycle market in other parts of the world are another matter with sales in North America alone expected to fall 39 percent to 56,000 units. “Demand in Europe and the United States is not expected to recover for some time,” noted the Yamaha officials. “Thus, sales conditions surrounding the Yamaha Motor Group are expected to remain harsh.”

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Rossi was sent home to rest and is taking antibiotics, GPOne.com reported. Appendicitis usually involves the removal of the appendix to avoid further complications. If the appendix remains inflamed, it commonly leads to peritonitis, which can be fatal.

To clear up everything, GPOne.com called Dr. Cladio Costa Friday at the Clinica Mobile where Rossi was admitted. Dr. Costa told GPOne.com: “I can confirm the news which as emerged so far. The results of the tests show that the situation does not require surgery. Valentino can recuperate with just some medication, and everything should be fine.

“It’s possible that infection can take place in that part of the intestine, which can result in inflammation. The problem now is that such cases can recur, even if they’ve been successfully treated.”
But if Rossi has an operation? “Rossi asked me how long it would take before he could ride again if he decided to have an operation,” Dr. Costa told GPOne.com. “I answered that it would be just a couple of days.”

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GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:

The unique, Factory Racing prepared Valentino Rossi replica YZF-R1 winner is:

•  Justina Vilimaite from Vilnius, Lithuania

The one-off, Factory Racing prepared Ben Spies replica YZF-R1 winner is:

•  Milada Simkova from Cary, Slovakia

The exclusive, Factory Racing prepared Cal Crutchlow replica YZF-R6 winner is:

•  Claude Guyot from Aigle, Switzerland

Congratulations to all the winners, they will be contacted by Yamaha within a week.

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Rossi, in case you don’t follow Italian motorcycle racing, is… an Italian motorcycle racer. The design’s pretty slick, and succeeds at making this one of the few designer edition notebooks I’ve seen that actually could have some unisex appeal.

Unfortunately there are pretty much no details on the specs. The notebook does look like a dressed-up version of the Packard Bell Dot M/U, which in turn is a rebranded version of the Acer Aspire 1410. So I’m guessing you get an Intel CULV processor, GMA 4500MHD graphics, and a reasonable amount of memory and hard drive space as well as a 11.6″ display. But that’s just a guess.

In November, Yamaha Canada announced that they were withdrawing from the National tour, both in terms of series support and rider/team involvement.  Previously, the six major manufacturers directly involved in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship contributed equally to the series structure, including support of the television broadcast package.

At the meeting, the following items were specified for the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship:

1. No 2010, new model OE Yamahas will be allowed to participate in any of the series classes;

2. The 1000cc Yamaha YZF-R1 model, in all years of production, will not be allowed to compete in the Pro Superbike class.  No such restrictions will apply to existing 600cc YZF-R6 models.

“Our biggest concern is the privateer or club level racer with existing Yamaha equipment,” confirmed Colin Fraser of the series organizers, Professional Motorsports Productions.  “The vast majority of Yamaha riders utilize 600s, and we agreed that it was in everyone’s best interests to allow these existing machines to continue to compete.”

Organizers added that they plan, and look forward to, reinstating Yamaha in the Feature category when the manufacturer is able to return to participate in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship Series.

Teen-aged sensation Jodi Christie earned the 2008 Armour Bodies Amateur 600 Sport Bike National Championship aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6.  Linnley Clarke and Pascal Picotte took Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike crowns aboard Yamaha 600cc production bikes.

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The biggest-selling bike in November was the Yamaha YBR 125, with 156 registrations. Yamaha was the biggest-selling manufacturer with 1,027 new registrations, followed by Honda (678) and Piaggio (372).

“Although the economic climate continues to present challenges to the motorcycle industry, the industry is responding with determination and perseverance,” said MCI chief executive Steve Kenward in a release.

“The Carole Nash International Motorcycle Show, which ended two days ago, showcased new models and the latest products to over 110,000 visitors. The Get On experience unit made its debut at the NEC as part of the industry-funded campaign to bring biking to new audiences by giving potential riders the opportunity to have a free ride in their local area. Around 80 per cent of those who try their free ride are going forward to take their CBT,” Kenward added.

“The MCI is working hard to encourage new people to recognise the benefits of individual mobility that a powered two-wheeler affords, and to persuade the Government that motorcycles and scooters are part of the solution to the transportation, congestion and environmental issues that face the country.”

“However, these are tough economic times and we continue to lobby Government to create a level playing field across the entire automotive sector on the issue of the Scrappage scheme and other business incentives. MCI calls on Ministers, particularly the Innovation and Skills Minister, Lord Mandelson, to engage positively with industry,” concluded Kenward.

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While most of the concept bikes at the show were little more than mock-ups designed to offer stylists a free hand, Yamaha’s HV-X – or Hybrid Vehicle (eXperimental) – is a real engineering prototype that’s virtually certain to spawn a production derivative in the near future. The most technically-advanced hybrid motorcycle yet seen, it’s already been undergoing thorough testing for more than two years and despite its innovation, it’s would be possible to produce immediately, with current technology, if it’s given the green light by Yamaha’s bosses. The result, in Yamaha’s own words, is “an eco-friendly two-wheeled hybrid with all the responsive acceleration and cornering fun of a conventional motorcycle.”

Strangely tucked away in a corner of Yamaha’s stand, and omitted from most of the firm’s Tokyo show publicity, the HV-X is a petrol-electric hybrid based on the same technology as the world’s most successful hybrid car, the Toyota Prius. Being partially owned by Toyota, and regularly used to develop Toyota’s car engines and drivetrains, Yamaha is in the perfect position to transpose the technology onto two wheels. Unfettered by the need to work around Toyota’s patents, the firm has miniaturised the entire concept of the Prius hybrid power source and the clever transmission that allows the drive from the petrol and electric motors to be combined in any ratio, from entirely battery-powered to completely petrol-fuelled, or, for maximum performance, to use the full power of both at the same time.

The specifications – a 15bhp 250cc single-cylinder engine and a 15bhp electric motor – might not make your blood run hot, but there’s little limit to the potential; Yamaha’s own Gen-Ryu hybrid concept bike of 2007 was designed around the same technology, and combined a 130bhp R6 engine with a 50bhp electric motor for 1000cc superbike power levels. The HV-X shows that concept was viable and has real production potential.

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