Yamaha's new moped 2 models, which created a sensation at this spring's motorcycle show, will be on display this summer, with all three models straddling the line. The exhibition is scheduled to take place at the Yamaha booth at the Suzuka 8 Hours and at Motorcycle Day in Akihabara, so if you are interested in riding one of these models, be sure to visit the event.
Straddle the XSR125, which was not even displayed at the Yamaha Riders' Cafe.
Yamaha is introducing a non-scooter model in the moped 2 class up to 125cc displacement, a class that has been energized by Honda's CT125 Hunter Cub and Daks 125. Yamaha plans to release three models at once: the YZF-R125, MT-125, and XSR125, a full course of supersport, streetfighter, and neoclassic models.
As for the launch date in Japan, Yamaha Motor Sales President Matsuoka said at the motorcycle show that it would be before the end of the year, and it looks like that commitment will be kept.
The editorial board had expected the YZF-R125 and MT-125 to go on sale in June, but it appears that they will be released in the fall or winter.
On the other hand, the XSR125 was expected to go on sale in the fall or later, but since this model is also likely to go on sale in the fall or winter, the three models will go on sale at about the same time. Custom parts were also announced for each model at the motorcycle show, so we can expect to see this development as well.
The exhibits at the Suzuka 8 Hours (August 4-6) and Motorcycle Day (August 19) will serve as a reference for foot grounding, as they are believed to be prototypes that are no different from the Japanese specifications that will actually be released. If there are any problems with the footing, the YZF-R125 was also available with lowered links, so it should be possible to take some countermeasures.
The YZF-R125 [YAMAHA] R125 has been on display at the Yamaha Riders Cafe since May. The number of riders who have straddled the bike is being counted on a special Yamaha website, and as of July 20, the number has exceeded 1,000.
XSR125 [YAMAHA] The seat height of the Indonesia-specification XSR155 is 810 mm. The seat height of the Japanese-spec XSR125 has not been announced, but we will be able to confirm this with the vehicle that will be straddled at the Suzuka 8 Hours and Bike Day.
MT-125 [YAMAHA] The European-spec MT-125 has an 810mm seat. The seat height of the Japanese-spec MT-125 has not been announced, but we will be able to confirm it on the vehicle that will be straddled at the Suzuka 8 Hours and Bike Day.
In the second half of 2023, Kawasaki will also launch a moped type 2.
Kawasaki exhibited two EV motorcycles at the JAIA Import Electric Vehicle Promotion Event in Kobe held on July 14-15. One is a full-cowl Ninja type and the other is a naked Z type, both of which are expected to be classified as Class 2 mopeds under the same license category. They are expected to be released within the same year as the Yamaha models.
Yamaha and Kawasaki concentrate on 17-inch front and rear sports bikes, different from Honda, which specializes in 12-inch 4-minis and Cub-type bikes. Among them, Yamaha has a hard-edged 6-speed manual transmission engine model, while Kawasaki has a futuristic AT electric model, which should attract new users to the Class 2 moped category.
EV Motorcycle Ninja Type [KAWASAKI] Kawasaki's electric motorcycle was finally unveiled in Japan. The exterior is based on the current Ninja 250, while the suspension utilizes the old Ninja 250.
EV motorcycle Z type [KAWASAKI] The Z250 has the appearance of the Z250 with a battery and motor mounted on an EV-specific frame. The front and rear suspension seem to be the same as the Ninja type.
