Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival

Title changed. Interview Approved.

Normally, I would refute this as a rumor, even with the strength of the given words, but this is a proper interview with a lot of actual insights into motorcycle production.
I strongly suggest that all our readers read the above interview link anyways, to gain knowledge about the industry, in general. Thanks for sharing this, HR.

Right now, just one person who's in favor of 500cc+ space, is just "considering" it, but he needs support of his team. From my experience, Yamaha considers a lot of stuff. A whole lot. Which is a good thing, because dreams have to be seen before making them true.
But still, its not a news, till they give a specific time frame of launch.

And the funny thing is, despite rumors of R6 and GSX600/750R coming since an year or two around 2010, the first 600 supersports that actually made it was the one least expected back then:- Triumph Daytona 675.
The Next? Again, The three unexpected 600s from Benelli.
And the next: Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R (636 cc).
Talking about expectations.. Time teaches a lot, doesn't it?

Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival in India.

I am of the opinion that it is more than likely to happen.
When a company sets up a CKD assembly facility, the costs sunk into it are usually not recovered from selling just a single model - I keep reading this in a lot of reviews/publications and it sounds logical as well.

When Bajaj (acting on behalf of Kawasaki) set up a CKD line, it brought in the Ninja 250, then the 650, then the ER6N and Z250.
Triumph, Benelli and Ducati set up CKD facilities and brought almost their entire lineup.

Now the R3 is the first CKD product from Yamaha which will have necessitated the creation of a CKD assembly facility - I think it's located in the NCR. Therefore it would seem logical that other products are brought in. This is apparent from the words of Mr. Yasuo Ishihara - "If everybody in our company agrees, then we can introduce such a model very quickly as we have it in other countries. Initially, we can bring it as a CKD."

Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival in India.

If only half the whiny kids on the internet realized this fact, maybe they wouldn't be running about saying how the all new products are overpriced compared to an outdated/long in the tooth model.

By this he probably meant how owners want to skimp on timely manufacturer service after buying the product and then going to roadside mechanics to do jugaad fix to save a bit of $$. I have half a dozen relatives who do this and then blame the manufacturer for screwing things up later.

This is why manufacturers don't want to locally manufacture big bikes yet in India. The component suppliers are like those people that bribe the govt to receive tenders to create or repair tarmac laden roads at minimal cost but they eat all the money and completely screw up the end result of a road that's supposedly built to last but doesn't even last one monsoon.

The FZ6R/XJ6 Diversion is pretty outdated, so what alternative to the 650F is he referring to which is already present in other markets? Unless they're planning to give these old bikes new bodywork like Kawasaki did with the Ninja 650. Or is he referring to the 600-750 segment which would mean the FZ/MT 07s?

Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival in India.

Hmm... I guess you're right. It however depends on their particular unit's capacity, availability of qualified employees and focus on quality.

R15 consistently sold above 1000 units, and sometimes upto 1500 units near its peak time. On that basis, a moderate assumption is that YZF R3 may sell around 400-700 units/ month, which averages to some 20-30 bikes per day.
I haven't heard of much CKD production figures but, I have heard of 10 bikes/ day at the Hyosung's head plant, an year or two ago.

And then, we have to verify which country the product's kit will come from. With some countries, things go way easier e.g. Thailand.

Although, "very quickly" is in reference to existing products abroad. Anyhow, let's be positive. If I was Yamaha, I would probably focus on the recent 3 cylinders (the MTs 09 and 07), the XJ6 Diversion, the FZ/Fazer 600cc, The XT660Z Tenere, and if suitable, the YZF R6. And in this order only.

Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival in India.

Why is yamaha particular about catching up with 'honda'?? There is no mention of kawasaki, who actually ushered in the segment. Am I missing something here? I honestly feel that both yamaha n honda have some catching up to do with kawasaki, isn't it?

Sent from my SM-N750 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival in India.

I think the R3 sales will go down to a steady level once the early adopters get their bikes, however, if one FZ6R can be assembled in the time/effort required for 2 R3s and gives a better margin to Yamaha then why not?

One review specifically mentioned that Yamaha said that importing from Indonesia was giving them the same duty rates as Thailand. I'll dig it up and post here. EDIT: found it -> http://overdrive.in/news/yamaha-laun...-rs-3-25-lakh/

"Very quickly" should be in reference to the fact that they now have an assembly line which can be set up for this. Because the Indian laws were stopping them from bringing in the sub-800 cc bikes all these years (and they were all existing products for years abroad)

Now speculating about impending bike launches, my vote goes to the MT07 and MT09, both of which were imported for R&D sometime back. The FZ6R is too much of weaksauce (~65 hp and ~60 Nm@8500 rpm - basically Yamaha took the already-detuned R6 engine of the FZ6 and then detuned it further)

Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival in India.

Is Tenere 660 too much to ask for?

Re: Yamaha 'considering' a CBR650 rival in India.

Yamaha has recently opened their 3rd production unit in India with integrated 'Vendor Park'. So, maybe they are planning to bring a 500-600cc along with some entrants in the commuter segment. And the dates are not yet confirmed maybe due to the fact that bringing out a performance bike involves a lot of R&D and planning. They need to be fully sure about what they are announcing. Whatever the case, I don't see it(if any) before end 2016 or in 2017. Still this is a welcome news for enthusiasts.

Yamaha may launch Honda CBR650F rival in India?

Source: Yamaha wants to launch Honda CBR650F rival in India

If this has come in the mind of the President YMRD, India, then I am sure that they are looking serious now. As it is I posted before in some thread that Yamaha India is not planning till 2015 as they will be focusing on the Scooters, but now since 2015 is coming to end and they removing 5 bikes from their portfolio, I think its time to get something new from this Japanese Giant.

Posting the Source News:

After launching scooters and mass market motorcycles, Yamaha is showing a great deal of interest in bigger displacement bikes. The Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has shown interest in launching a motorcycle that will compete with the CBR650F in India.


This information was revealed by the president of Yamaha Motor Research & Development India, Yasuo Ishihara, during an interview with Autocarpro.

Re: Yamaha may launch Honda CBR650F rival in India?

Makes sense!!! As the CKD facility is not going to be used for the YZF R3 alone.

Cheers,
Sanjay

Re: Yamaha may launch Honda CBR650F rival in India?


Why?
Isn't one thread enough?

Re: Yamaha may launch Honda CBR650F rival in India?


Thanks i was looking for this thread, couldn't find it

Re: Yamaha may launch Honda CBR650F rival in India?

The FZ6R is very very outdated. Unless they have an updated FZ6R, they will probably do what that other Jap brand has been doing. Undervalue the import bill, escape hefty taxes and then use that benefit as premium and undercut competition by a margin.

Re: Yamaha may launch Honda CBR650F rival in India?

*cough* MT07 *cough*