Yamaha R1DT prototypes

[PaulG]

Just picked up the latest Cycle World and saw an article about the Yamaha R1 Dirt Track Car. Couldn't find it on their website so I googled it and found this. First unveiled back in Sept and just had an invitational race in Cali in Nov.

Maybe RPM will expand again with a line of dirt trackers to complement the Legend cars....?  Unless Yamaha decides to keep it all in-house. Sounds like balls of fun!

Randy if you need to expand and hire new people, I can sweep a shop floor like no other!    Making coffee may require a higher pay grade though.

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Paul
That's just one reason why I've been a fan of the Yamaha motor company thru the years.

Randy would have a good insight on this issue....so, with Yamaha discontinuing production of the air cooled XJR 1250cc engines, what do you see the future Legends and Thunder Roadsters using?

Cheers

[FJ_Hooligan]

I thought I read somewhere that Yamaha signed a long term contract to continue supplying engines for the Legend series for an extended period of time.

[racerrad8]

Here is the key paragraph of the article...

"Yamaha didn't indicate how much it would cost if it was put into production, but dirt-track insiders estimate it might need to be priced in the neighborhood of $25,000. If the project came to fruition, Yamaha would sell the car through select dealerships and provide parts through its dealer network."

These two things mentioned are big issues. The cost number one; 25K is about 10K more expensive than a brand new Legend car and they can't seem to sell them anymore.

The other problem is the support for the series. Who is going to promote the series to the local tracks and support the racers at the track?

I know it will not be the local Yamaha dealer...

The future of the Legends series using XJR1300 engine is still up in the air, I have heard all sorts of stories.

All I can say is I received an email from Yamaha in early 2016 that said the XJR1300 motorcycle and power plant would have the last production availability of October 2016. I might try and throw a couple of engines on my next Yamaha order, but I'm pretty confident they are not going to be available...

If I only knew the what the future held...

Randy - RPM

[PaulG]

If I only knew the what the future held...

Randy - RPM

I've found this lady to be very reliable. Tax deductible too I think.