[Willy Mo]

The new 400 that has been popping up in Europe (06 model) looks more like the Majesty. From what I've read, they changed the engine design to a DOHC. I wonder when this will come state-side. I further wonder if it will loose one disc up front when it does. The European Majesty has two discs up front as well. Why do they only send one disc state-side? I guess they figure we don't ride as fast...can't explain that one.

http://www.motorbox.com/Moto/Magazine/S ... tml?mmc=49

It's a beautiful bike though. A very nice upgrade from the 03-06 400's. I wonder if they will begin to upgrade the 650's? :wink:

 

[Blexcroid]

It's a beautiful bike though. A very nice upgrade from the 03-06 400's. I wonder if they will begin to upgrade the 650's? :wink:

Yamaha may not sell a Majesty 650 because they already have the V-Star 650. Yamaha likely does not realise that there is such a growing market for the larger "automatic" bikes. (IMHO)

 

[CajunBass]

I have never ridden but one bike that had a "manual" transmission and that was a Suzuki 250 something or other that I had at my MSF. I hated that thing. Had it had a CVT transmission it would have been ok.

I'm old and lazy. I do not like to shift gears anymore. It reminds me of work.

I'm like that kid in the (I think it is) Yamaha commercial telling that kick starting DI. "But Mister. I just wanna ride."

 

[texascycle]

It looks better for sure, but I still think the back end looks like a Spanish Galleon ...

 

[Rubble]

It's a beautiful bike though. A very nice upgrade from the 03-06 400's. I wonder if they will begin to upgrade the 650's? :wink:

Yamaha may not sell a Majesty 650 because they already have the V-Star 650. Yamaha likely does not realise that there is such a growing market for the larger "automatic" bikes. (IMHO)

What about Suzuki and thier other 650's?

V-Strom 650
SV 650 (2 models)
Bandit 650
Boulevard S40 (formerly designated Maurader 650)
DR650

I wouldn't be too quick to discount the wisdom of any the manufacturers marketing. Although they may not always (very often?) bring to these shores what we want to see, I'm sure for the corporate strategies in which they are working, they are right on target. Let's not forget that not every manufacturer wants to compete in every segment of the motorcycle market.

 

[texascycle]

As much as I love the Yamaha brand, I have always been frustrated with their marketing decisions ... Suzuki has a much broader selection of motorcycles to choose from while Yamaha tends to limit the choices severely (unless you like Star) but offers up a great bike for that limited choice. I mean look at the DP bikes ... Yamaha has the awesome XTZ660X in Europe but has not had any DP bikes in the US for years now. They could easily offer up several different DP bikes that were on the production line, but they just chose not to send them to the US. Take a look at the Yamaha Europe site and you will see how many cool bikes we never get to ride! Sad, I say