HERE'S Yamaha's latest 'Yard Built' concept, an MT-09-based special by Roland Sands which the firm says points to a forthcoming production model.
Earlier this year Yamaha showed us a one-off MT-07 by legendary custom builder Shinya Kimura which heralded the XSR700 - so it makes sense that this time it will be an XSR900, especially since Yamaha has just applied to trademark the name.
Yamaha has billed it as 'Faster Sons Chapter Two' while Shinya Kimura's MT-07 was chapter one, so there's a clue.
Confusingly, Yamaha's latest press release also calls this one the 'Faster Wasp', a reference to its ‘bumblebee colour scheme' which pays tribute to Kenny Roberts’ TZ750 of the '70s.
Yamaha Motor Europe Product Manager Shun Miyazawa confirmed it would influence a future product.
He said: 'Roland did a fantastic job with this build, respecting this philosophy in great detail. This has given us a huge confidence and, as with Shinya Kimura’s concept, has again confirmed our direction and bike building philosophy. We are working on future Faster Sons products and this concept is going to help us to accelerate bringing future products to the market.'
There's also a new video of the concept.
The concept features a hand-fabricated aluminum fuel tank, tail section, intake scoops, radiator covers, front number plate and mudguard.
Yamaha's release said: 'The ‘Faster Wasp’ rolls on RSD Morris forged aluminium wheels (17x3.5” front & 17x6.0” rear) wrapped in Dunlop Q3 tyres. The screaming triple sound track comes courtesy of Two Bros Racing stainless steel headers with an RSD Slant muffler. The power is transferred to the back wheel with Renthal sprockets and stopping power comes from RSD custom superbike front brake rotors, Performance Machine radial brake calipers, an RSD Radial brake master cylinder and Spiegler brake lines.
'An RSD cable clutch perch and Barnett custom clutch cable keep the gears in check and RSD Nostalgia handlebar risers, Renthal FATbar handlebars and RSD Traction grips give the rider total control. An Öhlins front fork cartridge kit and Öhlins rear shock keep the ride tight and Samco cooling lines adds a race level touch of detail.'
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