Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575161
www.PowersportsBusiness.com MOTORCYCLE Powersports Business • October 5, 2015 • 49 At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the world's most iconic racing venues, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. honored the GSX-R, one of history's most significant motorcycle models. In the company of a host of Suzuki Racing Champions, including Kevin Schwantz, Suzuki unveiled a pair of 2016 Commemora- tive Edition GSX-R1000s that honor 30 years of GSX-R dominance. Ralph Sheheen, the voice of motorcycle racing on Fox Sports, helped Suzuki honor a top-flight list of riders who have raced Suzuki GSX-Rs and won at the national and world level over the last 30 years. The guest list included Schwantz, Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales of the Suzuki Ecstar MotoGP team, plus Chris Ulrich, John Ulrich, Aaron Yates, Don Emde, Elena Myers and many others. This special cadre of racers talked about the GSX-R's racetrack dominance and its significance as a performance streetbike. Suzuki executives presented each racer with a special award to honor their influence on the continual evolution of the GSX-R. In 1986, Suzuki introduced a red-and-black GSX-R750 to pay homage to the race bikes piloted by the Yoshimura Suzuki riders who competed at the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance races in the 1980s. Kevin Schwantz, who went on to become the 1993 Grand Prix World Champion, raced a GSX-R750 in the same scheme during his 1986 AMA Superbike campaign. As a tribute to those motorcycles, Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's Roger Hayden rolled out his red-and-black 2016 Commemorative Edition GSX-R1000 race bike during the MotoAmerica AMA Superbike races Aug. 8 and 9 at the Indy Motor Speedway. Hayden also sported red-and-black leathers in the same commemorative theme. The 2016 Red-and-Black Commemorative Edition GSX-R1000 will join the new Blue-White Commemorative Edition GSX-R1000 that was recently unveiled by the Suzuki Ecstar MotoGP factory team. This three-tone blue and white version delivers the classic GSX-R racer-replica statement via a classic Suzuki racing heritage motif that includes the revered GSX-R logo. When released to the public, each Com- memorative Edition GSX-R1000 will carry an exclusive "30 Years of Performance" badge atop its gas tank, plus special wheel striping to signify its limited production status. The enduring bodywork of both these Com- memorative Edition GSX-Rs encases renowned GSX-R performance — it's a unique and illus- trious heritage that has scored national and world championships for riders from the Amer- icas, Europe and Japan for 30 years. PSB Suzuki releases 2016 commemorative bike Yamaha's off-road playbikes are legendary for their versatility, durability and easy-to-ride, low-maintenance features. For 2016, the PW50 returns to continue its important mission to introduce young riders to the sport of motorcycling. The TT-R50E is also back with its convenient electric-start feature and auto-clutch transmission, as is the larger-capacity TT-R110E. All three bikes are the perfect starting point for young riders. Big fun for the whole family, the YZ-styled, easy electric-start, four-stroke-powered TTR125LE begs to be ridden by everyone from bigger kids to adults, and returns for 2016. A great choice for beginner and intermedi- ate riders, the TT-R230 also returns for 2016, with its YZ-inspired handling and looks, stout 223cc engine and handy electric start. The 2016 PW50, TT-R50E, TT-R110E, TT- R125LE and TT-R230 will each be available in Team Yamaha Blue/White. The PW50 will retail for $1,440 and arrived in dealerships beginning in September; the TT- R50E will retail for $1,540 and arrives in deal- erships beginning in November; the TTR-110E will retail for $2,240 and arrived in dealerships beginning in September; the TT-R125LE will retail for $3,290 and arrives in dealerships beginning in January; and the TT-R230 will retail for $3,990 and arrives in dealerships beginning in November. The TW200 is known for its unique terrain- conquering tires, low seat height, electric start- ing and on-/off-road capabilities. For 2016, the TW200 remains one of the most distinc- tive-looking dual-purpose motorcycles in the market. The 2016 TW200 will be available in Mineral Blue/White. Also offered in Mineral Blue for 2016 is the fuel-injected XT250, with its long-travel suspension and powerful front and rear disc brakes for superb stopping power on both paved and unpaved surfaces. Descended from Yamaha's YZ-F moto- cross bikesand off-road WR models, the dual- sport WR250R puts a little more emphasis on "sport." The WR250R is the pefect choice for enthusiasts who want to continue riding when the road ends. The 2016 TW200 will retail for $4,590 and arrive in dealerships beginning in October; the XT250 will retail for $5,190 and the WR250R will retail for $6,690, and both arrived in dealerships beginning in September. F o r f u n a n d f r u g a l - ity, nothing beats Yamaha's lineup of four-stroke scooters. For 2016, the Vino Classic returns with its 49cc, fuel- injected engine and a new Rosewood Brown color. T h e Z u m a 5 0 F a l s o returns for 2016, with its dirtbike-influenced styling, aggressive tires, and the triple-digit fuel economy of its thrifty 49cc four-stroke engine. The Zuma 50FX, which kicks things up a notch with its super- sport-inspired colors and graphics, is also back for 2016. The Zuma 50F is available in either Raven or Vanilla White, while the Zuma 50FX is offered in Stardust Silver or Radical White. The 155cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 2016 Smax returns with its combination of fuel efficiency, excellent acceleration and sporty power for commuting or riding on the high- way, even with two riders on board. It will be available in Candy Red and Gun Metal Gray color schemes. The 2016 Vino Classic will retail for $2,290, the Zuma 50F and the Zuma 50FX for $2,590, and the Smax for $3,690. All four scooters will be available in dealerships beginning in January. PSB Yamaha launches 2016 off-road playbikes, scooters The 2016 Yamaha TT-R50E serves as an ideal starter bike. The 2016 Commemorative Edition Suzuki GSX-R1000 celebrates 30 years of GSX-R.