2009 Yamaha Ttr-110 Ye on 2040-motos

Moto blog

OEMs Plug into Electric Bikes

KTM introduced its prototype electric motorcycle earlier this week, and electric bike manufacturer Zero Motorcycles almost immediately responded by opening sales on its 2009 Zero X dirt bike (look for our review of the 2008 model next week!). But these two companies aren’t the only ones exploring the possibilities of electric-powered motorcycles. In September, Japan’s largest industrial information journal Nikkei Business Daily reported that both Honda and Yamaha have set target dates for launching their own electric-powered motorcycles.

Japan Needs Your Help

By now, we’ve all seen pictures and video of the devastation in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and the ensuing tsunamis. Japan, of course, has contributed much to motorcycling, with the Big Four of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, as well as tire manufacturer Bridgestone, helmet companies Arai and Shoei and many other motorcycle industry stalwarts all coming from the Land of the Rising Sun. Jon Bekefy and Greg Hatton, two motorcycle enthusiasts, industry employees  and above all, humanitarians, have set up a fundraising campaign benefiting the Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan.

Yamaha Showcases New “Revs Your Heart” Slogan with Impressive Domino Show – Video

Yamaha recently announced it is adopting a new slogan to go with its “New Medium-Term Management Plan” for 2013-2015: “Yamaha Revs Your Heart“. The new slogan connects two key themes for Yamaha, the sound of its engines racing and the passion its products instills in its customers. To introduce its new brand slogan, Yamaha Motor produced a video featuring thousands of cascading dominoes.