Yamaha Opens New Motorcycle Testing Center
Wed, 13 Nov 2013
Yamaha has completed construction of a new test course for developing motorcycles for emerging markets in Kikugawa, Japan.
The 121-acre Yamaha Motor Kikukawa Test Course features a 1.18-mile circuit and a mix of multi-purpose roads and mountain terrain. It will be used to develop new motorcycles for Latin America and Asia.
Construction for the Kikukawa Test Course was initially supposed to begin in 2009 but was delayed when the global recession hit. The original plans called for a 1.86-mile course, but Yamaha scaled back its plans before construction began in June 2011.
Yamaha has four other test centers in Japan, located in Fukuroi, Hamamatsu, Omaezaki and Shibetsu.
[Source: Yamaha]
By Dennis Chung
See also: Jeremy Burgess Out and Silvano Galbusera In as Valentino Rossi’s Crew Chief, Yamaha Announces Star Bolt Café Prototype for 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, Yamaha EVINO and EKIDS Prototypes Annonced for Tokyo Motor Show.