Yamaha Gts1000
NEW FOR '93 YAMAHA GTS1000
INTRODUCING JAPAN'S FIRST HUB-STEER MOTORCYCLE
YAMAHA'S SPECTACULAR NEW FRONT-SWINGARM GTS1000 will be sold in the United States next year. At its 1993-model press launch, Yamaha squashed rumors that the stunning sport-tourer would be limited to the European market.
"The GTS is a very exclusive motorcycle and its buyers will be experienced riders who consider motorcycles to be very important in their lives," said a Yamaha spokesman.
The centerpiece of the GTS is its unconventionally steered and suspended front end, the first such design to go into production on a Japanese motorcycle. The concept was penned some 15 years ago and patented in 1985 by American inventor James Parker (see accompanying sto ries). Yamaha licensed the rights to the patent in 1990 and developed it for use on the GTS 1000.
Much like the Bimota Tesi chassis, the GTS's-called Omega because the main frame and swingarms resemble the Greek letter-utilizes two aluminum plates to sandwich the engine. Unlike those of the Tesi, these plates are cast, not machined, and are connected with welded crossmem bers. A pair of steel subframes-one holds the front fairing, handlebars, lighting assembly and instrumentation, the other supports the tail section-are bolted to the frame.
YAMAHA GTS1000
The rear suspension is traditional in design, with a spring-preload and rebound-adjustable single shock linked to a Deltabox aluminum swingarm. Yamaha's new flag ship rolls on specially designed cast-aluminum 17-inch wheels-a 3.5-inch front and a 5.5-inch rear-and U.S. mod els will be fitted with either Dunlop or Bridgestone radials in 130/60 front and 170/60 rear sizes.
Yamaha claims 100 horsepower from the GTS's 1002cc, dohc, 20-valve inline-Four. Compared to the FZR1000's 123-horsepower engine from which it was de rived, the GTS's motor has different camshafts, revised ig nition timing, a tower compression ratio (10.8:1 compared to 12.0:1) and electronic fuel injection. Reportedly, these changes result in increased midrange engine performance. Cooling is addressed by a curved radiator equipped with twin exhaust fans, and valve adjustment intervals are called for every 27,000 miles.
According to Yamaha, the (ii'S's fuel-injection system is "very automotive in design" and uses independently controlled injectors for each of the four inlet tracts. Nine sensors monitor atmospheric pressure, crankshaft position, engine rpm, ignition, intake-air temperature and pressure, oxygen levels, throttle opening and coolant temperature. In addition, an automatic cold-starting system has been incor porated, eliminating the need for a manual choke. In re sponse to environmental concerns, specifically in Europe, the GTS also has a catalytic converter incorporated into its exhaust system.
Up front, braking is accomplished by a single, 12.9-inch disc gripped by a massive six-piston caliper. The "hat shaped," automotive-style rotor is vented both axially and radially for increased cooling, and is mounted to the left side of the front wheel inboard of the aluminum upright. At the rear, a single disc is fitted with a twin-piston caliper. The GTS also benefits from an upgraded version of Yamaha's excellent anti-lock braking system. All U.S. models will have the system (and a GTS1000A designa tion); in Europe, the ABS will be optional.
The GTS is fitted with relatively high, clip-on-type han dlebars, slightly rearset footpegs and a wide, flat saddle, offering sporting-yet-comfortable ergonomics to compli ment its swoopy bodywork. Instruments include a 160 mph electronic speedometer, a fuel gauge, a clock, a 10,500-rpm tachometer, two tripmeters, a fuel light, and indicator lights for the ABS system, oil and coolant tem peratures, high beam and turnsignals. -
Yamaha hopes to offer optional Krauser-manufactured hard luggage designed specifically for the GTS. At the bike's introduction, however, details were not yet finalized. A small, lockable storage area-perfect for gloves, sunglass es and spare keys-is located inside the fuel-tank cover. The fuel tank itself is located under the rear half of the cover, running down to just above the engine's gearbox.
Production ver~ons of the GTS 1000 are scheduled to be in U.S. dealerships by the spring.
