Remember the Yamaha MT-01 concept that caused such a stir at the Tokyo Motor Show several years ago (take a look at our article here)? Well, that concept is now a reality — Yamaha is manufacturing the MT-01 for availability early next year. According to one of Yamaha’s press representatives in the United States, Brad Bannister, the MT-01 is a Europe-only model for 2005. Yamaha U.S. is studying the market, however, and it is possible the MT-01 will be available in the United States in the future, but not for 2005.
True to the concept, the MT-01 retains much of the styling that was so well received at the Tokyo show, and features a version of the air-cooled Road Star 1,700cc engine surrounded by a sportbike-quality chassis, suspension and brakes. Yamaha is calling the MT-01 a “torque sports roadster”. Take a look at the web site Yamaha has set up for this new machine.