An Yamaha R9 is likely to come first. Of the firm’s MT naked bikes, the MT-09 is the only one without an equivalent R-branded model. (Yamaha Motor/)
Having expanded the “R” range to include this year’s new YZF-R7, Yamaha appears to be on the verge of a new sportbike onslaught, with trademark applications being filed for another two models: the R9 and R2. Earlier this year Yamaha filed trademark applications in Japan for a whole array of R-badged models, going all the way from the R1 to R9, along with R15, R20, and R25. However, such a widespread approach suggested the firm was simply covering all the bases to ensure that if the decision was made to make an R-bike in any capacity, there wouldn’t be any problems over naming rights.
The new R9 and R2 trademarks are different. The applications were filed in the European Union at the same time that Yamaha applied for the R7 trademark, and the fact that R2 and R9 have been picked while other unused options (R4, R5, and R8) have been ignored suggests these models have a real chance of production. More evidence comes from the fact that Yamaha also applied for the R2 and R9 trademark rights in Australia at the same time.
– Yamaha has filed trademarks for the R2 and R9 in Europe and Australia, so there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing production models soon. View patent here. –
Of the two, the R9 is the easiest to explain, and a logical next step for Yamaha. The firm has an increasingly close connection between its R-branded sport models and the MT naked bikes, and with the launch of the YZF-R7—based on the MT-07—the three-cylinder MT-09 is the only MT model without an R equivalent.
Looking up the rest of the range, we can see the entry-level MT-125 has the R125, as does the fractionally larger 150cc MT-15 and R15 sold in some Asian markets. The MT-03 and R3 share their mechanical parts, as do the visually identical MT-25 and R25. Most recently we’ve seen the R7 join the MT-07, and at the top of the range the MT-10 sits alongside the YZF-R1.
Not only does the MT-09 have no R-branded sibling, but it’s a notable hole in Yamaha’s sportbike range, particularly with the discontinuation of the YZF-R6. There’s now no steppingstone between the 72 bhp YZF-R7 and the 197 bhp YZF-R1, and that’s a daunting leap for even the most confident upcoming rider.
The inclusion of an R9 model—perhaps based on the MT-09 SP—would fill a large gap in the brand’s current sportbike offerings. (Yamaha Motor)
Simply wrapping the existing MT-09 SP, which already has uprated suspension over the base MT-09, in full-faired bodywork, adding rearset pegs and dropped bars, would instantly create a 117 hp intermediate sport model, the YZF-R9, giving performance roughly on par with the old R6 while adding economies of scale to help keep costs down.
– While it’s not clear if the R2 would see the light of day in Western markets, there’s a good chance it would do well elsewhere. View patent here. –
The R2 is a slightly less obvious new model and would presumably be either a variety of the YZF-R3 and YZF-R25 that’s further sleeved down to hit a 200cc capacity, or a version of the R125 and R15 that’s bored out to reach the same size.
While 125cc and 250cc have traditionally been normal capacity classes in Europe, the latter has since been superseded by 300cc machines in many cases, and there’s already a strong 200cc class in some countries, like India. Both the “R2” name and the “R20” trademark that was filed in Japan earlier this year could well apply to such a bike, either as a replacement for the existing 150cc R15 or as an additional offering.
In Western markets, where the R125 and R3 are already sold, it’s unlikely the R2 will be an important new model.
