Yamaha R1 and MT01 will soon take the credit of being the first legally available hi-powered bike in india. You no longer have to go grey market for bigger bikes( the super rich in India buys around 250 imported bikes every year but most of them in the grey market). Indian government allowed the import of bigger bikes with engine specifications of 800-cc and above in april 2007. The bike-maker is required to adhere to Euro-III emission norms.Tension free bike buying is here! Yamaha has homologised the YZF R1 and MT-01 and got the approval from ARAI. Yamaha will use the YZF R1 and MT-01 (imported as CBU) for its brand building. In 2008 it plans to roll out a 150cc bike and an automatic scooter. Now, Yamaha is gearing up for big launch. Really big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally India will receive true Yamaha bikes. But one thing makes the launch more special, though indians are new to high end bikes, Yamaha decides to treat India on par with developed markets. Yes, India will get 2008 YZF R1 and MT-01 similar to western peers. But india will get these beasts in particular colours – YZF R1 in two colours only (Two-tone Team Yamaha Blue / White and Midnight Black) and MT – 01 in only one colour (Midnight Black). Check out the new features of 2008 Yamaha YZF R1 and 2008 MT-01
It is preparing to provide good service to those special YZF R1 and MT-01 buyers at an unheard standard. The training programme for service men are already over. Yamaha has already announced this YZF R1 and MT-01 will be available only through hand picked showrooms across the country. The servicing will be done in those showrooms only(which developed the facility to service r1 and mt 01). Yamaha YZF R1 will be available only in two colours – black and blue stripes on white back. Few customisation has been made by Yamaha for india which include a saree guard. The price of both the YZF R1 and MT-01 will be above 10 lakhs. Yamaha will launch both the YZF R1 and MT-01simulatenously in the first week of december(possibly December 5th). Wanna test drive the YZF R1 or MT-01 when launched? only one way, you have to buy it(book it). Test drive bike may not be available in the showroom.
In 1997 , BMW entered India in a joint venture with the Hero Group and launched F650. The plan was to locally assemble and sell high-end bikes. However, the venture failed to take off and the company made an early exit from the two-wheeler market. However Indian two wheeler market has grown a lot in last 10 years. Yamaha’s global competetiors Honda and Suzuki will also launch their high end bikes soon.
Update: Yamaha YZF R1 and MT-01 will be launched on December 04th in Delhi. In Bangalore it will be available from December 07th.
Update 04/12/07: Now you can book YZF R1 and MT-01 through http://vicky.in. Leave your details in the contact us form(below) so that we can get back to you.