Rumours are brewing about a new offering from Yamaha that will see it showcase a new international contender with a 250cc motor sometime in 2013, that’s said to be visually similar to the current Yamaha YZF-R6, bringing the competition to Honda’s CBR250R and the newly launched Kawasaki Ninja 250R here in Malaysia.
As usual, information is always scarce and unconfirmed at the moment and although we could wager on it’s launch date, we’re certain Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) will be quick to tag on to this particular model, allowing B2 licence owners (limited to a maximum of 250cc motorcycles) to get in on the party as well, which seemed to be the main reason as to why Kawasaki Malaysia brought in the Ninja 250R instead of the 300R.
With HLYM having their own assembly plant in Sungai Buloh, it will mean import duty tax exemption which could mean that the upcoming Yamaha YZF-R250 should be priced around the low RM20k region in order to own one – as long as it looks as good as the photo rendering above of what the bike may look like. Even Suzuki has their very own GW250, which pretty much sums up the major Japanese bike manufacturers with a 250cc motor.
Perhaps this could be the reason why HLYM has suddenly begun upgrading and expanding their current facilities, though they say it’s for future demand levels, we dare speculate it could in preparation to assemble the YZF-R250 here in CKD form. Again, it’s all speculation at the moment.
With flashy sportbikes rumbling around, few have the necessary dough to own one, making it looked upon as as one of the ultimate luxuries here, but with looks that follow the R6, many may not resist the temptation of owning one.
All we need do now is wait and see if the Yamaha YZF-R250 makes an appearance at the upcoming 2012 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, try not to hold your breath till then everyone!
