FIRST LOOK: 2016 Yamaha 60th Anniversary Specials

Among the latest announcements for 2016 models, Yamaha introduced special 60th Anniversary versions of the current YZF-R1, the longstanding (and yet still current, at least for now) YZF-R6, and the Super Ténéré.

All three come in the distinctive yellow/white/black “bumblebee” livery that adorned such bikes as Kenny Roberts’ championship-winning YZR500 (OW35K) of 1978. It wasn’t the first 500cc GP machine to take the championship for Yamaha. That would be Giacomo Agostini’s 1975 YZR500. But King Kenny’s epic 1978 would mark the first of three consecutive titles for Yamaha and Roberts, and cement the corporate paint scheme to Kenny’s string of successes.

The 60th Anniversary YZF-R1 is mechanically identical to the standard R1 save for the color scheme. MSRP is $16,990, a $500 bump from the base machine, and will be available in February.

The 60th Anniversary YZF-R6 runs $11,490, also a $500 upcharge. As with the R1, the bike is mechanically the same as its conventionally liveried version.

Finally, the Super Ténéré will appear in the 60th Anniversary scheme in November for an MSRP of $15,990, also a $500 increase over the base Super T. Note that the bumblebee paintwork will not be available on the electronic-suspension ES model.

And speaking of the Super T, black (okay, Raven) is the new, er, black for 2016. Both versions, mechanically unchanged from 2015 spec, will appear in dealers in November. The base Super T runs $15,090, while the ES costs $16,190. Both MSRPs are the same as for the ’15 models. Just say no to inflation!