NEW YAMAHAS | FIRST LOOK

Yamaha recently announced the first of its 2013 models, and there are no fewer than 13 of them, seven of which are streetable.

The Star cruiser brand is bringing back the 649cc V Star Custom after a year off, but not much has changed. The engineers’ new calculations show a 0.1-mile-per-gallon increase in fuel economy, plus increases of a third of an inch in overall height, a tenth of an inch in length and 1 pound in weight. MSRP has been raised $100 for a total of $6990. It will be available beginning in July of this year.

The WR250R, the street-legal version of the WR250F off-road bike, has seen slight changes from last year. It has gained 0.1-gallon in fuel capacity, nearly a quarter-inch in ground clearance and dropped 4 lbs. in excess weight, but also had an extra Benjamin stacked on its price tag to make it $6690. It will be available in August.

The XT250 dual-sport has seen some big changes. Fuel injection has replaced the 33mm Teikei carburetor, allegedly yielding an additional 3 mpg in fuel economy. Fuel capacity has increased nearly a quarter of a gallon as well, so between the two it should allow for more riding and less fill-ups. The ignition has been switched from a CDI to a simpler TCI version. As with many of Yamaha’s 2013 models, $100 has been added to the MSRP, bringing it to $5190. It will be available in June.

A somewhat popular sight in the streets of Tokyo (though not as common in the States) is the fat-tire TW200 dual-sport. Not much has changed for 2013 except for losing 1 lb. and gaining $100. It will be available in July.

On the scooter side, the 2013 Zuma 125 scooter has new paint options, with your choice of Matte Black or Dynamic Blue. The MSRP has increased $40 to $3390. It will be available in August.

Smaller sibling to the Zuma 125 is the Zuma 50F. Along with a $50 increase in MSRP to $2590, two new colors are available: Matte Black and Heat Red. It will be available in July.

After a year off, Yamaha is bringing back the Vino Classic with a few changes. The MSRP has increased $40 to $2290, but fuel injection has replaced the 14mm Teikei carburetor, so that $40 goes pretty far! Ground clearance has been increased a tenth of an inch, seat height raised a tenth of an inch, and the weight has gone up 1 lb. The Vino Classic comes only in Vanilla White. It will be available in June.

Off-road, Yamaha hasn’t changed much for 2013. All of the company’s dirtbikes—the YZ450F, WR250F, YZ250F, YZ250, YZ125 and YZ85—receive new graphics and a white rear fender, replacing the blue one found on the 2012 models. The YZ450F’s MSRP went up $140 for a total of $8490, and the WR250F’s went up $100 to $6990. The others did not see a price increase.

PHOTOS: Yamaha