January 22, 2008
How the XV 1900 was born
Made in Japan? Not so fast…!
By John Bayliss
On Sept. 10, Yamaha introduced a number of exciting new models for 2008. I would like to take you behind the scenes and provide some insights into how our latest Star cruiser, the XV1900 Custom bike evolved; you might be surprised…
Made in Japan right? Not so fast! Made in Japan yes, but conceived and designed in the USA. Here is how the process works.
Yamaha Motor USA (YMUS) has a full staff of product planners who attend key motorcycle events across the country. They talk one-on-one with as many customers as possible.
As they begin to develop a feel and direction for a new model, they contact Yamaha USA’s design company in Southern California, near where YMUS is based.
The design company takes the research info and produces a number of basic sketches of the new idea. The sketches are shown both internally at YMUS and to selected customers. A “whittling down” process will reduce the number of sketches from 15 or so down to the top 3 or 4.
Depending on the model, the planners will then host a focus group study for even more feedback. At this stage YMUS may
stick to the final design ideas or continue to make changes based on feedback.
After much internal discussion, a final sketch direction is chosen. (See left and right here for sample bike sketches.)
The sketch is taken from paper and is duplicated in real life – yes, sir, a full-size prototype model with all the bells and whistles is produced. For the record, these models do not run but can be touched and sat on (very carefully please!) … they are real motorcycles for all intents and purposes – except for the riding part.
As the old saying goes; “a picture (or in this case a 3D model, see left) is worth a thousand words!”
Once the model is finished (which happens surprisingly quickly), the model is crated and shipped off to Yamaha Japan (YMC).
The YMUS product planners, including their in-house Japanese assistant, travel to YMC for the big presentation. Engineers, upper management and sales staff are all present at this meeting. Can you say “pressure”? Believe me, this is a stressful time for all involved!
During the meeting, the planners review their customer research, current trends in the biz, and describe their ‘target audience’. The bottom line is they make their best pitch for this new idea. Once they have everybody truly excited about the project, they unveil the 3D model. If all goes well, the engineers jump up and start checking out the model in detail!
After a period of time, the engineers will begin to assess what they can, and cannot, do. Some of the features of the 3D model may not be possible to duplicate due to mass production restrictions. It is not uncommon for other players/countries to join these presentations, too. Yamaha Europe,Yamaha Australia, and Yamaha Canada are often present, with the hope that we’ll buy into the project.
Stay tuned for part 2 to come in the next few days!
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I just bought the Raider and I am entirely in love with the bike. Great looks, great ride, great power, great horn, mufflers too quiet. Because it is a motorcycle, I like to be seen and heard, for safety sake. Can the mufflers be altered for a throatier sound, or must I resort to after market pipes that don’t look as good, in my opinion?
Thanks Charles, when it comes to modifying our exhaust systems, it is our policy to run them stock. I understand the argument of ‘loud pipes save lives’…
April 4th, 2008 at 11:32 pmPlease understand we are in a constant battle to preserve riding areas and improve the image of motorsports in general. Quite often loud pipes do us more harm than good. To answer your question, I’m not sure if anyone has a mod for your system but you will have to do your research and make that decision on your own, we cannot endorse modifying the exhaust to produce more noise. cheers cr
i agree with charles, i had an original Vmax and was going to buy the new one but the ride was really uncomfortable (shame) so i bought an xv1900 but what is the point of designing such a wonderful engine if you going to make it sound so girly? my wife has a hair dryer that sound more powerful!
regards
john clark
October 31st, 2009 at 6:41 amperth