T135 Development Story(Test Rider)

The last test that all new Yamaha motorcycles have to pass is on the test course. The test riding department is one where highly experienced test riders give the prototypes tough evaluations. Until these riders give a prototype their "OK"the testing and reworking go on. "We consider ourselves to be the closest department to the customers," says Mr. Kaoru Kamimura, who was in charge of riding tests for the T135. "So we have to be a tough gate to pass. There are things we absolutely cannot compromise on."

Of the many different factors we test for in the riding tests, from stability and reliability to handling, one of area that Yamaha has traditionally placed special importance on is whether or not the machine is truly fun to ride. Of course this held true for the T135 too. Says Mr. Kamimura, "We made sure that the T135 was not only a motorcycle that was easy to ride and gave you a sense of security, but also that there was true enjoyment to the ride, that there was an exciting pleasure to it."

So what does this "fun" that Yamaha dedicates itself to actually consist of? Test rider Kamimura says, "The big prerequisite is that the machine has the kind of outstanding handling stability that makes it easy for anyone to enjoy riding with full assurance. Then you want it to also be the kind of handling that responds faithfully to the will of the rider. A motorcycle that responds the way you want it to is one that is a pleasure to ride," he concludes.