Two possible winners for Yamaha

As part of its Ruby Anniversary celebrations, Norkis introduced two new Yamaha motorcycles, the STX and the Crypton. Test rides for the motoring journalists were conducted in the Norkis complex in Mandaue, Cebu.

A new 4-stroke engine with a built-in balancer powers the new Yamaha STX. The air-cooled 125-cc SOHC motor idles and revs so smoothly that the regular vibrations and buzzing associated with singles is virtually eliminated. Coupled with Yamaha’s rotary 5-speed transmission and a high-ratio rear sprocket, the STX has ample torque at low engine speeds and gives a crisp acceleration.

The logical sequence in shifting gears (up to shift to the next higher gear, and down to shift to the lower gear or find neutral) and the light clutch promote ease in riding while the smoothness of the engine reduces rider fatigue, making the STX ideal for long rides. Fuel efficiency, placed at 35 km/l, and increased payload capacity are the other benefits derived from the new engine.

This is very beneficial to the target market of Norkis, since it is marketing the STX as its "Super Taxi" or tricycle model. Tricycles are very important to Norkis. It was the company’s founder and chairman, Norberto Quisumbing, Jr., who virtually invented the tricycle in 1963 while he was in Dagupan City. He thought of attaching the Yamaha YG1 80-cc motorcycle to a manually driven pedicab, which were being banned in Manila at that time by then mayor Arsenio Lacson who loathed at it as slave-labor type of work. Thirty nine years later, over two million tricycles now ply the streets of the country, serving as public utilities and as vehicles for farm use.

The Yamaha Crypton, on the other hand, is targeting the solo riders who value efficiency and economy while traveling around the town or city. Powered by a new 4-stroke, air-cooled, 105-cc single-cylinder engine, this latest variant has improved torque and fuel efficiency.

Factory figures of 62 km/l on city riding and 72 km/l on the highway are quoted for this popular "underbone" model, so-called because of its frame configuration. A neat feature that would catapult the Crypton past its competitors is the clutch-less rotary 5-speed transmission.

An electric starter whirls the engine to life and you’ll immediately notice the absence of rough vibrations inherent in single cylinder engines, mainly due to the built-in balancer of the new engine. The absence of a clutch lever on the left side of the handlebar may take some getting used to, but the precise and logical operation of the transmission won’t leave you second-guessing.

Acceleration is brisk, and when you pull the brakes, a ventilated disc brake in the front and drum brake in the rear will slow down the bike without drama. The seat is comfortable, and the controls are logically placed, making the Crypton an excellent bike for first-time riders.

The previous Yamaha Crypton captured a large chunk of the solo or cub market in the Visayas and Mindanao areas. Norkis is confident that the new Crypton will capture an even bigger market share due to its improved features and attractive price.

Ably supported by 600 dealers and 200 service centers throughout its nationwide network, Norkis appears to have a couple of winners in this upgraded bikes.