Yamaha, through its exclusive Philippine distributor, Norkis Trading Co., kick- started the 2004 with an aggressive campaign that invites consumers to switch their mindset and to take a closer look at motorcycling. Promoting performance, efficiency, freedom and safety, the company’s SWITCH campaign aims to introduce motorcycle riding as a lifestyle that is not only fun and exciting but sensible as well.
To further enjoin people to switch, Norkis launched two new Yamaha "under-bone" motorcycles, the Crypton R and Crypton Z, last February 2 at Merck’s Bar in Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center in Makati. The Yamaha Crypton R is an upgrade of the current model, with front disk brake and a two-tone paint finish in either Yellow-Gray or Red-Black. It carries over the CDI-ignited 105cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that produces 8.3PS at 8,000rpm and 8.5Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. Equipped with an electric starter as well as a kick starter, the Crypton R offers convenience and riding ease, as well as comfort because of its low engine vibrations due to the built-in balancer system of the 4-stroke engine. Besides being compliant to the Clean Air Act, the factory also claims that the Crypton R is miserly on fuel, returning about 62 kilometers per liter.
Small-displacement motorcycle buffs may have reason to rejoice with the other new Yamaha, the performance-oriented Crypton Z. The 110-cc SOHC 4-stroke air-cooled engine is equipped with an oil-jet cooling system, which is a technology derived from the YZF-R1 and R6 sports bikes, and churns out 9PS at 8,000 rpm. The oil-jet cooling ensures the durability of the engine and its consistent power delivery, even through extended periods of high-speed operations. The Crypton Z’s body parts are 100 percent ABS resin for light-weight and strength and are designed for aerodynamic high-speed cruising. Two-tone color choices of Yellow-Black and Gray-Black and aggressive 17-inch tires with sporty thread patterns complete the performance and appearance package of the Crypton Z.
Norkis-Yamaha EVP for Marketing, Manuel Gaspar "Boy" Albos announced that the company is confident that the two models will contribute tremendously to their marketing and sales campaign by attracting new buyers to switch to Yamaha, while retaining the loyalty of thousands of satisfied owners of the previous Crypton models. He likewise announced that other new models are in the pipeline as the company heads towards their goal of selling about 60,000 bikes in 2004.
With these developments, Norkis-Yamaha personnel are bracing themselves for a busy year, one that will be remembered for the big "switch". After all, Valentino Rossi took his five world titles and two MotoGP championships to Yamaha this year, and the F4 boys are also shown riding around in Yamaha motorcycles. Which brings us back to Norkis-Yamaha’s invitation: Isn’t it time that we switch, too?