According to sources at Yamaha, "everything about this bike is awesome." Of course we expect them to say that, but judging by some of the numbers we've seen, we will not attempt to counter that statement. How does 143 horsepower at the crank with a dry weight of 450 lbs and fully adjustable suspension sound to you? To us, that sounds like about a peak of 122 bhp with a hefty torque curve wrapped in a brand new, tubular steel double cradle frame. In all, probably weighing in at 485 pounds wet. If these numbers hold true, that's about twelve more horsepower and 35 less pounds than Suzuki's Bandit 1200S.

The double cradle frame will be made of steel and not aluminum. Sure, aluminum may be lighter and more rigid, but it also transmits more shock into the rider's hands, feet and buttocks. Besides, Yamaha's engineers are convinced that the steel frame they have come up with is sufficiently rigid for any sort of use -- no matter how closely that borders on abuse -- a rider is likely to subject it to.

First Look : Yamaha Fazer 1000