2015 Yamaha Shaft Drive Motorcycle Lineup

In the current model year, Yamaha Motor Co. are only offering three shaft drive machines, namely the FJR1300, the V-Max and the Super Tenere.

Let's say this again: the second largest manufacturer in the world, with a palette of some 30-odd models, offers a mere three types of shaft drive machine.

Yamaha Super Ténéré XTZ1200

Yamaha have been making large dual purpose motorcycles under the (Super) Ténéré banner for something like 20 years now, but none of the earlier models have a lot in common with the new monster that is the Super Ténéré 1200. Clearly the crew from Iwata are dead set to seize the "big bore dualsport" crown from BMW's R 1200.

The new Super Ténéré sports its own unique high-tensile steel backbone frame and fuel injected 270-degree parallel twin engine, which work together to centralise the bike’s mass and lower its centre of gravity. 

Yamaha XS750 and XS850 Triples

The three-cylinder, shaft drive Yamaha XS750/850 was produced between 1976 and 1981, and while it was one of the most technologically advanced motorcycles of its day, the XS Triple never enjoyed the success of comparable bikes from other Japanese manufacturers.

Driven from the superbike market after the Yamaha TX750 twin proved unreliable, Yamaha faced the challenge of producing a new bike that was unique but not too radical for the mainstream market. Their solution was a 750cc DOHC inline three cylinder engine, producing 65 hp in standard form, in a fairly run-of-the mill "big bike" chassis.

Yamaha V-Max

The Yamaha V-max inhabits a category of its own. Is it a sportsbike, a cruiser, a musclebike? Who knows. All we know is that since it's launch in 1985 the V-Max has polarized the biking community like no other.
With an insanely powerful V-4 engine, shaft drive and monster looks the 1200cc machine never was for the faint hearted. While some criticise the cornering ability and general handling, that's completely beside the point - motorcycles like the VMAX are not about being safe or in control!