New 2015 Yamaha WaveRunners

Yamaha Motor Australia has announced its 2015 line of
WaveRunner personal watercraft will arrive in Australian dealerships from November
1.

The exciting new range is highlighted by Yamaha’s new RiDE
dual-throttle handlebar controls for forward and reverse, the first complete
rework of the popular VX Series in a decade, and Yamaha’s next generation
NanoXcel material for its high performance SVHO models.

The RiDE system, which stands for Reverse with Intuitive
Deceleration Electronics, allows the rider to simply pull the right-hand
throttle lever to go forward, pull the left hand throttle lever to slow down
and reverse.

Let go of both levers and the watercraft is in neutral. The
right and left throttle levers can work together at speed to give the driver
maximum control.

An electronic Boat Control Unit, or BCU, that is
specifically tuned at the factory to account for the power and weight of each
specific model, controls the throttle system. This is to ensure optimum
performance across the range, delivering a completely smooth experience when
docking or slowing down.

The BCU is also programmed to understand driver input and
intention when both levers are pulled simultaneously, applying the appropriate
level of acceleration or deceleration to maximise control.

“RiDE has been in development for years with the goal of
forever changing the way people experience a personal watercraft,” said Scott
Watkins, product manager for Yamaha’s Watercraft division.

“Simply creating a deceleration mechanism wasn’t enough. We
wanted a new technology that drivers would use all the time on their
watercraft, and RiDE is just that. It’s a technology you will use the entire
time you ride. There’s never been anything quite like it.”

This all-new platform for the VX and VX Deluxe includes
features and technologies, including RiDE, that have never been seen before on
a value-priced watercraft, Yamaha says.

The high-performance VX18R also gets the new hull and deck
redesign and RiDE.

The redesign of the VX models includes a new hull and deck
that takes styling cues from Yamaha's flagship FX Series.

The striking new deck with aggressive hard-edged lines now
includes integrated mirrors, refined cockpit ergonomics, a two-piece seat
design and a larger stern platform.

Under the waterline is said to be of the best handling hulls
Yamaha has ever designed, with a modified hull strakes, softer bow chines, and
a new keel shape. 

The new hull delivers excellent stability for three-up
riding and towing, and precise responsiveness and predictability for thrilling
one-up riding, claims Yamaha.

To create NanoXcel 2, Yamaha engineers innovated at the
microscopic level using a combination of “nano” clay and glass micro-bubbles to
develop a new stronger resin that uses less material. The glass particles used
in NanoXcel 2 are smaller and stronger than other filler materials,
contributing to the strength, rigidity and lightweight of the new hulls and
decks.

NanoXcel 2 reduces the weight of the 2015 Yamaha FZS and FX
SVHO models by 16 and 21 kilograms respectively, making NanoXcel 2 hulls, decks
and liners the lightest in the industry and giving these high performance
WaveRunners a huge advantage in their power-to-weight specifications, says
Yamaha, adding that the result is noticeable improvements in acceleration and
handling on the water.

Yamaha’s FX and FZ series will be available at Yamaha’s
network of Authorised dealers from the beginning of November. New VX models
will be available in 2015. For more information visit your local authorised
Yamaha WaveRunner dealership or go to www.yamaha-motor.com.au.