The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show is about to kick off in a matter of days now, and concept photos have been hitting teh internets like a celebrity sex tape. We’ve already noted the Honda CR-Z concept that may portend a CR-X revival, but the design, while admirably swoopy, sadly lacked any hint of nostalgia. In fact, the show was looking pretty bleak fans or vintage style until we remembered that the ToMoShow isn’t just a flaunt-fest for four-wheeled transport; a huge wing of Makuhari Messe is devoted to motorcycles, man!
And that’s when we saw this. Pure, undistilled beauty on wheels, thy name be Yamaha XS-V1 Sakura! We rarely mention Yamaha here at Japanese Nostalgic Car because it doesn’t build, you know, cars. However, it does deserve credit for helping craft some truly legendary nostalgics like the Toyota 2000GT and Nissan Silvia, and now it’s gone and stolen our hearts with this gorgeous machine.
The Sakura concept pays homage to the company’s first four-stroke motorcycle, the 650cc 1970 XS-1. Like its predecessor, it’s powered by a V-twin and, according to the sparse press release, embodies “Japanese style” and “a retro-modern aesthetic.” True that, Jehoshaphat. The grayish-pink paint job alludes to the name Sakura, Japanese for cherry blossom, and further evokes that grainy, soft-focus waft of yesteryear – but with a roaring, contemporary 1,000cc engine between the pegs. Modern mechanicals, classic look. Doesn’t get much better than that. We need a four-wheeled equivalent, now. But even if that happens, sign us up for one of these babies.
[Yamaha]
