NEW NAKED, NEW STYLE…
A new naked style, 100% Yamaha: called Bulldog, makes biking even more fun.
Text by Andrea Di Marcantonio

Do you still remember what it is like to ride a real bike ?. An intrinsically real bike and a true adventure companion, ideal for those summer time biking excursions together with your passenger.
We are talking about biking as it once was, before the advent of the super fast, and super sporting bikes. Yamaha has been the first to return to this racing format, with its R range, of high tech content, with a horse power and biking performance unheard of until a few years ago.
The new Bulldog allows the user to rediscover the authentic biking concept, based on a sense of the past and sheer biking freedom.
The Bulldog bike is available in three colours (blue, silver and black), whilst retaining all the salient features of a "muscle bike": with a high impact look and a power level that is easily handled by the rider, which constitutes the winning combination of the Yamaha naked bike.
In terms of appearance, what immediately takes the eye is the original combination of colour blends and sturdy frame which supports a dual cylinder 1.063 c.c. unit. The handlebar is positioned towards the rider to ensure a firm grip, and more important a central position of the rider himself, as he does not need to incline his body forward.. The circular projection element incorporates the parking lights, while at the rear of the small Plexiglas element we find the complete instrument panel, consisting of circular speed meter (with integrated speed counter) and digital display. There are also a series of service lights. The electric blocks could do with a little improvement (they are truly rather basic), although the lever elements benefit from a series of useful adjustment elements. The actual biking aspect features a telescopic fork element which is adjustable in the spring pre-charging stage with an extension range of 130 mm, while on the rear axle side is a "mono" with oscillating fork (with an extension range of 113 mm in this case). The frame is reinforced thanks to a sturdy reinforcement element which extends from the sleeve to the top of the rear cylinder. The Yamaha propulsion element also boasts a "V" shaped dual cylinder arrangement (95x75 being the bore and stroke values) air cooled with SOHC distribution; it also boasts an interesting torque value (Pkg/m at 4,500 revs), with the capacity of delivering 65 HP at 5,500 revs, a power level that it modest but just right for this naked Yamaha model. The two standard exhaust elements made of stainless steel are nothing special but the saddle is extremely comfortable with a saddle height equivalent to 812 mm, which makes it ideal for riders of smaller build.
Bulldog is a pleasure to ride on the road thanks to its excellent torque value present at all speeds; it is possible to go up to the 2.,000 revs indicated without the need for excessive "gear" manipulation, thanks to the generous performance levels of this Japanese dual cylinder feature. The engine is fluid and responds under all conditions, thanks to a well- balanced ratio between one gear and the next. There being only a slight "uncertainty" in manoeuvre of the transitory gears in third/fourth gear, while the clutch operates wonderfully. It is possible to maintain a speed of 140 km/h on the motorway without any excessive or annoying turbulence, although for a faster speed, a sturdier Plexiglas guard would be needed.
The bike is heavy and the bulk can be felt especially in those manoeuvres starting from standstill, but once the first kilometres have been covered, it is possible to almost forget the 230 Kg dry weight of the bike, it makes for a smooth ride on town roads, although the best performance is assured on leaving the straight road.
The Bulldog therefore provides a good ride over mixed road conditions, such as mountain roads, offering a good ride despite its weight; obviously the bike is rather heavy to handle on gear changing, but the sturdy propeller action is highly effective in the more guided sections.
The fork performance is good, being smooth over the first section, although it would need to be pre-charged should one wish a faster ride over flat ground with marked bends.
The work of the fork "filter" is noticeable on stone paved town roads, as well as the action of the rear mono; for town riding with passenger it is advisable to give the rear mono a little extra "smoothness", in order to avoid any "decisive" responses.
The braking system that is always generous despite the limited versatility of the front system consisting of two 298 mm disk brakes.
The Bulldog bike has made its mark at a time when the "kings" of the road are the racing replica bikes; but this bike has been conceived for those who genuinely desire a return to authentic biking values and experiences.

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
V-dual cylinder technical configuration
Bore x stroke 95x75 mm
Cylinder displacement 1063 cc
SOHC distribution
Power rating and Torque: 65 HP at 5500 revs/9 kgm at 4500 revs.
Compression ratio: 8.3:1
Power feed Mikuni BSR - 37 mm
Air cooling
Damp casing lubrication
TCI digital electronic ignition
Multi-disc clutch in oil bath
Electrical ignition
sleeve inclination nd
Centre distance: 1,530 mm
Saddle height 812 mm
Front suspension telescopic fork/extension 130 mm
Rear suspension oscillating fork/extension 113 mm
5- spoke rims
Front tires: 120/70x17" - rear tires: 170/60x17"
Front braking system: 2 disks, 298 mm Dia.
Rear braking system: one disk, 267 mm Dia.
Tank capacity: 20 litres
Specified dry weight: 229.5 Kgs