Yamaha Corporation is one of the world's largest corporations with a long history of existence. Today it includes several subsidiaries involved in the development of a certain type of product. One of them is Yamaha Motor, an enterprise engaged in the production of motorized equipment, including well-known motorcycles «Yamaha».

Yamaha Corporation logo

Yamaha Motor Company logo

How it all began

The founder of the Japanese company Yamaha Corporation is Torakusu Yamaha. He was the first person to design and manufacture harmoniums. Keyboards and other musical instruments were produced under the brand name Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd, which was founded in 1887.

Thorakusu Yamaha (1851-1916)

Yamaha piano from 1902

The Japanese entrepreneur did not stop at producing harmoniums and pianos. Together with the development of musical instruments, the company is mastering a related area, such as the production of metal components for manufactured keyboard instruments. Until 1920, the company operated in this area.

Yamaha Harmonica

1922 Yamaha gramophone

Since the 20s of the last century, a decision was made to develop in a completely different direction. The company is mastering and successfully developing the production of aircraft propellers, which came in handy more than ever with the outbreak of World War II. However, at the end of hostilities, the Japanese government confiscated the Nippon Gakki plant, where metal products were produced.

Nippon Gakki Factory in 1935

Genichi Kawakami (1912-2002)

The company managed to return its own production base only almost 10 years later, in 1954. The production of motorcycles began at the returned plant. After a year of work, the management of the concern decided to spin off the development of motor vehicles into an independent company. Thus, in 1955, Yamaha Motor Company Limited appeared, whose activities were headed by Genichi Kawakami. At that time he was also the president of Nippon Gakki.

The first Yamaha motorcycles

The year 1955 is significant for the company in that the first motorcycle rolled off the assembly line of the Nippon Gakki plant. We are talking about the Yamaha YA-1 model. It was copied from a model of a German company DKW RT 125. However, among the people, the Yamaha YA-1 received the nickname «Aka-tombo», or «Red dragonfly». The simple design of the bike and its chestnut-red color inspired this unusual name.

Motorcycle Yamaha YA-1 1955

Motorcycle Yamaha YD-1 1957

«Red dragonfly» - not just the first motorcycle from a Japanese manufacturer «Yamaha». It was this bike model that laid the foundation for the brand’s sporting victories in racing. For the first time, a Yamaha YA-1 motorcycle participated in a competition held at the foot of Mount Fuji. And at the very first race, the Japanese motorcycle won.

Motorcycle Yamaha MF-1 1958

Outboard motor Yamaha P-7

Success in motorcycle production contributed to the fact that the company began to gradually expand and develop new directions. So, in 1959, Yamaha Motor began producing motor boats, which were created using fiber-reinforced polymer, as well as P-7 two-stroke outboard motors with 7 hp.

Entering foreign markets

A year later, in 1960, the decision was made to enter a new market. And the United States became the new territory to be developed. A separate company, Yamaha International Corporation, is created to sell products to American customers.

After just a few years, the corporation is developing several more areas of production:

1. Golf carts in 1975.
2. Snow removal equipment in 1978.

Golf car Yamaha YG-292 1975

Snow blower Yamaha YT-665 1978

Not only the range of products, but also the number of production bases is gradually increasing. So, in 1964, another subsidiary of Siam Yamaha Co. was opened, localized in Thailand. 2 years later, in 1966, «Yamaha» begins production of motorcycles in Taiwan.

Moped Yamaha FS1 1968

Motorcycle Yamaha XS750 1976

By the end of the 1970s the company «Yamaha» managed to conquer the US market, and not only it. By this time, the Japanese manufacturer was second in the world in terms of the number of motorcycles produced.

In 1981, the company made an attempt to become a leader in the field, trying to displace its competitor from the first meta Honda. For this purpose, they are launching the production of new motorcycle models. However, a competing company is taking similar measures. The American competitor has also become more active - Harley Davidson, who managed to achieve restrictions on the number of Japanese motorcycles imported into the United States.

Motorcycle Yamaha RZ350 1983

Motorcycle Yamaha FZ750 1985

The Japanese brand was unprepared for such measures. The company did not have its own production bases in America. As a result of the imposed restrictions, Yamaha Motor suffered significant losses:

1. Left with over a million unsold motorcycles.
2. Collected $1 billion in debt.
3. Incurred a net loss of 126 million.

Motorcycle Yamaha V-Max 1985

Motorcycle Yamaha XVZ Venture Royale 1983

A year after the crisis, the company managed to restore its position. In 1982, the Yamaha Motor brand began a partnership with a French scooter manufacturer Motobecane. After a short period of time, most of the shares of this company are taken over by «Yamaha».

Since 1985, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has been operating in India. In 1990, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer became a partner of Yamaha Motor Minarelli, which 12 years later will become part of the corporation «Yamaha».

Motorcycle Yamaha XSR900 Abarth 2015

Car Fiat 500 Abarth

In 2015 the company «Yamaha» begins collaboration with the Italian sports car manufacturer. The result of their work was the Yamaha XSR900 Abarth motorcycle and the Fiat 500 Abarth Tributo.

Over a fairly long period of work in the motorcycle market, Yamaha Motor has managed to produce many worthwhile motorcycles. However, most of all fans around the world remember the following models of motorcycles from the Japanese manufacturer:

FJR1300

FJR1300 is the flagship sport tourer developed by the company «Yamaha» for sales to European and US markets. The motorcycle model was first introduced in 2001 and was equipped with: a 1298 cm³ liquid-cooled injection engine and a power of 143 hp. Since 2013, optimized catalysts have been installed on FJR1300 motorcycles, due to which engine power has increased to 146 hp.

Motorcycle Yamaha FJR1300 2002

Motorcycle Yamaha FJR1300 2020

FZ1/FZ6/FZ8

The FZ line is a series of universal motorcycles from Yamaha. The FZ1/FZ6/FZ8 models are ideal for novice riders, forgiving them of inexperience and mistakes on the road. The brand's first naked FZ1 rolled off the manufacturer's assembly line back in 2001. Over the years of its presence on the market, the Japanese brand has released three generations of these bikes.

In 2004, Yamaha introduced the FZ6. The middle-weight sports bike was equipped with a 600 cm³ engine. In 2010, the FZ6 was replaced by the FZ8 road motorcycle model with a 779 cm³ engine and a power of 106 hp.

Motorcycle Yamaha FZ1 2008

Motorcycle Yamaha FZ6 2007

MT-01/03/07/09/10

A series of roadsters produced by the company «Yamaha» for the markets of Japan, India, USA, Europe and Australia. The first model MT-01 rolled off the manufacturer's assembly line back in 1999 and was presented at motorcycle racing. The MT-01 roadster was produced by the company until 2012.

Since 2004, 4 more motorcycle models have been added to the MT naked bike line:

MT-03 - in 2004;
MT-07 - in 2013;
MT-09 - in 2013;
MT-10 - in 2016.

The latest representative of the MT family has become a flagship motorcycle with a liter engine, which implements all modern motorcycle technologies.

Motorcycle Yamaha MT-07 2015

Motorcycle Yamaha MT-09 2014

TDM

The first TDM motorcycle was introduced by the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer back in 1992. 4 years later, in 1996, the company made significant upgrades to the city bike. Changes affected the engine, suspension, and design.

Thanks to modernization, the bike began to be considered one of the best for riding on city roads. Its key features were excellent handling and traction motor. And long-travel suspensions made it possible to ride comfortably on broken asphalt and smooth dirt roads.

The TDM bike also feels great on long trips. To cover long distances, there is a durable trunk and a comfortable seating position.

Motorcycle Yamaha TDM850 1998

Motorcycle Yamaha TDM900 2003

TT-R

TT-R – soft enduro model range. Company «Yamaha» has been producing this line of banks since 1993. Initially, motorcycles were sold only in the Japanese domestic market. But in 1994, the manufacturer released a modified model for export.

The key features of the soft enduro TT-R are:

Steel frame
Air cooled engine with 1 cylinder and 4 valves
Long travel suspensions
Disc brakes
6-speed gearbox

At the same time, the dry weight of the TT-R Yamaha motorcycle was 113 kg.

Motorcycle Yamaha TT-R110 2010

Motorcycle Yamaha TT-R250 1998

VMAX

VMAX is a series of power cruisers that the company first introduced back in 1985. The concept of the first bike combined the features of a cruiser, a powerful V-twin engine with 4 cylinders, and the style and ergonomics of a drag bike.

The first member of the VMAX family was equipped with a liquid-cooled engine. The engine was designed for 1198 cm³ and developed a power of 145 hp. Yamaha produced the first VMAX bikes until 2007, improving the prototype twice.

In 2005, the company introduced a new representative of the VMAX series. The new dragster received a liquid-cooled V-engine with a capacity of 1979 cm³ and a power of 200 hp.

Motorcycle Yamaha VMAX1200 2000

Motorcycle Yamaha VMAX1700 2009

WR

The WR model range was presented by the company «Yamaha» in 2009. The first to present the new line were two types of motorcycles:

WR125R enduro
WR125X motard

The common features of the models of the new Yamaha line are a steel duplex frame, a simple fork, spoked wheels, an injection power system, a 6-speed gearbox, and an 8.5-liter fuel tank.

Motorcycle Yamaha WR250R 2014

Motorcycle Yamaha WR250X 2008

XJR

XJR is a line of classic road markets. Yamaha introduced the first bike model back in 1993. Initially, the motorcycle was sold only in the Japanese domestic market and had fairly simple equipment. The XJR did not have any key differences or advantages over motorcycles from other Japanese manufacturers.

However, since 1994, the manufacturer has carried out several transformations of the primary version of the road motorcycle, improving its technical characteristics. Thanks to restyling, XJR bikes were successfully sold by the company «Yamaha» until 2009.

Motorcycle Yamaha XJR1300 2013

Motorcycle Yamaha XJR400 1998

XV

XV is a line of cruisers that was originally developed by the Yamaha brand for the European and US markets. The first XV model appeared in 1988. Three years later, in 1991, cruisers became available to motorcycle fans in Japan.

The XV series motorcycles were equipped with a V-shaped air-cooled engine with 2 cylinders. The engine capacity of the first representative of the line was 250 cm³. Power reached 23 hp. This is a fairly simple engine in its configuration with a carburetor power system.

Motorcycle Yamaha XV535 Virago 1989

Motorcycle Yamaha XV1100 Virago 1999

Motorcycle Yamaha XV950 Bolt 2018

Motorcycle Yamaha XV1900 2012

XVS

The XVS series of cruisers was introduced by the Yamaha brand back in 1996. The first models were positioned as successors to the company's other motorcycles — the Yamaha XV Virago 400. The distinctive features of the new family were the duplex frame and engine settings.

It was characterized by less power than its predecessor, but had a shifted torque characteristic. This was the reason for the development of power of 33 hp. Despite the fact that the XVS bikes did not have the highest technical characteristics, they were popular among Japanese motorcyclists and remain so to this day.

Motorcycle Yamaha XVS400 Drag Star 2007

Motorcycle Yamaha XVS1300 2012

YBR

YBR is a line of budget small-capacity motorcycles that have been produced by Yamaha since 2000. The series of bikes has several modifications. The specific equipment depended on the market to which Japanese motorcycles were exported.

In 2007, the model range is undergoing a major restyling. The changes mainly affected the appearance of YBR motorcycles. But the transformation also affected the food system. Instead of the usual carburetor, motorcycles after 2007 began to be equipped with injectors.

Motorcycle Yamaha YBR125 2021

Motorcycle Yamaha YBR250 2011

YZF-R

YZF-R is a line of sports motorcycles that have been produced by the Japanese brand from 1998 to the present day. Since its appearance on the market, the series has undergone two restylings. Despite the changes and modifications made, YZF-R bikes are still the optimal devices for both young beginners and experienced motorcyclists. Most of the bikes in this family were exported by Yamaha to the European market.

Motorcycle Yamaha YZF-R1 2023

Motorcycle Yamaha YZF-R3 2020

Motorcycle Yamaha YZF-R6 2018

Motorcycle Yamaha YZF-R7 2022

Models of Yamaha

Aprilia BMW Ducati Harley Honda Kawasaki Suzuki Triumph Yamaha