Yamaha Motorcycle History

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If you found this page because you would like to know more about Yamaha’s history, keep on reading!

Yamaha is one of the leading motorcycle brands in the bike world, they also produce marine products such as boats and other motorised machines. The company was created in 1955 upon the separation from Yamaha Corporation (although the Corporation is still the largest shareholder with around 12%). The first motorised bike was the YA-1 125cc aka “Red Dragonfly” it was so successful that they then created the Yamaha Motor Corp.

Yamaha History

In 1958 the first Yamaha was sold in the USA by Cooper Motors, the models are the YD-1 and MF-1. The next year the YDS-1 mounts a turned up version of the YD-1 motor in a double cradle frame. The YDS-1 sets the pace for the next 20 years of sporty two strokes for Yamaha.

The 60’s continued being exciting for Yamaha, obtaining its first World Championship in 1964 given by Phil Reads, in the 250cc class. They released a lot of great models in the upcoming years like the YDS-3 street bike in 1966, the TD1C 250cc the year after and then the DT-1 Enduro.

Yamaha has more wins in the 70’s with Kenny Roberts who took the AMA Grand National Championship in 73, racing a Shell Thuet-tuned on the dirt and a 350cc two-stroke on the road courses. This year also brings the release of RD350 middleweight sports bike, an air-cooled parallel twin two-stroke giving 35 hp. Yamaha also pioneers the very first single-shock production motocross bikes in 1975.

The 80’s kicked off with Yamaha’s first air-cooled V twin cruiser, the Virago 750. The V-Max 1200 was then introduced mid 80’s offering 145 hp. Setting new motorcycle standards.  Yamaha wins the 500cc World Championship with Eddie Lawson. He does so again in 1986 and 1988.

Straight into the 90s and Yamaha wins the 500cc World Championship with Wayne Rainey.  Then a year later Thomas Stevens became the only person to ever win the AMA Superbike Championship on a Yamaha.  Mid 90s Yamaha introduces its first Star model with the 13000cc V4 Royal Star, which was a great success. The YZ400F four-stroke motocross followed. This was the first mass produced 4 stroke motocrosser in 1998.

The company has adapted through the years, keeping up with the motorcycle market and introducing exciting bikes year after year.  In 2009 the Vmax is put out to pasture after an incredible 20 year run, and is replaced by the 1700cc V-4 engine apparently given 200 hp. In 2011 Yamaha branched out into a growing market of adventures, bringing in the Super Tenere tourer.

Yamaha had a big 2015 selling 2,075 units in March, this dropped slightly over the next few months into winter which was expected. March 2016 was another good month but was lacked compared to the previous year at 1,960 units, Yamaha are said to be confident in returning to these figures.

Would you like to sell your Yamaha?

Where can I value my bike? If you are wanting to sell your motorcycle we can help, We Buy Any Bike are well known and trusted motorcycle buyers or bike traders. We can give you a free online valuation, if you are happy with the quote we will collect your bike within 2 days and give cash in hand or a cheque, whichever you prefer.

Check out our Yamaha reviews on:

Yamaha YZFR125 review

Yamaha R6 review

Looking at our statistics, We Buy Any Bike have brought over 60 Yamahas per month for the last 2 years! Our figures show the Yamahas we buy most of are:

1. FZ 1 Fazer
2. FZ6 Fazer
3. YZF600 Thundercat
4. YZF R3
5. XT1200Z
6. Yamaha YBR125
7. Yamaha XV535
8. Yamaha Delight 125
9. XT1200Z
10. YZF R1

Top locations We Buy Any Bike have bought Yamahas from in the last 3 months are:

• • Sell your Yamaha in Kent? We Buy Any Bike bought 20 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Edinburgh? We Buy Any Bike bought 18 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Great London? We Buy Any Bike bought 26 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Surrey? We Buy Any Bike bought 18 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Devon? We Buy Any Bike bought 14 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Lincolnshire? We Buy Any Bike bought 16 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Yorkshire? We Buy Any Bike bought 16 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Aberdeen? We Buy Any Bike bought 26 in the last 3 months
  • Sell your Yamaha in Cheshire? We Buy Any Bike bought 21 in the last 3 months

We want your bike!

Sell your bike to WeBuyAnyBike.com and you can be sure of a quick hassle free service. Below is a list of all the Yamahas we buy. So before you check out eBay motors or MCN, try We Buy Any Bike first. We make it easy to easy a motorcycle online.

We Buy Any Bike, buying motorbikes 7 days a week!

Reviews

• Yamaha YZFR125 review
• Yamaha R6 review

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