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Yamaha Motor company history timeline

1955

Then, in January of 1955 the Hamakita Factory of Nippon Gakki was built and production began on the YA-1.

Yamaha Motor is Born When Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. was established in Japan in July 1955, it was a relative latecomer in a market where as many as 150 motorcycle manufacturers competed for survival.

With confidence in the new direction that Genichi was taking, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. was founded on July 1, 1955.

The first Yamaha motorcycle, the YA-1, was released in 1955 under the newly formed branch of the company called Yamaha Motor Company.

It was an immediate success, winning the 125cc class at the Mount Fuji Ascent race in 1955.

1957

First Class Charles Butler of the US Army and brought to this country after his tour of duty in October 1957.

After the initial YA-1 success, Yamaha released the YA-2 in 1957, which improved on the YA-1 frame and suspension.

In 1957 Yamaha began production of its first 250cc, two-stroke twin, the YD1.

1958

1958 YD-2Yamaha began offering an electric start motorcycle with the YD-2.

This was only the start, however. Based on Genichi's firm belief that a product isn't a product until it can hold it's own around the world, in 1958 Yamaha became the first Japanese maker to venture into the international race arena.

1959

1959 YDS-1The 250cc, 2-stroke, twin cylinder, twin carb, streetbike had a reputation for blowing away 650cc vertical twins during this time.

1960

1960: Yamaha, now an international corporation, begins selling motorcycles in the USA.

With the overseas experiences under his belt, in 1960, Genichi then turned his attention to the Marine industry and the production of the first Yamaha boats and outboard motors.

1963

In 1963, Yamaha demonstrated its focus on cutting-edge, technological innovations by developing the Autolube System.

1968

1968: The world's first dual-sport motorcycle, the DT-1 Enduro, was introduced.

In the early years, Yamaha had focused all of their attention on two-stroke engine designs, but in 1968, they released their first four-stroke design with the XS-1.

1970

1970: The company introduces the 650cc vertical twin XS-1.

1972

1972 DT2-MX1972 marked the year when Yamaha first produced engines with reed valves, called Torque Induction.

1973

1973: Yamaha begins testing new markets with their newly-introduced ET1200 Generators.

1973 TX-500Yamaha broke into new territory by creating a 4-valve per cylinder engine in a production streetbike with the 500cc, 4-stroke, twin cylinder TX500.

1974

1974 TZ700In '74, Yamaha came out with its first-born 2-stroke, four-cylinder production road racer.

1975

1975 YZ250: Yamaha created the first single-shock production motocross bike with the YZ250, helping to change the motocross industry moving forward.

1977

1977: To appeal to their American market for motorized products, the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, was founded as a separate identity from music and electronics.

1978

1978: The four-cylinder, shaft drive XS1100 motorcycle and the XS650 Special, the first Yamaha production cruiser, were introduced.

1978 650 SpecialThe beginning year for "Yamaha Specials." The 650 Special was the pioneer of production Cruisers built by Japanese manufacturers.

1979

1979: The fuel-saving engine system, YICS (Yamaha Induction Control System), was developed for 4-stroke engines.

1980

1980: Yamaha opens a corporate office in Cypress, California, and the first 3-wheeled ATV, the YT125, was sold in America.

1980 Maxim 650: A high-performance cruiser, the Maxim 650 had a four-cylinder shaft drive.

He saw the new corporate headquarters in Cypress, California and the 25th Anniversary of Yamaha become a reality in 1980.

1980 Maxim 650Introduced in 1980, the Maxim 650 was a 4-cylinder, shaft drive that became extremely popular.

1981

1981 Virago 750The first Yamaha V-Twin model.

1981 PW50The beginning of a long history of young rider excitement.

1982

He also watched bike #20 million roll off the assembly line in 1982.

1983

1983: Yamaha releases their FJ1100 to the sports bike market.

1983 Venture RoyaleWhen Yamaha created the Venture Touring Bike, it went all the way.

1984

1984: The FZ750 motorcycle debuted the first production 5-valve per cylinder engine.

1984 RZ350: Yamaha introduced its final street-legal two-stroke motorcycle.

1985

1985: Yamaha releases their V-Max 1200 musclebike.

1985 FZ750: The FZ750 featured the first use of Yamaha’s five-valve Genesis technology and lay-down cylinder configuration.

1985 FZ750Yamaha introduces more performance innovation with a five valve per cylinder engine in a production motorcycle.

1987

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) is proud to have developed a relationship with Yamaha that led to the formation of the YamaPro® program in 1987.

1987 FZR1000: The FZR1000 was the first model to utilize the company’s aluminum Deltabox frame.

1989

1989 FZR600In its first year, the FZR600 dominated the 600 Supersport class at Daytona to establish itself as the Class Leader during this time.

1990

Cruisers The New VMAX V Star 1300 Road Star Warrior VMAX: Category of its own 20 Years: Milestones of Yamaha Customs 1990's: When custom became fashion

1992

1992 FJ1200 ABSYamaha introduces this street model with ABS.

1993

1993 GTSThe first fuel injected Yamaha motorcycle model.

1996

1996: The First Yamaha Star Cruiser was introduced with the 1300cc V4 Royal Star.

1998

1998 YZF-R1: The R1 was the first of Yamaha’s R-series bikes, setting the stage for the modern era of the brand’s sport bikes.

1998 will be remembered by motorcyclists for many years to come, because it was the year that Yamaha launched the YZF-R1, widely acclaimed as the most remarkable supersport model of the decade.

1998 V Star ClassicYamaha begins offering a Star middleweight model.

1999

1999 YZF-R6The newborn little brother to the R1, Yamaha introduces the R6.

1999 Road StarIntroducing the Road Star.

2000

2000: Yamaha debuts the first ATV with camouflaged bodywork: The Buckmaster® Edition Big Bear 400 4x4.

2001

2001 YZ250F: Yamaha produced the first four-stroke, 250cc motocross bike.

2001 YZ250FContinuing the Yamaha reputation for innovation, the world gets its first 250cc 4-stroke production MX Bike ever.

2002

Genichi passed away on May 25, 2002 yet his vision lives on through the people and products of Yamaha, throughout the world.

2005

2005: Yamaha captures the MotoGP triple crown.

In 2005, the MT-01 was introduced.

2006

2006 YZF-R6The YZF-R6 becomes the first production motorcycle to use a “fly-by-wire” throttle control system rather than traditional cables: Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T).

2007

2007 YZF-R1Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I), the first ever electronic variable intake system on a production motorcycle, is introduced on the YZF-R1 to achieve the broadest possible powerband.

2008

2008: For the second time, Yamaha wins the MotoGP triple crown.

2010

2010: Yamaha wins the MotoGP triple crown for the third consecutive year.

YZ250F for 2010: Refined race machine

2013

2013 Bolt: The Bolt was introduced as a cruiser and lightweight motorcycle optimized for speed and handling.

Yamaha announces that the majority of Yamaha’s ATV manufacturing worldwide will be moving to the United States by 2013.

2018

2018: The Yamaha Star Venture, a top-of-the-line transcontinental V-twin tourer is released.

2019

Of those 2019 graduates who took electives, approximately 20% found racing-related opportunities.

2020

However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $16.97 and $14.24, respectively. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020.

2021

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, viewed June 2, 2021.)

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Yamaha Motor history FAQs

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Yamaha Motor may also be known as or be related to Yamaha Motor, Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA and Yamaha Motor Corporation, Usa.