Yamaha motorcycles

The Yamaha brand gets its name from the founder of the firm, Torakusu Yamaha, born in Nagasaki in 1851. Its first product was an organ. But, unfortunately, this organ needed to be certified by the Tokio Institute of the Arts which was located 320 kilometers from the organ and, because of the distance, the organ became out of tune and did not receive the certification.

In 1887, it associated with Hawaii and created the Nippon Gakki, a company that, years later, was well-known for their organs, harmonicas and pianos.

In 1916, the founder of the brand died prematurely and the firm was purchased by Kawakami. During the war years, production of musical instruments was deferred a bit to make provisions for the army. In 1950, Kawakami passed the company down to his son.

It is thanks to Kawakami's son, Genichi, that Yamaha produce its first motorcycle. He had the intention of diversifying the firm's production and saw the need for means of transportation after the war. So, in 1955, the first motorcycle with the name Yamaha was created: The YA-1. A bike with 125cc, which was inspired by the famous DKW RT 125.

In 1957, with the company's growth in capital, they manufactured two new motorcycles: the YC-1 175cc and 250cc. They also made a third version of the YA, the YA-3 - a more aesthetically evolved and more powerful 250cc version.

In 1959, the Japanese style department GK Design collaborated for the first time with Yamaha. The result was the YDS-1. This model was accepted immediately because the aesthetic change in Yamaha's style was spectacular and very successful. In terms of the engine, the YDS-1 was a twin-cylinder with 246cc of power and 20 horsepower. In '62, the YDS-2 was made and in '64, the YDS-3. The versions of this bike went all the way to the YDS-7.

The first Yamaha brand scooter was made in 1960. The model was called the Yamaha SC-1. Another notable date for Yamaha was the 7th of July of 1963 when Fumio Ito first won a Grand Prix race with a Yamaha motorcycle. It was in 1964 when Yamaha first won in a Grand Prix championship. The driver was Phil Read in a 250cc displacement bike. This was also the first time that a Japanese motorcycle had won a world championship.

Yamaha motorcycles 2