Yamaha is a Japanese motor company that manufactures motorcycles, and utility vehicles, marine products. The company was established in 1955 and has its headquarters in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan.
Yamaha's first motorcycle was the YA-1, which was released in 1955. The YA-1 was a 125cc two-stroke street bike that was very successful in racing. In fact, the YA-1 won the inaugural Mount Fuji Ascent Race in 1955.
Yamaha quickly followed the YA-1 with a number of other successful two-stroke models, such as the 125cc DT-1 enduro bike and the 250cc TZR racing bike.
In the 1970s, Yamaha began producing four-stroke bikes, starting with the XS-1, a 650cc street bike. This was followed by the XT500, a very popular off-road bike. Yamaha also produced a number of successful racing bikes in the 1970s, such as the TZ750, which won the Daytona 200 in 1974.
In the 1980s, Yamaha expanded its product range to include ATVs, snowmobiles, and watercraft. The company also produced a number of iconic motorcycles, such as the FZR1000, the world's first fuel-injected motorcycle.
Today, Yamaha continues to produce a wide range of powersport vehicles. The company remains a major player in the motorsports world, and its bikes have won numerous races, including the MotoGP World Championship.
So the question of which is the best Yamaha motorcycle is somewhat loaded. The company has released so many stellar bikes in all different segments, that choosing one that is the ‘best’ is impossible. But if you’re brand loyal to Yamaha and looking for your next purchase, we’ve developed a list featuring some of the most popular Yamaha motorcycles for your viewing pleasure.
