The Japanese Big Four: Yamaha

In a previous article, we made a brief introduction to Japan as the birthplace of the Big Four , the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers that shaped the history and development of motorcycling worldwide. Now we will explore some facts and curiosities about these companies, whose technological impact on the two-wheel sector has been truly unprecedented. Today, we focus on Yamaha.

Behind each of these brands stands a founder, a visionary character whose persistence carved out the future of what are now global corporations. Yamaha’s origin is one of the most unique stories in the industry.

In the beginning, Torakusu Yamaha (1851–1916), founder of the brand, was a renowned craftsman and builder of musical instruments (pianos and shamisens ). This musical heritage is reflected in the tuning forks of the Yamaha logo. His mastery in working with wood also made him a specialist in crafting aircraft propellers for wartime aviation.

Genichi Kawakami served as president of Yamaha Corporation from 1950 to 1977, and again from 1980 to 1983, and is widely credited with Yamaha’s international success.

Yamaha’s first motorcycle was born in the Nippon Gakki factory (today Yamaha Corporation). The metal machining facilities originally used to manufacture aviation propellers were repurposed to build motorcycles, resulting in the legendary Yamaha YA-1 .

It stood out from competitors, who almost exclusively painted their products black, by introducing a two-tone finish in cream and reddish-brown. This gave the YA-1 its nickname: Aka-tombo (“red dragonfly”).

Yamaha’s deep connection to racing — especially in speed categories — has produced legendary names such as Giacomo Agostini, Johnny Cecotto, Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey, Randy Mamola, Jorge Lorenzo, and Valentino Rossi.

In 1979, Cyril Neveu won the very first edition of the Paris-Dakar Rally riding a Yamaha XT500 .

But the most iconic Dakar competitor linked to Yamaha is Stéphane Peterhansel , winner six times aboard the Yamaha YZE750T.

In 1973, Yamaha launched the RD 350, the first street motorcycle to feature a reed-valve intake system. Just one year later, Yamaha revolutionized motocross by implementing a single rear shock absorber — the beginning of the famous monoshock system .

In 1983 came the birth of the XT600 Ténéré, a modified version of the XT600 off-road production model. It quickly became the natural choice for many Paris-Dakar riders. In a short time, 61,000 units were sold, allowing countless enthusiasts to dream of Dakar-style adventure.

One year later, in 1984, Yamaha presented the FZ 750 at the IFMA show. It became the first motorcycle to feature a five-valves-per-cylinder engine producing over 100 horsepower.

In 1995, Yamaha launched the Majesty 250, the scooter that sparked the unprecedented boom of the “maxi-scooter.” Its high build quality and riding comfort made it the leader of the large scooter segment.

The TMAX took the market by storm in 2001. A revolutionary scooter equipped with a 500cc twin-cylinder engine, it offered motorcycle-like handling and performance.

Yamaha’s commitment to innovation was further proven in 2018 with the release of the world’s first leaning three-wheel motorcycle, the futuristic NIKEN. Its premium specifications and unique design opened a new dimension of stability and riding control.

If you’d like to learn more, explore Yamaha’s latest products, or follow their current news, you can visit their official website here: Yamaha Motor Europe .