Yamaha introduces the now iconic Yamalube brand of oils and lubricants. The Yamalube commitment to high quality and performance is now recognized around the world.
Yamaha's first Snowmobile, the SL 2-stroke, twin cylinder , is introduced. This was the first snowmobile with slide-valve carburetors.
The DT-1 Enduro is introduced. Its impact on Motorcycling in the USA was enormous. Production of XS models would continue through the model year, and the bike is favored today by customizers. Yamaha pioneers the very first single-shock, production motocross bikes. This was the beginning of the YZ Monocross machines that changed motocross forever.
The legendary SRX snowmobile hits the market and quickly catapults Yamaha to the forefront of the snowmobile racing scene. Yamaha Motor Corporation, U. XS Special is introduced. This was the first production Cruiser built by a Japanese manufacturer. Kenny Roberts became the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship, aboard his iconic yellow-and-black cc Yamaha. The Phazer snowmobile is introduced. Innovative design, light in weight and nimble handling character made this model one of the most popular for several years.
The V-Max musclebike hits the streets. The venerable TW is introduced. More trivia? The Banshee ATV is introduced. Featuring the 2-cylinder, 2-stroke engine originally from the RZ street bike, there was nothing like it on the dunes.
The SuperJet stand-up WaveRunner is introduced, one of the most successful stand-up personal watercraft ever made. Although not distributed in the U.
The GTS Motorcycle is introduced. It features ahead-of-its-time forkless front suspension, plus fuel injection, a catalytic converter, and ABS. The YZF-R1 sportbike is introduced. The motorcycle division of Yamaha was founded in , Genichi Kawakami being the first president of the newly-founded department. During the same year, Yamaha launched its first motorcycle, the YA-1, which was equipped with a cc engine. What's interesting is that Yamaha proved that its bikes are capable of providing very high performance just from its early days as the YA-1 won the cc class of the Mount Fuji Ascent race just after it was released.
In case you still doubt that YA-1 was a major success for Yamaha, find out that the motorcycle continued its winning series in when it was often placed on the leading positions in the Mount Fuji Ascent Race. Two years later, Yamaha entered the Catalina Grand Prix in the United States, an event which marked the debut of the company in the international racing events.
The Yamaha motorcycle was placed on the 6th position. The time passed by and Yamaha grew up a lot so in the Japanese company introduced its first outboard engine dubbed P YA-1 test ride — Genichi Kawakami on inspection of the Asama course. With confidence in the new direction that Genichi was taking, Yamaha Motor Co.
Staffed by enthusiastic employees, the new motorcycle manufacturer built about units per month. Just a few days after its foundation, Yamaha entered its new YA-1 in the two biggest race events in Japan. They were the 3rd Mt. In these debut races Yamaha won the cc class. By , a second model was ready for production.
This was the YC1, a cc single cylinder two-stroke. In Yamaha began production of its first cc, two-stroke twin, the YD1. Based on Genichi's firm belief that a product isn't a product until it can hold its own around the world , in Yamaha became the first Japanese maker to venture into the international race arena. News of this achievement won immediate recognition for the high level of Yamaha technology not only in Japan but among American race fans, as well.
This was only the start, however. Yamaha took quick action using the momentum gained in the USA and began marketing their motorcycles through an independent distributor in California. In , Cooper Motors began selling the YD-1 and the MF-1 50cc, two-stroke, single cylinder, step through street bike. With the overseas experiences under his belt, in , Genichi then turned his attention to the Marine industry and the production of the first Yamaha boats and outboard motors.
This was the beginning of an aggressive expansion into new fields utilizing the new engines and FRP fiberglass reinforced plastic technologies. In , Yamaha demonstrated its focus on cutting-edge, technological innovations by developing the Autolube System.
This landmark solution was a separate oil injection system for two-stroke models, eliminating the inconvenience of pre-mixing fuel and oil. Yamaha was building a strong reputation as a superior manufacturer which was reflected in its first project carried out in the new Iwata, Japan Plant, built in The YMC headquarters was moved to Iwata in Toyota and Yamaha teamed up to produce the highly regarded Toyota GT sports car.
This very limited edition vehicle, still admired for its performance and craftsmanship, created a sensation among enthusiasts in Japan and abroad. Genichi said, "I believe that the most important thing when building a product is to always keep in mind the standpoint of the people who will use it.
Overseas motorcycle manufacturing was established in Thailand and Mexico. In , the globalization continued with Brazil and the Netherlands. Yamaha continues that tradition, today.
0コメント