| Year |
Yamaha Motor Origin |
1955
|
 The
first Yamaha motorized product was the YA-1
Motorcycle (125cc, 2-stroke, single cylinder,
streetbike). It was produced and sold in Japan. |
| Year |
USA
History |
| 1958 |
The first Yamaha
Motorcycles sold in the USA were by Cooper Motors, an
independent distributor. The models were the YD1
(250cc, 2-stroke, twin cylinder, streetbike) and MF-1
(50cc, 2-stroke, single cylinder, streetbike, step-through). |
| 1960 |
Yamaha International Corporation
began selling motorcycles in the USA. |
 |
1964
|
"Autolube"
oil injection system for 2-stroke engines was first offered
on the YA-6 motorcycle (125cc, 2-stroke, single cylinder,
streetbike). |
|
1968
|
The DT-1 Enduro was introduced.
The world's first dual purpose motorcycle which had
on & off-road capability. Its impact on Motorcycling
in the USA was enormous.
Yamaha's first Snowmobile, the SL350 (2-stroke,
twin cylinder) was introduced. This was the first Snowmobile
with slide valve carburetors.
|
1970
|
Yamaha’s first 4-stroke
motorcycle model, the XS-1
(650cc vertical twin) was introduced. |
|
1971
|
The SR433 high performance
Snowmobile was introduced. |
| 1973 |
Yamaha continued
expansion into new markets by introducing Generators (ET1200). |
1975
|
Yamaha
pioneered the very first single-shock, production motocross
bikes. This was the beginning of the YZ Monocross machines
that changed motocross forever. |
| 1976 |
The
legendary SRX440 snowmobile hits the market and quickly
catapults Yamaha to the forefront of the snowmobile racing
scene. |
1977
|
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, was founded in order
to better appeal to the American market and establish
a separate identity (from music & electronics)
for Yamaha motorized products.
|
|
1978
|
 The
XS1100 motorcycle (four cylinder, shaft drive) was introduced.
XS650 Special was introduced.
This was the first production Cruiser built by a Japanese
manufacturer.
Golf Cars were introduced in the USA with
the G1 gas model.
|
|
1979
|
YICS (Yamaha Induction Control
System), a fuel-saving engine system, was developed for
4-stroke engines. |
|
1980
|
The new Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, corporate office
was opened in Cypress, California.
The first 3-wheel ATV was sold in USA…
the Tri-Moto (YT125).
The G1-E electric powered Golf Car model
was introduced.
|
|
1981
|
The first air-cooled, V-twin
cruiser, the Virago 750,
was introduced. |
|
1984
|
The first production 5-valve per cylinder engine was
introduced on the FZ750 motorcycle.
Yamaha’s first 4-wheel ATV, the YFM200, was introduced
in the USA.
The Phazer snowmobile was introduced. Known for its
light weight and agile handling.
Yamaha
begins marketing Outboard Motors in the USA.
|
|
1985
|
The V-Max
1200 musclebike hits the streets. |
|
1986
|
Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation
of America was founded in Newnan, Georgia. |
|
1987
|
A new exhaust system for 4-stroke engines, “EXUP,”
was developed to provide higher horsepower output throughout
an engine's powerband.
Yamaha introduces personal watercraft...the
sit-down WaveRunner and the stand-up WaveJammer.
Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Company begins
Golf Car and Water Vehicle production for USA and overseas
markets.
|
|
1992
|
The Vmax-4 Snowmobile (2-stroke,
four cylinder) was introduced. |
|
1994
|
Yamaha expands its product offerings
by acquiring the Cobia boat company. |
|
1995
|
The Century and Skeeter boat
companies are acquired by Yamaha. |
|
1996
|
Yamaha introduces its first Star
model with the 1300cc, V4 Royal Star.
Tennessee Watercraft produces Sport Boats and later,
the SUV WaveRunner.
|
|
1997
|
Yamaha acquires the G3 boat company.
At the Newnan, Georgia, manufacturing facility,
the first ATV (the BearTracker) rolls off the assembly
line.
Yamaha opens southeastern offices in Kennesaw,
Georgia.
|
|
1998
|
The YZ400F four-stroke
motocross bike was introduced. This was the first mass
produced 4-stroke motocrosser.
The YZF-R1 sport
bike was introduced. It set the standard for open class
sport bikes for several years.
The Grizzly 600 4x4 ATV with Ultramatic transmission
was introduced.
The EF2800i
generator with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) was introduced.
PMW allows use with equipment that requires stable frequency
and voltage.
|
|
2002
|
 The
F225 Outboard was introduced. It was the largest 4-stroke
Outboard at the time.
The FX140 WaveRunner (1000cc, 4-stroke, four
cylinder) was introduced. The world's first high performance
4-stroke personal watercraft.
|
|
2003
|
The RX-1
Snowmbile (1000cc, 4-stroke, four cylinder) was
introduced. The world's first high performance 4-stroke
Snowmobile. |