Yamaha makes some of the most incredible motorcycles in the world, providing many riders with the fun and excitement they want on the road.
Yamaha began building motorcycles after World War II, but the company made its name in an entirely different industry. This brand began in the late 1800s, making some of the most sought-after reed organs and pianos. This is the largest maker of musical instruments in the world today, which might be why the motorcycles are such a wonderful symphony of power, speed, and performance.
Here are some of the best Yamaha motorcycles ever made.
1955 Yamaha YA-1
The first motorcycle from this brand might not be at the top of many lists, but when that first one is a success, a brand can expand and build more. The YA-1 brought a two-stroke engine to the market, and it was an instant success in the Japanese market. It became a successful racing bike that helped the brand gain traction in the market. The YA-1 was fast and reliable, making it a quality bike that many riders enjoyed.
1975 Yamaha XT500
The XT500 is one of the most interesting Yamaha motorcycles ever built. This bike was made to handle riding both street and off-road, making it an excellent Enduro-style bike. This bike made 32 horsepower and was the bike that won the 1977 Luxembourg Grand Prix and would eventually also win the Dakar race. The XT500 was good on the road and on the trails, but it wasn’t excellent at either. Still, this bike worked for many riders who wanted a great Enduro bike that could make it fun to go wherever they wanted to with this bike.
1978 Yamaha XS-Eleven
The first time Yamaha used a four-cylinder engine was in the XS-Eleven. This was the largest displacement Japanese motorcycle offered at the time, making it a big bike with impressive power. The engine’s power was excellent, but the chassis wasn’t exactly what some riders wanted. This big bike was considered a touring bike, but it still found a way to win some endurance races when facing Honda and Suzuki bikes during these races in Australia.
1984 Yamaha RD500LC YPVS
Riders looking for a Grand Prix motorcycle that was made for the road could find it in this Yamaha motorcycle. It wasn’t common practice to build road versions of these bikes, but Yamaha did it with the RDC500LC YPVS. This motorcycle uses a 500cc V-4 two-stroke engine that produces 88 horsepower and weighs in at 436 pounds. This bike prompted other manufacturers to build road versions of their Grand Prix motorcycles, which gave us the Suzuki RG500 Gamma and the Honda NSR400. The RD400LC was the original bike that transitioned from the track to the road.
1985 Yamaha V-Max
The V-Max was one of the most powerful bikes, offering impressive straight-line speed and excellent cornering. This is one of the most popular Yamaha motorcycles ever made because it is big and powerful. The V-Max produced 145 horsepower from an 1197-cc engine. This gave the bike an incredible top speed of 149 mph, which riders were happy to enjoy. This impressive motorcycle lasted until 2019, and the engine grew to 1,679cc and 173 horsepower during that time.
1985 Yamaha RX100
The RX100 doesn’t look like much, but when you want a small bike with excellent reliability scores, this is the motorcycle to ride. It only produces a little more than 11 horsepower, but it has an impressive build that makes it easy to love because it will get you where you want to go. The RX100 is known for being extremely affordable to own and ride, making it a great choice for small riders who want a little bike that will get them around town. Of course, if you abuse it, like anything else, it won’t last long.
2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec
The Bolt R-Spec is a great choice for riders looking for a bike with an old-school look but with modern technology. This bike has a V-twin engine that produces 65 horsepower, which is more than enough for most riders. This could be one of the best Yamaha motorcycles ever made, mostly because of the widespread appeal it can bring to your time on the road. In addition to being a great-looking bike with good power, this motorcycle is relatively affordable.
These are just a few of the top choices when you think of Yamaha motorcycles and what’s been offered by this brand over the years.
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