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The History of Yamaha Motor Corporation

The Yamaha Motor Corporation dates back to 1953 when its first president, Genichi Kawakami decided that he would like to manufacture motorcycle engines. Genichi Kawakami was the eldest son of Kaichi Kawakami, who was the third-generation president of the early Yamaha Corporation, which was known as Nippon Gakki at the time. Genichi Kawakami became the fourth-generation president in 1950.

He began to look for ways to utilise all of the company’s machinery, especially that which was sitting idly in factories now that the need for aircraft propellers had dissipated. He did his research and came up with several ideas, only to toss them away in favor of motorbikes. He had teams of employees travel with him to explore both Europe and the United States in search of the best techniques to employ in the production of motorbikes. His motto was to make the very best there is.

In 1954, the YA-1 Motorcycle was the first motorized product produced by Yamaha. Its manufacture began in 1955. The YA-1 was a streetbike with 125cc. It had a 2-stroke single cylinder. It was manufactured in Japan at the Hamakita Factory of Nippon Gakki. Testing on the product was extensive and soon became a tradition with this company determined to manufacture only the best and highest quality of bike.

The Yamaha Motor CO., Ltd. complete with 274 employees was formally created on July 1, 1955. The average number of units produced per month was 200 bikes. This is the year that Yamaha began racing in Japan as well. The YC1 appeared in 1956. It was a 175cc single cylinder two-stroke bike.

He took a 6th place win at the Catalina Grand Prix in the USA. Using the win as the impetus that it was, Genichi Kawakami began to sell his motorcycles in the USA in California.

During 1958, Yamaha also began to race internationally. It was Genichi Kawakami’s belief that his products would have to impress the world in order for them to gain status as a worthy product. He took a 6th place win at the Catalina Grand Prix in the USA.

Using the win as the impetus that it was, Genichi Kawakami began to sell his motorcycles in the USA in California. An independent distributor by the name of Cooper Motors began to sell two different models, the YD1 and the MF1. The YD1 was a 250cc, 2-stroke, twin cylinder streetbike. The MF1 was a 50cc, 2-stroke, single cylinder streetbike.

In 1960, the Yamaha International Corporation came to America’s dealers for the first time and began to sell its motorcycles through them. Continuing his desire to expand, Genichi Kawakami began to manufacture outboard motors and Yamaha boats. FRP technologies or fiberglass reinforced plastic technologies were new, but the boat market was the perfect place to utilise them. His initial motor craft was the CAR-21.

The autolube system developed by Yamaha came out in 1963. It offered a separate oil injection system for two-stroke models. Yamaha’s reputation continued to grow and in 1966, the company joined with Toyota to produce the Toyota 2000 GT sports car, which was welcomed by car enthusiasts all over.

By 1968, Yamaha had grown considerably and continued in its beliefs that a successful company brings innovative ideas to the market on a continual basis. It introduced the first dual purpose motorcycle with off-road capability in that year. This bike was introduced as the DT 1 Enduro. Its impact in the United States motorcycle industry was huge.

During the same year, Yamaha introduced its very first snowmobile. This snowmobile was the first one to be manufactured with slide valve carburetors. It was known as the SL350 and it was a 2-stroke, twin cylinder.

In 1970, the XS-1, Yamaha’s first 4-stroke motorcycle was introduced to the world. It was a 650cc vertical twin. In 1971, another snowmobile was manufactured. This snowmobile, the SR433, was a high performance model.

Yamaha continues to expand and grow. In 1973, the company introduces generators beginning with the ET1200. Then, in 1975, Yamaha gave the world its very first single-shock, production motocross bike. This revolutionary bike was the first in a series, the YZ Monocross.

Yamaha experiences some success in snowmobile races with its celebrated SRX440 snowmobile in 1976. It was at this time that Yamaha came to the decision to form a separate company just for its motorized products. Its electronics and music-related products would remain with the original company. The goal of the new company founded in 1977, the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA was to attract American buyers to its line of motorbikes and snowmobiles.

The first production Cruiser manufactured by a Japanese company came out in 1978. This is when Yamaha introduced the XS650. It also introduced a four-cylinder shaft drive motorcycle, the XS1100, as well. Their golf carts were also introduced in the United States at this time with Yamaha’s first model, the G1, which was a gas-powered model.

Yamaha introduced a fuel-saving engine system in 1979. Known as the YICS or Yamaha Induction Control System, it was designed for use with 4-stroke engines. The following year, the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA opened a corporate office in the city of Cypress, California. It was at this time that an electric-powered golf car model, the G1-E was introduced as well. Plus, the Tri-Moto or YT125 was sold in the United States. It was a 3-wheel ATV. The year 1981 brought out the Virago 750, a V-twin cruiser that was an air-cooled model.

A few years later, in 1984, Yamaha’s first 4-wheel ATV was introduced to the American market. It was the YFM200. During this same year, Yamaha presented the Phazer snowmobile, a model that became known for its agile handling capacity and lightweight. The FZ750 motorcycle was manufactured with a 5-valve per cylinder engine during this year as well. Outboard motors are also introduced by Yamaha in the United States at this time.

In 1985, Yamaha introduces the world to the V-Max musclebike. The Yamaha Manufacturing Corporation of America comes into being in 1986 and sets up shop in Newnan, Georgia.

Personal watercraft becomes part of Yamaha’s domain and both the sit-down WaveRunner and the stand-up WaveJammer are introduced in 1987. The Yamaha Manufacturing Corporation of America picks up the reins for the production of water vehicles and golf cars for sales in the United States and the overseas market. The company also developed and produced a new exhaust system for 4-stroke engines in an effort to channel higher horsepower output. It was known as the EXUP.

A 2-stroke, 4 cylinder snowmobile was produced in 1992. It went by the name of the Vmax-4 Snowmobile. In 1994, Yamaha expands its watercraft holdings by acquiring the Cobia boat company. The company continues with this trend and purchases two more boat companies in 1995, the Skeeter boat company and the Century boat company.

In 1996, Yamaha presents the fist of its Star model series, the 4V Royal Star with 1300cc. Tennessee Watercraft joins Yamaha and begins to produce sports boats. In 1997, Yamaha acquires yet another boat company. This time it obtains the G3 boat company. The Newnan manufacturing facility in Georgia produces its very first ARV, known as the BearTracker. Yamaha moves to the southeast in Georgia and opens offices in Kennesaw.

The year 1998 brings some firsts for Yamaha. The Grizzly 600 4x4 ATV is produced with ultramatic transmission. A bike that led the way for open class sport bikes was introduced during this time as well. It was the YZF-R1 sport bike. Plus, the first 4-stroke motocrosser to be mass-produced entered the market. It was the YZ400F. On the generator forefront, the EF2800i generator was presented along with pulse width modulation, which offered stability for both voltage and frequency.

The largest 4-stroke outboard (F225) of the time was introduced in 2002. Plus, the first high performance 4-stroke personal watercraft to be designed was also introduced in 2002. It had 1000cc and four cylinders. It was known as the FX140 WaveRunner. Sadly, Genichi Kawakami also died during 2002.

In 2003, the first high performance 4-stroke snowmobile is introduced to the world. The RX-1 Snowmobile has 4 cylinders and 1000cc. In 2004, the Rhino Side x Side off-road vehicle is manufactured. It featured terrainability, quality performance, and great utility capacity.

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