I have a confession to make: I am an absolute Yamaha simp. No, really. I’ve owned three MT-07s, an MT-10, an XSR900, a Fazzio, and even a PG-1. And if Yamaha came out with a toaster that sounded like a crossplane R1, I’d probably buy that too.
But it doesn’t stop at motorcycles. I’m also a casual musician, and guess what? My instruments are all Yamahas, too. I have a Yamaha U3 upright piano, a Yamaha keyboard, a Yamaha acoustic guitar, and even a neon green Yamaha recorder that I used in my third-grade music class. I’ve been surrounded by Yamaha products practically my entire life, and honestly, they’ve never let me down.
There’s something about Yamaha that just clicks with me. The bikes have soul, and I don’t mean that in some vague marketing spiel kind of way. The engines feel alive, the handling is dialed in just right, and Yamaha always seems to nail that perfect balance between performance, personality, and reliability.
Sure, I get it. Some people swear by Honda’s bulletproof engineering, Suzuki’s raw, old-school feel, or Kawasaki’s obsession with outright power. But Yamaha? Yamaha is different. And I love the company for it.
And this year, Yamaha celebrates its 70th anniversary—seven decades of innovation, speed, and bikes that just make sense. So, let’s take a trip back in time and look at some of Yamaha’s biggest achievements. (And yes, I fully admit my bias here, but let’s pretend for a second that I’m being objective.)
Racing Pedigree That’s Second to None
Yamaha doesn’t just race, it wins. A lot. Whether it’s MotoGP, WSBK, motocross, or even rally raids, Yamaha has been a force to be reckoned with for decades. Names like Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Fabio Quartararo have cemented Yamaha’s place at the top of road racing, with the YZR-M1 becoming one of the most legendary race bikes in history.
But it’s not just about trophies. Yamaha has this knack for taking race technology and making it accessible to everyday riders. The R1, R6, and even the humble R3 all carry DNA from the track, giving riders a taste of what the pros experience. And let’s not forget how Yamaha revolutionized two-stroke GP racing in the ’70s and ’80s before becoming a dominant four-stroke powerhouse.
The Legendary Crossplane Engine
If Yamaha had a greatest hits album, the crossplane engine would be track one, side A.
First introduced in the 2009 YZF-R1, the crossplane inline-four engine completely changed how liter bikes delivered power. Instead of the usual scream, Yamaha’s crossplane sounded like a V4 on steroids, with smooth torque delivery, ridiculous grip, and a raw, guttural sound that makes grown men weak in the knees.
But Yamaha didn’t stop there. They took that crossplane philosophy and applied it to the CP3 triple in the XSR900 and MT-09, and the CP2 parallel twin in the MT-07, R7, and Tenere 700. These engines have character in spades—torquey, playful, and endlessly entertaining. Seriously, if you’ve ever cracked open the throttle on an MT-07, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Off-Road Domination
Yamaha isn’t just about street bikes. Their off-road legacy is just as strong, if not stronger. The DT-1, launched in 1968, practically invented the modern dual-sport category. Fast-forward to today, and Yamaha is still killing it with bikes like the Tenere 700, YZ motocross lineup, and WR enduro machines
And then there’s rally racing. The Tenere name is legendary in the Dakar Rally, a grueling event that separates real adventure bikes from glorified touring rigs. Yamaha’s ability to build dirt bikes that are both durable and fast has made them a staple in everything from motocross to hard enduro.
Want a bike that can take a beating and still beg for more? Yamaha has you covered.
The Maxi-Scooter Revolution
Here’s the thing: scooters are cool. And Yamaha was ahead of the curve when it launched the TMAX in 2001, essentially inventing the sport scooter segment. Who knew that scooters could be fast, fun, and actually handle like motorcycles?
Today, the XMAX, TMAX, and NMAX continue to be some of the best-selling scooters in the world. They’re quick, practical, and have a surprising amount of personality. I daily a Fazzio, and I swear, it’s just as much fun as my bigger bikes, just in a different way.
If you think scooters are boring, ride a TMAX and get back to me. It might just change the way you think about scooters.
Future-Forward Thinking
Yamaha isn’t just resting on its past successes. The company is actively working on electrification, hybrid motorcycles, and even hydrogen powertrains. The E01 electric scooter is just the beginning, and Yamaha is also developing hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines, which could be a game-changer if they pull it off—think internal combustion’s ticket to the future.
They’ve also been working with other brands (like Toyota) on EV motor tech, and knowing Yamaha, they’re not just going to slap a battery on a frame and call it a day. If there’s an exciting future in motorcycling, Yamaha is going to be right there, leading the charge—literally.
Look, I know everyone has their brand loyalties, and I respect that. But there’s a reason I keep coming back to Yamaha time and time again. Their bikes are exciting, well-engineered, and never feel like soulless machines. They know how to balance fun, performance, and reliability, and that’s a rare combination in the motorcycle world.
Whether it’s on the racetrack, in the dirt, or in the ever-evolving landscape of electric mobility, Yamaha just gets it. And as long as they keep making bikes that make me grin like an idiot every time I ride, I’ll be a Yamaha guy for life. Now, where do I sign up for that R1-inspired toaster?
Source: Yamaha Motor
