Manufacturer | Yamaha Motor Company |
---|---|
Production | 1957–1958 |
Successor | Yamaha RD48 |
Class | Race Bike |
Engine | 247cc two-stroke [1] |
The Yamaha YD1 was Yamaha's first racing motorcycle, built for participation in the 2nd Asama Highlands Race in 1957. [2]
The YD1 was equipped with a 247 cc air cooled two-stroke mounted in a double-cradle frame. [1] Two different versions were produced, the YD-A and YD-B with stroke ratio specifications of 54x54mm and 56x50mm respectively. The light weight of the bike made it very formidable in terms of handling and acceleration compared to rival bikes of the era, such as the Honda RC71. [3] In 1957, the YD1 won 1st-3rd place at the 2nd All Japan Autobike Endurance Road Race (Asama Highlands Race). [4]
Yamaha decided to differentiate itself from its previous YA1 design by creating a new engine with two in-line cylinders, 2 strokes, and 247 cubic centimeters, cooled by air. This innovative approach signified Yamaha's entry into the 2.5 cubic centimeter category, hence earning it the title “the first two and a half for Yamaha.”
An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine, gearbox and propeller or jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the transom. They are the most common motorised method of propelling small watercraft. As well as providing propulsion, outboards provide steering control, as they are designed to pivot over their mountings and thus control the direction of thrust. The skeg also acts as a rudder when the engine is not running. Unlike inboard motors, outboard motors can be easily removed for storage or repairs.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese mobility manufacturer that produces motorcycles, motorboats, outboard motors, and other motorized products. The company was established in the year 1955 upon separation from Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. and is headquartered in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan. The company conducts development, production and marketing operations through 109 consolidated subsidiaries as of 2012.
A motorcycle engine is an engine that powers a motorcycle. Motorcycle engines are typically two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engines, but other engine types, such as Wankels and electric motors, have been used.
The Honda NSR500 is a road racing motorcycle created by HRC and debuted in 1984 for the Grand Prix motorcycle racing's 500 cc class. Honda won ten 500cc World Championships with the NSR500 from 1984 to 2002, with six in a row from 1994 to 1999. With more than 100 wins to its credit, the NSR500 is the most dominant force in modern Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The 1989 NSR500 that won Honda's third 500 World Championship with Eddie Lawson exemplifies the overwhelming power, acceleration and raw speed that has always been synonymous with Honda's 500 cc two-stroke V4.
Bucket Racing is a discipline of motorcycle sport originating in New Zealand and also popular in Australia.
The Yamaha YZ250 is a two-stroke motocross race bike made by Yamaha. The model was launched in 1974, and has been regularly updated and is still in production with new releases every year.
The Yamaha YZ450F is a four-stroke racing motocross bike built by Yamaha Motor Corporation. It was the successor to the previous YZ426F which was discontinued in 2003. It is credited by Cycle World and Dirt Rider magazines as the bike that started the four-stroke dirt bike revolution. The 2006 YZ250F and YZ450F were the first production motorcycles equipped with titanium suspension springs.
The A-AC10 Honda NSR50 is a motorcycle produced by Honda Motor Company. It was offered in a street legal format in several countries including Japan, France, Spain and more. It was also offered as an off-road use race bike variant in both Japan and the USA. The USA received it as a one-year only 2004 model designated as an NSR50R. In Japan it was offered in both 2004 and 2009 as the NSR Mini.
The Yamaha Nouvo is a CVT underbone manufactured by Yamaha Motor. It was introduced in April 2002 for Southeast Asia markets and In 2004, Brazil, where it was renamed the Yamaha Neo. Nouvo is from the French word Nouveau, which means new or fashionable.
The Honda NSR500V is a race motorcycle from the Honda NSR series. It was designed and manufactured by HRC and debuted in 1996 for the Grand Prix motorcycle racing's 500 cc class. The bike was conceived by Honda to be a viable machine for privateer teams to enter the class.
The Yamaha RD500LC is a high-performance, two-stroke sports motorcycle, also known as the RZ500 in Canada and Australia. A lightened but detuned version known as the RZV500R was developed for the Japanese home market. Strict United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations meant that the RZ500 was not available for sale in that country. Produced for a short period between 1984 and 1986 it has become a sought after collector's machine.
Fumio Ito was a Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Ito began his Grand Prix career in 1960, although he was a Factory Yamaha rider as far back as 1957 where the Yamaha YD-A & YD-B 250cc machines were so devastating in the Asama highlands race, where Yamaha took the first 3 places with Matsuko on a YD-A taking the honors. Ito himself could have easily won the race and had set the fastest lap, but his YD-A motorcycle seized and cost him the race. The machines were later modified for the 1958 Catalina GP in States with smaller fuel tanks taken from the YA 125 machines, high pipes and high footpegs. Ito was the Star rider of the team and the only Japanese rider alongside four local American riders. Ito finished 6th, even after an unscheduled pit stop for a fouled plug. He enjoyed his best season in 1963 when he won the 250cc Belgian Grand Prix and finished the season in third place in the 250cc world championship, behind Jim Redman and Tarquinio Provini.
The Yamaha FZ750 is a sports motorcycle produced by Yamaha Motor Corporation between 1985 and 1991. The FZ750 is notable for several reasons, perhaps the most radical being the 5-valve cylinder head with a radial arrangement. This became something of a Yamaha trademark. The FZ750 would be the first bike in the Genesis design concept.
The Yamaha RD48 was a two stroke 250cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle. It had two 56x50mm cylinders, disk valves, and an Oldham coupler joining the crank shafts. Weight was 100 kg and power 35PS.
The Yamaha YA-1 is the first motorcycle produced by the Yamaha Motor Company. It was made from 1955 to 1958. This was also the first vehicle in Japan to have a primary kick start system. The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan(in Japanese), includes the 1955 Yamaha 125YA-1 as one of their 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing sponsorship liveries have been used since the late 1960s, replacing the previously used national colours. With sponsors becoming more important with the rising costs in the motorcycle CC classes, many teams wanted to be able to display the logos of their sponsors as clearly as possible.
The Yamaha TZ 125 was a racing motorcycle produced by the Yamaha Motor Company from 1980 to 2010. The motorcycle was powered by a two stroke 125 cc engine.
Yamaha 250 V4 (RD05A) is an air-cooled road racing motorcycle made by Yamaha, produced between 1967 and 1968, and competed until 1972.
The Yamaha RA97 is a racing motorcycle produced by Yamaha, for the 125cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, in 1966.