Yamaha:History Timeline (USA)

A FAST RIDER ON HIS YAMAHA POWER BIKE RECENTLY

History Timeline (USA)

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. 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. 2000 The Buckmaster® Edition Big Bear 400 4x4 was introduced. This was the first ATV with camouflage bodywork. 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. 2004 Rhino Side x Side model introduced. Combined performance, terrainability, utility capabilities, and take-along-a-friend convenience to lead the way in a new category of off-road recreation. Start of "YAMAHA CCS 21 Campaign." Won MotoGP rider championship title. 2005 Yamaha captures MotoGP triple crown by winning the rider, team and manufacturer titles. 2008 Yamaha wins MotoGP triple crown of manufacturer, team and rider championships 2009 Yamaha Marine Co., Ltd. merged into YMC. Use of the new Y.C.A.T. automatic transmission on production mopeds announced. Yamaha wins MotoGP triple crown of maker, team and rider championship titles for second year in a row. 2010 Yamaha won the MotoGP "triple crown" of manufacturer, team and rider championship titles for third consecutive year. Celebrated the 50th anniversary of Yamaha marine operations. 2011 New Intelligent Machinery group company established to expand surface mounter sales in Europe and the USA. 2013 Yamaha introduces the Yamaha Bolt. 2014 Development of "BLUE CORE" next-generation compact, high-performance engines. 2015 Yamaha Motor Ventures and Laboratory Silicon Valley Inc. (YMVSV) established in the U.S.