Yamaha - History

Today Yamaha is probably one of the best-known motorcycle manufacturers in the world. One can find adverts for Yamaha motorcycles for sale in publications globally and Yamaha fan websites from various countries all over the internet. But, there was a time when Yamaha wasn't so big.

In 1851, Torakusu Yamaha was born in his native Japan. In 1890, Torakusu Yamaha incorporated the Nippon Gakki Company Limited, for the purpose of making pianos and organs. Yamaha had its origins as a musical instrument maker. This is still reflected in the Yamaha logo, which depicts 3 interlocking tuning forks. In 1916, the founder, Torakusu Yamaha passed away. In the years after World War II, the company’s president Genichi Kawakami realized Japan needed affordable transportation to rebuild after the war. In 1955, Yamaha introduced it's first motorized product, the YA-1 Motorcycle. It was a 125cc, 2-stroke, single-cylinder motorcycle. It was patterned after the DKW RT 125. It was dubbed the “Red Dragonfly,” and was so successful that Yamaha decided to incorporate the Yamaha Motor Corporation. In 1957 Yamaha introduced the YD-1, which was an improved version of the German Adler bike. In 1958, Cooper Motors started selling Yamaha motorcycles as an independent importer in the United States. In 1959, the YDS-1 was released by Yahama. This was a tuned-up version of the YD-1 motor in a double-cradle frame. This bike established the pattern of sporty Yamaha two-stroke Twins for 20 years. In 1960, Yahama Internation started selling motorcycles in the USA. In the 250cc class, Phil Read won Yamaha's first ever World Championship in 1964. The DT-1 Enduro was introduced in 1968 by Yamaha, possibly the first dual-purpose motorcycle ever made. In 1975 Yamaha pioneered the very first single-shock production motocross bike.

Giacomo Agostini gave Yamaha its first 500cc Motorcycle World Championship in the same year. The legendary Yamaha XT 500 was born in 1976. In its 4th year of production, the Yamaha XT 500 won its first running of the Paris-Dakar rally. In 1979 developed the Yamaha Induction Control System (YICS), a fuel-saving engine system for 4-stroke engines. The first air-cooled V-Twin cruiser, the Virago 750, was introduced in 1981. In 1984, the first production 5-valve-per-cylinder engine was introduced on the FZ750. Eddie Lawson also won the 500cc World Championship for Yamaha in 1984. He went on to do it again in 1986 & 1988. In 1987 Yamaha introduced the EXUP, a new exhaust system for 4-stroke engines that included a power valve to control back-pressure for optimizing the width of an engine's powerband. 1990 Wayne Rainey won the 500cc World Championship. He goes on to win it again in 1991 and 1992. Thomas Stevens became the only person ever to win the AMA Superbike Championship on a Yamaha in 1991. Yamaha introduced its first Star model with the 1300cc V-4 Royal Star in 1996. In 1998 the Yamaha YZ400F four-stroke motocross bike is introduced, it becomes the first mass produced 4-stroke motocross bike. The YZF-R1 sport bike was also introduced to wild acclaim in the same year. In 1999, the YZF-R6 was introduced.

In 2002, the Yamaha R1 gets fuel injection, a first for a Yamaha sportbike. Valentino Rossi won the 2004 & 2005 Moto GP World Championship on a Yamaha bike. In 2006 the Yamaha R6 was introduced with a Yamaha Chip-Controlled Throttle or YCCT. This partial fly-by-wire system was a first in the motorcycle industry first. In 2007 the Yamaha R1 was introduced with a Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake or YCCI. This system varies the length of the inlet tract depending on throttle position and engine speed. The Yamaha R1 was also introduced with a slipper clutch. Yamaha won the Manufacturer’s Championship in the same year. After an incredible run of more than 20 years, the Yamaha Vmax was finally put out to pasture in favor of a new version powered by a monstrous 1700cc V-4 engine pumping out a claimed 200 hp earlier this year. Yamaha will continue to make motorcycles for many years to come. This truly is one of the best motorcycle manufacturers in the world. It truly is no surprise to find adverts for Yamaha in the classifieds, since it's one the most popular brands.

Related Link:
Yamaha - Official Website

Triumph - History

In 1885, the company began when Siegfried Bettmann emigrated to Coventry, England from Nuremberg, part of German Empire. In 1884, Bettmann founded his own company, the S. Bettmann & Co. Import Export Agency, in London, England. The company originally produced bicycles, which were bought and sold under its own brand name. The company also distributed sewing machines imported from Germany. In 1886, Bettmann sought a more universal name. The company became known as the Triumph Cycle Company. In 1887, the company registered as the New Triumph Co. Ltd., with financial backing from the Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company. Bettmann was joined by another Nuremberg native, Moritz Schulte in the same year. In 1888 Bettmann purchased a site in Coventry. The company began producing the first Triumph-branded bicycles in 1889. In 1896 Triumph opened a factory in Nuremberg, Germany for cycle production in Bettman's native city. Triumph decided to extend its production to include motorcycles in 1898. By 1902, the company produced their first motorcycle, a bicycle fitted with a Belgian Minerva engine. In 1903 Triumph motorcycle sales topped 500. During its first few years of producing motorcycles, designs were based on those of other manufacturers. In 1904 Triumph began producing motorcycles based on its own designs. In 1905 Truimph produced its first completely in-house designed motorcycle. By the end of 1905, Triumph had produced more than 250 of that designs. In 1907, Truimph produced more than 1,000 motorcycles.

Just like Harley-Davidson, the outbreak of World War I provided a boost for Triumph as production switched to support the Allied war effort. Triumph produced more than 30,000 motorcycles to help with the Allied war effort. In the 1920s Triumph purchased the former Hillman car factory in Coventry, England and produced a saloon car in 1923 under the Triumph Motor Company. By the mid-1920s Triumph was Britain's leading motorcycle and car maker, with a 500,000 square feet plant capable of producing up to 30,000 motorcycles and cars a year. Triumph motorcycles were particularly popular overseas and income came primarily from exports to other countries. In 1929 The Great Depression hit. Triumph sold off its German subsidiary as a separate, independently owned company, which became part of the Triumph-Adler Company. In 1932, Triumph sold off its bicycle manufacturing section to Raleigh. Triumph struggled financially and Bettmann was forced out of the chairman's spot. He retired completely in 1933. In 1936, the company's 2 components became separate companies. After going bankrupt in 1939, the Triumph Car company was acquired by the Standard Motor Company. The motorcycle operation was acquired in 1936 by Jack Sangster, who also owned the rival Ariel motorcycle company. In 1936 Triumph began exporting motorcycles to the United States. Motorcycles were produced at Coventry until World War II. Coventry in England, was virtually destroyed The Blitz (1940-41). After tooling and machinery was recovered from the site of the devastation, production restarted at a new plant in the West Midlands in England in 1942. Triumph continued producing motorcycles after the 2nd World War. Triumph received a lot of publicity in the United States. Marlon Brando rode a 1950 Thunderbird 6T in the 1953 movie, The Wild One. In 1951 Triumph was sold to rival company BSA. Production and sales grew steadily and by 1965 the plant in the Midlands was producing around 800 units per week, 80% destined for the USA. In 1969 Triumph's production peaked at around 46,800 units a year. By the early 1970s Triumph experienced production delays. In 1972, the BSA Group merged with Norton Villiers and Norton-Villiers-Triumph (NVT) was formed. In 1973 NVT announced that the Meriden plant was going to be closed. This provoked a workers' sit in. As a result production was virtually halted. In 1974, almost no motorcycles were built. In 1975, after negotiation, the plant resumed production of motorcycles with capital provided by a British government grant. The co-operative subsequently bought the rights to the Triumph marque from NVT and production gradually crept up to 350 units per week. Despite further support, the co-operative went into liquidation in 1983. In the same year, John Bloor bought the name and manufacturing rights from the Official Receiver for Triumph. The new company continued the company's record of motorcycle production since 1902, making it the world's longest continuous production motorcycle manufacturer. Today Triumph still produces motorcycles. I'm sure that if you looks around in publications and on the internet that one would find various classifieds adverts for Triumph motorcycles.

Related Links:
Triumph Motorcycles - Official Website

Harley-Davidson - History

Harley-Davidson, an American motorcycle manufacturer was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the USA, making it one of the oldest motorcycle companies in the world today. The company was founded by William S Harley and Arthur Davidson. In 1904 the first Harley-Davidson dealer, C.H. Lang of Chicago, Illinois opened for business. On the 4th of July 1905, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle won a 15 mile race in Chicago. By 1920, after supplying the war effort with 15,000 motorcycles in 1917, Harley-Davidson had grown to the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. By 1920 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were being sold by 67 countries. The Great Depression began in 1929. The company's sales plummeted from 21,000 in 1929 to less than 4,000 in 1933. The company manufactured industrial powerplants based on motorcycle engines to survive. They also built a 3-wheeled delivery vehicle, the Servi-Car which remained in production until 1973. Harley-Davidson is one of only 2 American motorcycle manufacturers which survived the Great Depression.

When World War 2 broke out, Harley-Davidson produced large numbers of motorcycles for the US Army. Harley-Davidson produced over 90,000 to contribute to the Allied and Soviet War efforts. The company produced the WLA & WLC model for the war effort. Production of this model was halted when the war ended. Harley-Davidson then resumed civilian production, producing a range of large V-twin motorcycles that were successful both on racetracks and for private buyers. In 1950 they produced the WLA motorcycle again to help with the Korean War Effort up to 1952. In spite of a media-accelerated negative image of motorcyclists, a period of poor quality control, competition with Japanese manufacturers and a workers strike in 2007, the company still keeps on producing motorcycles. William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, William A. Davidson and Walter Davidson both used and believed in their products and relied on dedication of their employees to produce quality motorcycles, all 4 of them were inducted into the Labor Hall of Fame. There's nothing like hearing a Harley-Davidson power its way around in traffic or on the open road. The bike's engine has a distinct sound (very loud I might add). The company only produces motorcycles over 750cc, so all the bikes have powerful engines. You can find adverts for Harley-Davidson parts and bikes in various classifieds publications and on websites around the world. Harley-Davidson has a loyal brand community, licensing of the Harley-Davidson logo accounts for almost 5% of the company's net revenue. Harley-Davidson supplies many American Police departments with motorcycles. Harley-Davidson has always been associated with the biker, motorcycle club, outlaw biker & outlaw motorcycle gang sub-cultures. This brand has truly left it's mark on motorcycle history.

Related Links:
Harley Davidson Official Website.

Kawasaki - History

Kawasaki is a well-known for their motorcycles. I'm sure one would find cheap parts or 2nd hand bikes for sale on classifieds websites or in publications around the world. Here is a timeline of events of significance in Kawasaki's history:

• 
  1896 - Founded by Shozo Kawasaki. Will come to be known as Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Over time, the company’s principal areas of activity will be shipbuilding, railroad rolling stock, and electrical generating plants. Motorcycles will become a small part of this diversified industrial conglomerate.


• 1960 - Kawasaki signs an agreement to take over Meguro motorcycles, a major player in the nascent Japanese motorcycle manufacturing business. Meguro is one of the only Japanese companies making a 500cc bike. In England and the UK, Meguro’s 500 – which bears a strong resemblance to the BSA A7 – is derided as a cheap copy. But in fact, it is a pretty high-quality bike.


• 1961 - Kawasaki produces first complete motorcycle – the B8 125cc two-stroke.


• 1962 - Series of the 2-stroke models from 50-250cc released. 250cc disc-valve ‘Samurai’ attracts attention in the U.S.A.


• 1966 - The 650W1 is released and is the biggest bike made in Japan at the time. It’s inspired by the BSA A10. Over the next few years it will get twin carbs, and high pipes for a ‘scrambler’ version.


• 1969 - Dave Simmonds gives Kawasaki its first World Championship, in the 125cc class. The Kawasaki H1 (aka Mach III) a 500cc 3-cylinder 2-stroke is released. Although handling leaves something to be desired, it has a very powerful motor for its day and is one of the quickest production bikes in the quarter-mile. The Mach III establishes Kawasaki’s reputation in the U.S.A. A wonderful H1R production racer is also released – a 500cc racing bike. Over the next few years, larger and smaller versions of the H1, including the S1 (250cc) S2 (350cc) and H2 (750cc) are released and become successful in the marketplace. The H2R 750cc production racer is also successful on the race track, but Kawasaki knows that the days of the 2-stroke streetbike are coming to an end. Kawasaki plans to release a 4-stroke, but is shocked by the arrival of the Honda 750-Four. Kawasaki goes back to the drawing board.


• 1973 - The first new 4-stroke since the W1 is released. It’s worth the wait. The 900cc Z1 goes one up on the Honda 750 with more power and double overhead cams. Over the next few years, capacity increases slightly and it's rebadged the Z-1000.


• 1978 - Kork Ballington wins the 250cc and 350cc World Championships with fore-and-aft parallel-Twin racers (Rotax also built racing motors in this configuration. Ballington repeats the feat in 1979. In 1980 he finishes second in the premier 500cc class. Anton Mang takes over racing duties in the 250 and 350 classes, and wins 4 more titles over the next 3 years, the most successful period for Kawasaki in the World Championship. Kawasaki’s big-bore KZ1300 is released. Honda and Benelli have already released 6-cylinder bikes by this time, but Kawasaki’s specification includes water cooling and shaft drive. To underline the efficiency of the cooling system, the launch is held in Death Valley. Despite its substantial weight, journalists are impressed. Over the next few years, the KZ1300 gets digital fuel injection and a full-dress touring version is sold as the ‘Voyager.’ It's marketed as “a car without doors”!


• 1981 - Eddie Lawson wins the AMA Superbike championship for Kawasaki after an epic battle with Honda’s Freddie Spencer. He repeats the feat as champion in 1982.
  Kawasaki releases the GPZ 550. It's air-cooled and has only 2 valves per cylinder, but its performance threatens the 750cc machines of rival manufacturers. This is the bike that launches the 600 class.


• 1983 - The liquid-cooled 4-valve GPZ 900R ‘Ninja’ is shown to the motorcycle press for the first time at Laguna Seca. They’re stunned.


• 1985 - James “Bubba” Stewart, Jr. is born. Kawasaki supplies his family with Team Green diapers.


• 1989 - The first ‘ZXR’-designated bikes reach the market. They are 750cc and 400cc race replicas.


• 1990 - The ZX-11 is launched and features a 1052cc engine. It is the first production motorcycle with ram-air induction and the fastest production bike on the market.


• 1991 - The ZXR750R begins a 4 year run as the top bike in the FIM Endurance World Championship.


• 1993 - Scott Russell wins the World Superbike Championship, much to Carl Fogarty’s dismay.


• 2000 - ZX-12R released – the new flagship of the ZX series.


• 2002 - Bubba Stewart wins AMA 125 MX championship.


• 2003 - Stewart is AMA 125 West SX champ. “What the heck is he doing on the jumps?” people wonder. It’s the “Bubba Scrub.” In a daring move that acknowledges that only a small percentage of supersports motorcycles are ever actually raced, Kawasaki ups the capacity of the ZX-6R to 636cc. Ordinary riders welcome a noticeable increase in mid-range power, and the bike is the king of the ‘real world’ middleweights.


• 2004 - Stewart wins the AMA 125 East SX title, and the 125cc outdoor championship. There are only one or 2 riders on 250s who lap any faster than he does on the little bikes. Just when we thought motorcycles couldn’t get any crazier, the ZX-10R is released.


• 2007 - Although his transition to the big bikes hasn’t been as smooth as many expected it to be, Stewart wins the 2007 AMA SX championship.

Check out the official Kawasaki official website for more info.