Email Print Yamaha Motorcycles

Updated January 2020

The second largest of the Japanese “Big Four,” Yamaha has been producing motorcycles since 1955, which quickly appeared on U.S. shores not long after. Ever since, Yamaha has been in competition with main rival Honda on the track and off, racing at the highest levels and generously allowing all that technology and engineering expertise to trickle down to all its products.

Quickly adopted by racers including such legendary figures as Kenny Roberts and Valentino Rossi, Yamaha developed a reputation for excellent reliability that continues to this day. That reputation carries over into a full line of dirt, street and dual-purpose motorcycles, as well as the company’s line of ATVs, side-by-side off-road vehicles, boats, etcetera. (Yamaha Motors, in fact, spun off from the world’s largest maker of pianos, the original Yamaha Corporation, which is still the largest shareholder.)

Now the company makes pure pavement sport bikes ranging from the beginner-friendly YZF-R3 to the fire-breathing YZF-R1; YZ competition dirt bikes in both 2- and 4-stroke ranging from YZ65 to YZ450F; a range of trail bikes and dual-sports; Ténéré adventure touring bikes; “Hyper Naked” street bikes; “Sport Heritage” street bikes; big transcontinental tourers and the Eluder bagger, scooters… basically, if there’s a niche, Yamaha has a motorcycle or two to plug it.

Never apparently content to sit still, Yamaha recently introduced a couple of Niken three-wheelers to further expand the rider envelope, and it also began importing its long-running line of Ebikes to the USA in 2019: In fact, it’s the world’s largest producer of the increasingly popular electric-assisted bicycles.

Here are just a few of our current favorite Yamahas:

XSR900

The XSR900 is one of Yamaha’s Sport Heritage bikes, which combines the performance of its soul-stirring 847cc three-cylinder engine and all the latest chassis components, with classic styling reminiscent of Yamaha’s earliest four-stroke machines. This one’s a great do-everything motorcycle for all occasions.

Niken GT

The Niken and Niken GT are definitely pushing the definition of motorcycle, with their two front wheels. With twice as much front-end traction as a regular bike, the Nikens greatly increase the safety factor in inclement conditions, extending the riding season for all who live wherever the weather’s not always great. The GT version comes with a wider, taller touring screen, saddlebags, plusher rider and passenger saddles, heated grips, etc.

YZF-R1M

Yamaha’s apex-predator Superbike-racing platform is ready to hit the track right out of the crate: Its powerful 999 cc crossplane-crankshaft equipped four-cylinder engine is kept in control by the latest in electronic rider aids, including GPS course mapping capability. Suspension is state-of-the-art Öhlins electronic ERS, and everything about the R1M has trickled down from MotoGP and World Superbike to provide the fastest possible lap times.

Ténéré 700

Midsized is right-sized in the latest adventure bikes. Ténéré 700’s fuel-injected 689cc liquid-cooled Twin (derived from the excellent, award-winning MT-07) is maybe even better suited to adventure riding, thanks to its torquey, tractable power delivery and compactness. A narrow chassis, slim fuel tank, and flat seat allow maximum agility, sitting or standing. Adjustable long-travel suspension carrying dirt-ready spoked wheels, 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, ensure the Ténéré doesn’t shy away from aggressive riding when the pavement ends. Triple-disc brakes with selectable ABS, compact LED headlights, robust LCD gauges – this one’s ready to go anywhere, road or no road.

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New 2014 Yamaha FZ-09, YZ450F & YZ250F

New 2014 Yamaha FZ-09, YZ450F & YZ250F
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  • 2021 Yamaha Trail Bikes Announced

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  • All-New YZ450FX Headlines 2021 Yamaha Cross Country Lineup

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  • 2021 Yamaha YZ Motocross Lineup Announced

    Yamaha announced its 2021 YZ motocross lineup, including a redesigned YZ250F, and new Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition versions of the YZ250F and YZ450F. Also returning for 2021 are the two-stroke YZ125 and YZ250, and the YZ85 and YZ65 youth models. 2021 Yamaha YZ250F The 2021 YZ250F receives a new cylinder head with an updated […] more

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  • Yamaha YZF-R3 Affected by Two Different Recalls

    Yamaha announced two separate recalls for the YZF-R3, one for a problem with the gear shifter and the other for a potential coolant leak. The gear shifter recall affects 11,240 units of the R3 from model years 2015 and 2016 while the coolant leak recall affects 16,760 units from 2015 to 2018. According to the […] more

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  • 2012-2013 Yamaha Super Ténéré Recalled for Electrical Issue

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  • 2018 Yamaha MT-07 and XSR700 Recalled for Loose Chain Guard

    Yamaha is recall certain 2018 MT-07 and XSR700 models because the change guards attached to the swingarms may come loose. The recall affects 3,493 units in the U.S. As of this writing, the MT-07’s predecessor, the FZ-07, is not included in the recall, despite sharing a similar swingarm design. According to documents released by the […] more

  • 2019 Yamaha Niken Priced at US$15,999; Online Reservations Only

    The 2019 Yamaha Niken is now available to order for U.S. customers, at a suggested retail price of $15,999. 2019 Yamaha Niken First Ride Review The three-wheeled Niken won’t be available at dealerships however; the leaning multi-wheel Niken will only be sold through an online reservation system at YamahaMotorports.com/nikenorder. Supplies are limited, so orders will […] more

  • Yamaha Yard Built XSR900 ‘Alter’ by Dab Motors + Video

    Yamaha has its Yard Built series where different motorcycle builders transform and create new renditions of the XSR700 and XSR900 platforms. Here is French builder Simon Dabadie of Dab Motors’ creation. Click here for more pics and info. Yamaha: June 25, 208 – Yamaha Yard Built – Biarritz is famous for its laid-back approach to […] more

  • Check Out This Custom Yamaha Star Eluder Built by Cory Ness

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  • Yamaha Introduces its Free Yamaha Power Tuner Smartphone App

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  • Yamaha Introduces 2019 XT250 and TW200 Dual-Sports

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  • Yamaha Yard Built XSR700 by Workhorse Speed Shop

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  • Yamaha Motor Co. Says its Earnings Are Up Solidly in First Quarter

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  • Yamaha NIKEN – Electronic Aids and Benefits + Video

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  • Yamaha U.S. Announces 2018 bLU cRU Off-Road Racers

    Yamaha announced its 2018 bLU cRU off-road racing teams, led by AMA Hall of Fame Member Randy Hawkins‘ AmPro/Yamaha team and the Raines Riding University/Atlas Sales/Yamaha team. Begin Press Release Yamaha U.S. Announces 2018 bLU cRU Off-Road Motorcycle Racing Teams Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., is proud to announce its bLU cRU Off-Road Motorcycle Racing Teams […] more

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