In Taiwan, the Yamaha SR150 is known as a “white plate motorcycle” — a locally-built machine that’s free of the high import fees and twice-yearly inspections demanded of larger motorcycles. An imported Yamaha SR400, for […]
Tag: Yamaha
Stay Gold: Yamaha SR500 Street Tracker
The Yamaha SR500 is a street version of the beloved XT500 dual-sport, featuring a slightly modified version of the 499cc twin-valve engine, electronic ignition, and dual 18-inch wheels. Built to bear a strong family resemblance […]
The Raven: Yamaha XS1100 “Il Corvino” by Licari Co.
At its introduction in 1978, the 95-hp Yamaha XS1100 — aka the XS Eleven — was the world’s fastest production motorcycle, clocking off the quarter mile in 11.78 seconds — a time unmatched by any […]
2-Smoker: Yamaha RD350 by Marc Martin
“Don’t feel bad. You’re not the first 750 rider to get blown off by a Yamaha 350.” That was the headline of a 1975 magazine advertisement for the Yamaha RD350, and it was true. Introduced […]
Big Wheel: Yamaha XS650 Bobber by A&J Cycles
A metric bobber recalling the Big Wheel trikes of yesteryear… The Yamaha XS650 remains one of the most versatile vintage motorcycles in the hands of custom builders. We regularly see the British-inspired Japanese twin transformed […]
WKND Virago: Yamaha XV750 by De Stijl Moto
A JDM-inspired Virago from Portland… Introduced in 1981, the Yamaha XV750 Virago was the company’s first foray into the market for V-twin cruisers, featuring mono-shock rear suspension, shaft-drive, and an air-cooled 75° V-twin producing 55 […]
No XS: Yamaha XS400 Twin(s)
Introduced in 1976, the Yamaha XS400 was highly anticipated in the industry. After all, its two-stroke sibling, the RD400, had been the fastest of the 400s, and everyone was curious what Yamaha could do with […]
Aluminum XS: Yamaha XS650 Street Tracker by Café Cycles
The Yamaha XS650 is one of our favorite vintage motorcycles. While it was styled after the British twins of the era, the bike was properly modern, featuring unit construction (engine and gearbox in same casing), […]
Yamaha YZ400F Flat Tracker
The Yamaha YZ400F was a true game-changer, the first 4-stroke production motocrosser that could compete directly against the 2-stroke competition — and win. The YZF weighed 250 pounds — about 20 more than the 2-strokes […]
Race Derived: Yamaha RD350 Cafe Racer by MotoExotica
A 1984 (!) Yamaha RD350 from the Himalayan foothills… The Yamaha RD350 is one of our favorite two-stroke street bikes, a parallel-twin standard that boasted 39 horsepower, Autolube oil injection, best-in-class brakes, and lovely colors […]
