In the early 60’s, together with arch rivals Honda, Yamaha broke the race track dominance of the British and European marques. The YDS-1, a high performance version, was the first Japanese motorcycle to feature a 5 speed gear box. In 1957, the YD-1, a two stroke 250cc twin, was launched. The YA-2 featured upgraded frame and suspension. At its first attempt, it won its class at the Mt Fuji hill climb. As with the BSA Bantam and Harley Davidson’s Hummer, it was a crib on the DKW RT125. The YA-1, a 125cc two stroke single, was Yamaha’s first production model. “OK, be honest, how many of you noticed that?” The Yamaha name has a ‘M’ with even length legs in the Motor Company logo but a shorter middle for the parent. The logo of this subsidiary is subtly different to that of the music company – the familiar three tuning forks are red on a white background rather than the violet on white of the parent company. In 1954, the Yamaha Corporation launched its first motorcycles under the banner of ‘Yamaha Motor Company’. The tuning fork became symbolic of Yamaha’s commitment to quality and it was to become the iconic Yamaha logo, which sports three crossed tuning forks. The Yamaha Company is today, the World’s largest manufacturer of quality musical instruments – testimony, I think, to the work ethic and resolve of a remarkable man. Not one to give up, Yamaha invested in a tuning fork and studied music, literally day and night, for the next four months.
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