If you knew me, you would know that I’m a big fan of all things Yamaha. I own multiple guitars bearing the name, have enjoyed time playing on their electric and acoustic pianos, have one of their receiver units powering my surround sound system and have owned 2 of the Yamaha motorcycles on this list. To say that everything they build is amazing might sound extreme but to be fair they have a serious commitment to quality and being competitive in every avenue of business that they are involved in. Their motorcycles are always competitive, some are at the leading edge of innovation and others are so good that the same design has been retained for years and years. Yamaha motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes, these are the top ten bikes Yamaha has produced:
1. Yamaha V-Max (2009 and up model)
Yamaha had to take a year off to produce the new model. The cult-icon status of the bike required retaining many of the qualities of the old bike while making it a wholly new bike at the same time. In the process they turned the V-Max into a technological showcase for Yamaha. Using tricks from Yamaha motorcycle racing, the V-Max puts out serious amounts of power, almost 200 horsepower, from a 1700cc engine. The “lift” sensation that the original V-max was famous for had to be retained but was realized in thoroughly modern way. On top of this, the issues everyone had with the original V-max were addressed in the redesign. Instead of being a drag-racing bike that could be driven around town, the new V-max blurs the line between cruisers, standard and sport bikes in terms of handling and braking performance.
2. Yamaha V-Max (1985-2007 Model)
I was fortunate enough to own a 2001 V-max for a time and to this day I still miss that bike. Because of the cult status this bike has had since the day it was produced, owners love these bikes, take care of them and all know what has to be done to fix the problems the bike had from the factory. The bike came out during the “muscle bike” wars in the mid-80’s between the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers and was the only one to not fade away into obscurity. With a 1200cc V-4 motor, the bike produced 133hp and 90 foot pounds of torque, making it one of the most powerful motors in a bike at the time and even when it was discontinued was the fastest cruiser ever made. The trick to making so much power was a little servo operated device in the intake system called V-Boost. At 6500 rpm’s, the bike went from a fairly easy to manage, torque heavy motor to a fire breathing monster by allowing fuel and air from two carburetors to enter the cylinder instead of just one carburetor. It was something to take seriously because the ride from 6500rpms to the redline was a hold on tight experience and one that either scared you silly or scared you enough to sell the bike. Any bike that could still claim accolades and honors after 20 years is a win in my book, especially when the modifications made over the years were minor and only occurred once in the 22 year history of this model.
Beginning as the FJR1100, the FJR1300 is considered one of the penultimate sports touring motorcycles available today. While the class is much more competitive than it was when the FJR1300 originally came out, this bike is still considered by many to be the best bike in the class; combining a powerful engine, excellent comfort as well as some serious cornering ability into a package that can be driven in the corners or across the country. On top of this, the FJR is a technological showpiece, being the first and only bike available in the U.S. with an automatic clutch and push button shifting ability.
4. Yamaha R1
Considered THE sport bike to beat in various years, the 2009 and up R1 is truly the best bike in the liter-bike class of sport bikes. Yes, other bikes have more cc’s, but they cannot keep up in a straight line or in the twisties with the R1. The bike is virtually identical to the racing version, aside from road compound tires and mandatory safety equipment. This 1000cc bike makes nearly 200 horsepower and likely over 200 horsepower when the ram-air induction kicks in with speed from the bike and retains the uneven firing order the race bike has.
5. Yamaha FZ1
Originally a standard/street fighter style bike with a modified R1 engine, the 2001 FZ1 had a steel frame making it very popular as a stunt bike in the United States. This changed in 2006, when the FZ1 went to a bike that was much more similar to its racing inspired cousin, the R1. For the money, it is still one of the best bargain bikes available; providing 90% of the power of a high performance sport bike in a more comfortable riding configuration. Insurance companies continue to be duped though and often times the FZ1 is cheaper to insure than the FZ6 because of its roots as a completely separately engineered bike.
Another mainstay of Yamaha’s Star line, the Royal Star Venture has been around for 11 years and counting with minimal modifications over the years. This model is a touring cruiser and competes well with even the newest redesign of Harley Davidson touring models as well as the fresh touring cruiser designs for from Kawasaki and Victory motorcycles. With classic looks and a 1300cc V-4 engine, it is comfortable, fairly inexpensive to maintain and one of the most reliable motorcycles on the road today. I’ll admit I almost bought one of these before deciding on the more powerful but no longer produced Honda Valkyrie Interstate.
7. Yamaha/Star Stratoliner Deluxe
Another big cruiser from Yamaha, this bike is the king of V-Twins, boasting a near-1900cc displacement. The torque is amazing and it moves quite well, even loaded with two people and the big windshield and fairing that comes standard. The styling has been praised by all and the air cooled engine produces excellent power, thanks to the fuel injection setup the bike has. The audio system is excellent for the driver and with available accessories, this bike can be a around town “bagger” or can easily be turned into a Ultra-Classic killer with after-market accessories.
8. Yamaha/Star Raider
This cruiser/custom was put on the list for one reason. Its introduction has spurred other motorcycle companies to build more chopper like motorcycles. In the arena of chopper inspired bikes, Yamaha has always been at the forefront, but the Raider’s introduction, with its clean lines, modified rake and beautiful, air-cooled v-twin has made other motorcycle manufacturers really think about the chopper market as being a viable market to develop bikes for, even if they are lower production runs.
9. Yamaha R6/FZ6
If you have read this far, it is likely that you noticed I put the FZ1 and R1 in separate listings, yet put the R6 and FZ6 together. The reason is that they are, and always have been, much closer cousins to each other. While the FZ6 started out as the Fazer (and is actually still named as such in other markets besides the United States) the engineering process has always been parallel between these two models. The engines? The same, just tuned differently. The frames; again the same. The major differences for the past 10 years really are about engine tuning, suspension adjustability and other details that separate the FZ6 from the R6 and what is considered a “standard” from a true sport bike. (Most insurance companies, however, see them as being far more similar than Yamaha does though). Both bikes are lightweight and incredibly sporty. The FZ6 is simply more comfortable for longer commuting and the tuning of the engine is more geared for daily drivability over ultimate performance.
There are many motorcycles from Yamaha deserving a place on this list. However, I couldn’t help but bring up the Seca 650 turbo from their past. This bike was and still is a different kind of beast. The advertisement from 1982 showed it dusting a Porsche. Who, aside from a Porsche owner, couldn’t identify with that? The bike, and the other turbo bikes of the era, just couldn’t live up to the hype, were ahead of their time in terms of complexity and the cost for the extra horsepower made them a tough sell in the early 80’s. Sadly, they are a thing of the past but good quality examples can still be had; though they have become somewhat of a collector’s item in recent years. If you ever are given the opportunity to drive one, take it. It’s a chance to ride what was a short chapter in the evolution of the motorcycle.
Sources:
Yamaha Motor Company, USA, Yamaha Motors
List of Yamaha Motorcycles, Wikipedia
