1955
- Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. was founded with Genichi Kawakami as the first President
- Nippon Gakki Hamana Factory established in Hamakita-cho (present Hamamatsu city), Hamana-gun, Shizuoka Pref., and production of our first product, the 125cc Yamaha motorcycle "YA-1" begins
- YA-1 wins 125cc class of the 3rd Mount Fuji Ascent Race
- YA-1 captures first three places at the 1st All Japan Autobike Endurance Road Race (Asama Highlands Race) in the Ultralight (125cc) class
1956
- YA-1 wins 1st to 8th places (125cc class) and YC-1 wins 1st to 5th places (250cc class) at 4th Mount Fuji Ascent Race
- Yamaha Motor Hamamatsu Research Institute founded and operations shifted from the Nippon Gakki Hamamatsu Research Institute
1957
- YA Racer wins 1st, 2nd and 5th places (125cc class) and YD Racer wins 1st to 3rd places (Light class) at 2nd All Japan Autobike Endurance Road Race (Asama Highlands Race)
1958
- Took 6th place in first attempt at 8th Catalina Grand Prix in the U.S. (Yamaha's international racing debut)
- Yamaha De Mexico S.A. de C.V. established with investment by Nippon Gakki and local Mexican investors and begins sales of Yamaha Motor products
- Yamaha "YA-2" becomes first motorcycle to win Japan's "Good Design Award"
1959
- The first full-fledged sports motorcycle by a Japanese maker, "YDS1" released, actor Yujiro Ishihara used as commercial endorser
- Kitagawa Motor Co., Ltd. joins Yamaha Motor group
- Yamaha Technological Research Institute established at Hamakita-cho (present Hamamatsu city), Hamana-gun, Shizuoka Pref., for overall R&D for Yamaha Motor group
- Completion of Tenryu test course in Hamakita-cho (present Hamamatsu city), Hamana-gun, Shizuoka Pref.