Land Mobility : Motorcycles

Product Profile

Motorcycles are used and loved by people all around the world as a practical means for commuting as well as partners for recreation and sport. Yamaha Motor caters to a wide range of needs with a diverse product lineup that includes scooters, used primarily for day-to-day mobility like commuting, shopping and commerce; motorcycles, with models suiting everything from city streets to long-distance touring; and even machines meant exclusively for closed-course competition.

Background of the Business

During World War II, Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. (today’s Yamaha Corporation) used its technology and expertise in musical instrument manufacturing to produce aircraft propellers. After the war ended, the company began searching for ways to use its propeller manufacturing facilities and equipment for peaceful enterprise, and from among several candidate industries, the company decided to enter the motorcycle business. At the time, there were already some 200 motorcycle companies active in Japan, and Nippon Gakki was among the very last to enter the market. However, the company’s first motorcycle, the 125cc YA-1 released in 1955, took successive debut victories in Japan’s biggest motorcycle races at the time, sending a loud and clear message of its high performance and quality to dealerships and motorcyclists nationwide. Then in 1958, Yamaha Motor took its business overseas for the first time by opening an office in Mexico. “It isn’t a product if it isn’t world-class.” As if seeking to realize founding president KAWAKAMI, Genichi's words, the company gradually built and expanded its customer base to markets in countries around the world.

Current Market Conditions

Japan

The Japanese market is broad, spanning a range of categories from recreational sport bikes with high added value to scooters for practical use. In addition, the market is unique in allowing for a license for operating motorcycles that are automatic transmission only. In recent years, large-displacement motorcycles purely for fun and highly practical 125cc scooters have been popular.

Japan Motorcycle License Types and Regulations

Europe

As one would expect from the birthplace of motorcycles, they have a well-established place in European culture and daily life. Usage and the customer base is widespread, with riders of all ages and genders using them not only for getting around town, but also for dynamic tours that cross the continent and trackdays at racing circuits. Motorsport is popular and over half the rounds of the MotoGP World Championship—the premier series of motorcycle road racing—are held in Europe.

North America

Motorcycling is loved in this market mainly as a hobby and for recreation. Cruisers and touring bikes suited for riding long distances and off-road models meant for unpaved roads, mountainous terrain, desert sand and the like are very popular. Motorcycle racing and motorsports in general also enjoy a massive following in North America.

Southeast Asia

In the countries that comprise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), motorcycles are a vital mode of transportation for commuting to work or school as well as for use in business and daily life, and form part of the transportation infrastructure. Utilitarian motorcycles around 125cc make up the majority of demand, but more recently, there has been a rise in demand for sporty, more recreational models. Among other steps, Yamaha was quick to introduce automatic-transmission models to this market and is building its image as a cutting-edge and sporty brand.

India

India is the world’s largest motorcycle market and the scooter category in particular has shown remarkable growth in recent years, now accounting for roughly one-third of total demand. With the country’s motorization now proceeding at a rapid pace, Yamaha is leveraging its strong support among urban youth as well as focusing its efforts on sales of sport models.

Initiatives in Electrification

Since launching the all-electric Passol in 2002, Yamaha Motor has released a variety of electric vehicles (EVs) to market as a pioneer of electric commuter models. At the same time, we have proactively worked to facilitate the spread of electric motorcycles. In Europe, we have released the NEO’S, a scooter equipped with a removable battery. In Taiwan, we have released the EC-05 and EMF, which can use the Gogoro Energy Network’s battery swapping stations. In November 2025, we released two new electric scooter models in India: the AEROX E developed in-house, and the EC-06 electric scooter created in collaboration with River Mobility Private Limited in India. In these ways, we are moving forward with EV development in every direction while envisioning vehicles and environments that best suit each region.

Production