On October 18, 2025, our annual event for owners and fans of Yamaha motorcycles, My Yamaha Motorcycle Day 2025, was held at Sportsland SUGO in Miyagi Prefecture.
This was a milestone year, marking the 70th anniversary of Yamaha Motor and 50th anniversary of the venue itself. To express our appreciation to our customers, we prepared special content fit for an anniversary year.
The Historic Models Demonstration Run was that content. Demonstration runs are held regularly as a component of maintenance to check the conditions of the historic models stored at the Communication Plaza. This was the first time in seven years that the Historic Models Demonstration Run was open to the public. It attracted a lot of attention, as it has been a long time since it was last open to the public, and around 2,600 visitors came to the venue that day.
There were demonstrations of 43 historic models at two locations within the venue: the main and west courses. In total, 59 historic models were on display, including the 43 models after they finished their demonstration runs and 16 other historic models on display only, creating a “mini Communication Plaza” in a corner of the venue. Here, we share with you the scene at the venue on that day and feedback from visitors who came to enjoy the event!
This year, we mainly spoke with visitors who came to the venue on their own motorcycles. Unsurprisingly, many of them were looking forward to the return of the Historic Models Demonstration Run for the first time in seven years, and after they watched it, we received many joyful comments like “I missed the sounds of the engines!” and “I just can’t get enough of the sounds and smells of two-strokes!”
The Historic Models Demonstration Run, one of the centerpieces of the event, was supported behind the scenes by Yamaha’s Restoration Team. This started with selecting which historic models would be run and carefully maintaining each of them. To be extra careful, they also performed test runs on a different course before the actual Demonstration Run at SUGO, and it apparently took almost two years in total to prepare. After the Historic Models Demonstration Run, we asked the Team how they felt now that the event was over.
This event was meant to allow customers to enjoy seeing historic models running and to deepen their grasp of Yamaha's history, but we also wanted to give Yamaha employees in Japan and overseas the same experience. We asked everyone in our Motorcycle Testing Divisions to be a rider in the runs this time. I'm grateful to them for providing runs that charmed visitors, even though some of them were riding the models for the first time.
This event was meant to allow customers to enjoy seeing historic models running and to deepen their grasp of Yamaha's history, but we also wanted to give Yamaha employees in Japan and overseas the same experience. We asked everyone in our Motorcycle Testing Divisions to be a rider in the runs this time. I'm grateful to them for providing runs that charmed visitors, even though some of them were riding the models for the first time.
Old motorcycles are the in thing now around the world, but they're from times when chassis rigidity and engine performance were still evolving. As each model represents a transitional period in this evolution that tackled a variety of challenges, I think they come across as unique to people today. It was great to see that even the young test riders enjoyed that uniqueness, including carbureted motorcycles that are a bit temperamental but feel human and analog two-strokes.
Old motorcycles are the in thing now around the world, but they're from times when chassis rigidity and engine performance were still evolving. As each model represents a transitional period in this evolution that tackled a variety of challenges, I think they come across as unique to people today. It was great to see that even the young test riders enjoyed that uniqueness, including carbureted motorcycles that are a bit temperamental but feel human and analog two-strokes.
Even though they're historic models preserved in working condition, their individual conditions varied from being able to run with a bit of maintenance to requiring complete disassembly of both the engine and suspension. Maintenance took two to three months for a few of them, so the almost two years it took to prepare them all really flew by. Even so, that’s the reality of old motorcycles: fine today, no good tomorrow (laughs). Well, there were some problems right up to the last minute, but I'm relieved that the event ended without mishap.
Even though they're historic models preserved in working condition, their individual conditions varied from being able to run with a bit of maintenance to requiring complete disassembly of both the engine and suspension. Maintenance took two to three months for a few of them, so the almost two years it took to prepare them all really flew by. Even so, that’s the reality of old motorcycles: fine today, no good tomorrow (laughs). Well, there were some problems right up to the last minute, but I'm relieved that the event ended without mishap.
Before the actual event today, we did some test runs in advance on a different course, and there were no problems at all, so it was strange when we encountered problems after bringing the vehicles to the venue (laughs). We worked frantically until dark the night before. Many visitors and employees seemed to enjoy looking at the historic models and talking about them, and if our work helped with that, we're satisfied!
Before the actual event today, we did some test runs in advance on a different course, and there were no problems at all, so it was strange when we encountered problems after bringing the vehicles to the venue (laughs). We worked frantically until dark the night before. Many visitors and employees seemed to enjoy looking at the historic models and talking about them, and if our work helped with that, we're satisfied!
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Yamaha Motor with our customers, many Yamaha employees from not only Japan but also overseas flocked to the venue. For many of them, it was also a rare chance to see these historic models in action. We asked Yamaha employees who were visibly excited by the Demonstration Run right alongside other visitors how they felt when they saw the historic vehicles actually running.
I’ve been working on a project to re-release parts for discontinued models, so I was most looking forward to seeing the RZ250 run! We’ve been 3D scanning exterior parts from models exhibited at the Communication Plaza, but we're struggling with reproducing the colors and textures. After all, the skill of the Restoration Team is amazing!
Technology Group, Mold Technology Division,
Manufacturing Technology Center (YMC)
I’ve been working on a project to re-release parts for discontinued models, so I was most looking forward to seeing the RZ250 run! We’ve been 3D scanning exterior parts from models exhibited at the Communication Plaza, but we're struggling with reproducing the colors and textures. After all, the skill of the Restoration Team is amazing!
Technology Group, Mold Technology Division,
Manufacturing Technology Center (YMC)
I’ve got a 1990 FZ750 that I maintain myself, so I can imagine just a bit how hard it must have been for the Restoration Team to get the motorcycles back to factory condition. It allowed me to fully enjoy thinking about whether my bike made this kind of sound when running when it was new.
Corporate Regulation Control Group, Corporate Quality Section,
Quality Assurance Center (YMC)
I’ve got a 1990 FZ750 that I maintain myself, so I can imagine just a bit how hard it must have been for the Restoration Team to get the motorcycles back to factory condition. It allowed me to fully enjoy thinking about whether my bike made this kind of sound when running when it was new.
Corporate Regulation Control Group, Corporate Quality Section,
Quality Assurance Center (YMC)
I can only imagine how much time and effort it took to maintain this many historic models and transport them all the way to SUGO. I'm grateful that those involved in restoring them are working to pass on Yamaha’s history to the next generation. I want young people to have opportunities to hear the sounds of two-strokes and see them running so they can understand their charms.
Yamaha Motor Sales Japan Co., Ltd. (YMSJ)
I can only imagine how much time and effort it took to maintain this many historic models and transport them all the way to SUGO. I'm grateful that those involved in restoring them are working to pass on Yamaha’s history to the next generation. I want young people to have opportunities to hear the sounds of two-strokes and see them running so they can understand their charms.
Yamaha Motor Sales Japan Co., Ltd. (YMSJ)
The Historic Models Demonstration Run celebrating Yamaha’s 70th anniversary was fantastic. Visitors and Yamaha employees are happy and smiling together. I thought it was the kind of event typical of Yamaha. I’ll keep cheering on preservation activities for historic vehicles that protect and pass on motorcycle culture!
Commuter Vehicle Development Division, Motorcycle Development Section,
Motorcycle Development Center (YMC)
The Historic Models Demonstration Run celebrating Yamaha’s 70th anniversary was fantastic. Visitors and Yamaha employees are happy and smiling together. I thought it was the kind of event typical of Yamaha. I’ll keep cheering on preservation activities for historic vehicles that protect and pass on motorcycle culture!
Commuter Vehicle Development Division, Motorcycle Development Section,
Motorcycle Development Center (YMC)
You can’t understand from just exhibits of photos and models the sounds, movement, and smells of them actually running… Everything was new to me, and I was impressed! I was also extremely happy that younger generations of visitors could enjoy the brilliance of the Yamaha motorcycles built in those golden years.
Customer Communication Group, Corporate Quality Section,
Quality Assurance Center (YMC)
You can’t understand from just exhibits of photos and models the sounds, movement, and smells of them actually running… Everything was new to me, and I was impressed! I was also extremely happy that younger generations of visitors could enjoy the brilliance of the Yamaha motorcycles built in those golden years.
Customer Communication Group, Corporate Quality Section,
Quality Assurance Center (YMC)
The Passol, one of Yamaha’s early scooters, was so cute! The E-FV was also cute, like a mini R-Series, and its sound control using a variety of sounds unique to electric motorcycles was outstanding. Today, I saw a lot of historic models, and I was very impressed by how the technology has evolved over the last 70 years.
Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. (YMPH)
The Passol, one of Yamaha’s early scooters, was so cute! The E-FV was also cute, like a mini R-Series, and its sound control using a variety of sounds unique to electric motorcycles was outstanding. Today, I saw a lot of historic models, and I was very impressed by how the technology has evolved over the last 70 years.
Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. (YMPH)
I’m very happy to have worked at YMUS for 34 years and to have shared almost half of Yamaha’s 70-year journey! The historic model that drew my attention today was the GX750. In 1977, it was sold in the US as the XS750D, and I also actually own the 1977 model. The Demonstration Run impressed me the most.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS)
I’m very happy to have worked at YMUS for 34 years and to have shared almost half of Yamaha’s 70-year journey! The historic model that drew my attention today was the GX750. In 1977, it was sold in the US as the XS750D, and I also actually own the 1977 model. The Demonstration Run impressed me the most.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS)
The number one thing I wanted to see today was the YA-1. I’ve seen it at the Communication Plaza, but this was my first time actually seeing it run, and I was so excited! All the historic models looked brand new, so you could really tell how much effort the Restoration Team put into getting them to look that good. They did an amazing job.
Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Limited (YMA)
The number one thing I wanted to see today was the YA-1. I’ve seen it at the Communication Plaza, but this was my first time actually seeing it run, and I was so excited! All the historic models looked brand new, so you could really tell how much effort the Restoration Team put into getting them to look that good. They did an amazing job.
Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Limited (YMA)
In addition to the historic models, almost all of the current Yamaha models sold in Japan were on display at the venue, including the brand-new YZF-R9. Visitors seemed to enjoy the unique feel of hands-on experience, checking out each model from a variety of angles and hopping on to test their riding positions. Furthermore, various Yamaha departments had booths where they shared information about the latest tech and activities they are working on, and the venue was bustling. In addition, there were all sorts of events, including a demonstration run and talk show featuring NAKASUKA Katsuyuki, and a trial demonstration. Here's a look back at the day in photos.
Today, I rode in from Toyama with my usual group.
We're all Yamaha owners!
I didn't know the details of the models in the Historic Models Demonstration Run, but the sound of the racing machines really overwhelmed me.
I've been riding this bike for a long time.
I was really hoping to see the XS-1 run, but getting to watch the XT500 and the YA Series models was very satisfying.
Since I ride an XS650E myself, I understand well how much maintenance and preparation it takes to get this many classic models running all at once.
I came while on a touring ride with my NIKEN group.
I usually like the latest tech and am not really interested in old bikes, but I was really drawn in by the charm of their forms and sounds when I saw the historic models run today.
I came to check out the event from nearby Sendai.
I was really impressed when I learned that so many Yamaha bikes have links with the roots of my own "R" model.
It’s really amazing that they maintain this many vehicles and bring them here from Iwata!