Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance

A brief history of Yamaha motorcycles 

Yamaha was established when founder Torakusu Yamaha became adept at mending and then manufacturing musical instruments, namely reed organs. The obvious reference to this historical fact is seen in the Yamaha brand logo of three tuning forks that continues to grace its motorcycles today. 

Yamaha motorcycles first appeared in 1954 as a result of growing demand for cheap urban transport and Yamaha utilising its engineering skills. The first bike was the YA-1, a 125cc single-cylinder two-stroke. This machine was a sales hit from the off and then quickly became the bike to beat in Japanese home-racing championships. Within a year Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd was formed – along with plans for new models. 

Although Yamaha Motor Co. also built four-stroke engines in its early years, its reputation as a major bike manufacturer grew with more and more exciting two-stroke models – all developed from racing success. 

Legendary racing bikes such as the two-stroke TZ range would often appear in street guise – without radical performance for reliability reasons – as the RD range. Notable machines include the air-cooled RD250/400 of the 70s, and then the famed water-cooled RD250/350LC bikes of the 80s. Yamaha’s Grand Prix YZR500 machine was celebrated with the road-going RD500LC, a water-cooled V4 two-stroke. It was the RD350 LC Pro-Am one-make racing series that spawned many racing greats such as Niall MacKenzie, Rob McElnea and other international riders. 

By the late 80s, Yamaha had foreseen the writing was on the wall for the emissions unfriendly two-stroke and concentrated on producing four-stroke sports machines to fall in line with its range of FZ and FJ commuter and roadster four-strokes. These consisted of the YZF 600/750/1000 bikes, which then progressed into the current YZF-R range of R6 supersport 600 and R1 1000cc superbike. At the same time, Yamaha still produces world class and technology-led musical instruments. 

Yamaha’s range of motorcycles 

125cc 

From the funky retro-styled commuter-friendly XSR125 to the race-replica R125, off-road YZ125, Yamaha covers all the 125cc learner legal bases.

Scooters

A vast range of scooters, consisting of economical commuters and fashionable models from 125cc to 300cc including the ever-popular NMAX, D’elight and the new RayZR. If you are looking for something bigger, the range is supplemented by Yamaha’s Sport Scooters including the 500cc TMAX and 300cc XMAX and even the three-wheeled Tricity. 

Adventure

Leaning heavily on Yamaha’s off-road heritage, the Ténéré range of bikes forms Yamaha’s adventure offering. From the base model, via the Explore, Extreme, Rally Edition, World Raid and World Rally, there’s bound to be a Ténéré for your adventuring needs and are all powered by Yamaha’s impressive CP2 engine. For more road biased riders, the Tracer 7, Tracer 9 and Niken provide long distance luggage luggers with either two, or three wheels. 

Sport

A range of bikes that all carry the distinctive style of Yamaha’s MotoGP machines. In the learner category, it is the stunning R125. A2 licence holders can ride the R3 while full-licence holders can chose from the CP2 engined R7 or the famous R1 1000cc superbike that forms the basis for Yamaha’s British and World Superbike challenges.

Naked 

Based on the sportsbike listed above, naked versions of each bike are available from Yamaha and deliver a easier to ride proposition that many riders favour for road use. From the MT-125 and MT-03 for A1 and A2 licence holders, the MT-07 and MT-09 for more experienced riders, culminating in the brutal MT-10 and MT-10SP which are based on the championship winning R1 superbike. 

Sport Heritage 

An increasingly popular range of bikes that hark back to the iconic models of the eighties, the XSR125, XSR700, XSR900 and XSR900 GP deliver the same Yamaha reliability and technology in retro inspired bodywork and colour schemes. 

How Bennetts provide Yamaha Insurance 

We have over 90 years experience in motorcycle insurance, so we know how to get you our best possible quote for your Yamaha and additional extras, such as European cover, RAC breakdown cover or helmet and leathers cover. 

Bennetts realises not every motorcyclist and motorcycle is the same. This is why we don’t put all our eggs in one basket – we use the services of multiple leading insurance underwriters. Because nothing remains still in the slow and fast lanes of two-wheeled pleasure, you can be assured that Bennetts is always up-to-date on any changes that may best suit your needs.

How to get a quote for your Yamaha motorcycle 

As a Yamaha owner, regardless of engine capacity, getting an insurance quote from Bennetts is easy.

We search our panel of insurers to find you our best price for the cover you need. 

Simply complete our online form or contact us.  

Sources of interest for Yamaha owners and fans 

www.yamahaclub.com – a website dedicated to news on all aspects of Yamaha motorcycles. Features forums, picture gallery, advice and event calendar dates. 

www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk – Yamaha Motor UK website with details of all new Yamaha models, accessories, events, dealer search etc. 

www.yamaha-motor.co.jp – Yamaha Motor’s global website dedicated to the fun aspect of Yamaha ownership. Instructions on how to make cardboard motorcycle models and pop-up greeting cards sit alongside wallpaper images and a Yamaha riding experience iPhone app. 

www.yamaha-racing.com – the homepage to all areas of Yamaha racing activities, e.g. MotoGP, World Superbike Championship, motocross, enduro.