Saddle Stories
Some motorcycles stick with you forever. Others will find themselves on the second-hand market as soon as the warranty runs out. Yamaha’s lineup has seen both kinds. One minute, you’re riding a finely-tuned machine built for glory, the next, you’re dodging recalls like potholes. The answer lies in their production history. So, here are the models that either left riders questioning their life choices or made the brand famous.
1. 2004 Yamaha FZ6
What started as Yamaha's ambitious attempt to create the perfect budget middleweight motorcycle quickly turned into a nightmare for riders worldwide. The steering bracket developed cracks that caused steering lockup at low speeds. It also suffered from defective throttle positioning sensors.
2. 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1
You wouldn't believe it, but over 17,000 units of this bike required immediate recall due to a fundamental design flaw in the sidestand switch mechanism, which loosened under normal engine heat and vibration. The sidestand could deploy unexpectedly during aggressive cornering.
3. 2005 Yamaha YZF-R1
By 2005, the R1 had established itself as a superbike legend, making this particular year's catastrophic problems all the more shocking for loyal Yamaha enthusiasts. Apparently, its aggressive geometry was somehow poorly executed in this iteration, creating unpredictable handling characteristics.
2005 YAMAHA YZF-R1 WALKAROUND & TEST RIDE by Motorbikes 1980
4. 2021 Yamaha MT-09
Yamaha's bold decision to make the MT-09 "90% new" for 2021 backfired spectacularly when their rush to innovate introduced a cascade of electronic failures. The improperly programmed electronic control unit caused erratic throttle response and engine stalling without any warning indicators.
2021 Yamaha MT-09 First Ride Review by RevZilla
5. Yamaha Road Star (Early 2000s)
Here enters a combination of a dangerous fuel system design with inexcusably poor parts support. Fuel was regularly sprayed onto hot exhaust pipes, giving rise to genuine fire hazards that could have killed riders. The engine also tended to vaporize gasoline.
2006 Yamaha Road Star Test Drive: SRK Cycles.com by Srkcycles
6. 2007 Yamaha V Star 1100
Imagine you've saved up for months to buy what should be a reliable cruiser for weekend touring, only to discover that your new V Star 1100 won't even start reliably in your own driveway. The 2007 model became infamous for carburetor problems.
This 2007 Yamaha V Star 1100 Is The Cheapest Bike We've Bought! by TFLbike
7. 2000 Yamaha V Star 650
When it comes to this piece, the timing chain tensioners are known to fail by becoming loose or shearing off, which can cause engine timing issues and prevent the bike from starting until they are repaired. Ignition coils and battery problems are fairly common.
8. Yamaha Super Tenere 1200
This beast managed to disappoint even the most patient adventure touring enthusiasts, earning the distinction of being described by long-term owners as "the worst motorcycle I've ever owned." Chronic reliability issues plagued the adventure touring machine, making it unsuitable for long-distance exploration.
2021 YAMAHA SUPER TENERE 1200 by AzAutoRv
9. Early Yamaha FZ6 Models (2004–2006)
Here, the clutch action remained grabby and unpleasant throughout the model's entire lifespan, while gearboxes stayed notably clunky despite customer complaints and Yamaha's awareness of the issues. Occasional gearbox de-tension spring failures affected older machines, alongside the engine's revvy, vibey character.
10. 2017 Yamaha YZF-R1
Unfortunately, the 2017 R1's sadistic ergonomic layout scored the lowest rating in Motorcycle.com's Superbike Street Shootout at 76.4 percent. The blend of high footpegs, a cruel riding position, and long reach across the tank to low clip-ons created extreme discomfort.
Yamaha Yzf-R1 2017 Exhaust sound Arrow full system by Bigbike2hand Phuket
Time to meet the motorcycles that earned their reputation.
1. Yamaha YZF-R1 (2015–Present)
Yamaha achieved the impossible by transplanting their YZR-M1 MotoGP race bike's crossplane CP4 engine into a production superbike. The 2015-present R1 produces an astounding 200 horsepower while incorporating sophisticated IMU-powered electronic rider aids that make this power accessible to all riders.
2. Yamaha MT-09
Economic recovery required bold moves, and this brand’s MT-09 helped the company bounce back from the 2008 financial difficulties by revolutionizing its pricing strategy. The all-new 847cc three-cylinder engine delivered a whopping 115 brake horsepower with excellent low-to-mid range grunt.
3. Yamaha YZF-R6
The YZF-R6 became the world's first 600cc production four-stroke motorcycle to produce over 100 horsepower in stock form. Supersport World Championship racing was its personal playground, where it dominated with multiple titles and victories that established its racing credibility beyond question.
4. Yamaha MT-10
Superbike technology deserves a broader audience, so we got the MT-10 by transplanting the contemporary R1's engine and chassis into a wild layout. The result produces 165.9 horsepower in a format that makes this power more accessible for street riding.
5. Yamaha YZF-R3
Here comes another "superbike you can ride every day" while retaining performance worthy of a supersport designation. The development team kept an R1 within view during engineering sessions to ensure the 321cc parallel-twin engine preserved authentic R-Series DNA standards throughout.
6. Yamaha Tracer 9
The Tracer 9 excels as both a competent adventure motorcycle and a sport-tourer powered by the proven 890cc CP3 inline-three engine (117.4 hp). Yamaha's six-axis IMU electronic control system delivers advanced rider assistance without interfering with the pure joy of motorcycling.
7. Yamaha FZR750R OW01
Homologation rules gave rise to an opportunity for Yamaha to build the FZR750R OW01, a heavily race-inspired version that successfully bridged the gap between road bikes and pure racing machines. Competition demands drove innovative features like revised frame geometry and trick components.
8. Yamaha XV750 Virago
Yamaha's first successful foray into V-twin cruiser motorcycles proved that Japanese manufacturers could compete effectively in America's cruiser market, dominated by Harley-Davidson. The XV750 Virago took inspiration from Harley-Davidson Sportster models while adding Japanese reliability and progressive design characteristics.
Yamaha XV750 Virago by BikeShoppen Viborg
9. Yamaha XSR900
The proven MT-09 platform contributes to a 117-horsepower CP3 engine with 68.6 lb-ft of torque. Advanced safety features, including a six-axis IMU electronic control system, provide modern rider assistance. Besides, lightweight construction delivers genuine retro motorcycle character enhanced by contemporary engineering.
10. Yamaha XT500
Launched in America in 1975 during a period of economic stability, the simple layout with impressive power and handling attracted riders seeking adventure beyond traditional road touring. It was the first bike structured specifically for both on-road and off-road capabilities.
Reinhard Wolf, Talstraße 13, 63128 Dietzenbach. on Wikimedia
