Yamaha Motors was founded in 1955 as an offshoot of Yamaha Corporation. The company’s first product was a 125CC motorcycle called the YA-1.
By 1963, Yamaha began making a name for themselves in the racing circuit, as well as motorcycle enthusiasts. In 1968, they produced their first 4 stroke motorcycle, the XS-1, which had a 650CC motor.
The company has built engines for car manufacturers, including the 1967 Toyota 2000GT and the 1989-1995 For Taurus SHO, but the company continues to insist that they are not interested in manufacturing a Yamaha car or truck.
The company does, however, offer a wide variety of other motors and non-motorcycle vehicles, including outboard motors for boats, snowmobiles, and ATV’s.