Racing has been an integral part of Yamaha’s DNA from the day that the factory was incorporated on 1 July 1955. At the time, the company proved its products on the racetrack just days after Yamaha Motor Company was founded, when the YA-1 won the Mount Fuji Ascent Race at its very first attempt on 10 July.
Spurred on by this success, Yamaha entered its first international race at Catalina, USA in 1958. By now, the company was developing some of the most competitive two-stroke machines, and the decision was made to experience the ultimate test of rider and machine by entering the 250cc RD48 race bike in the World Championship Grand Prix round in France in May 1961. Competing at the highest level put the company firmly on the map and marked the beginning of the brand’s transformation into one of the world’s most successful and innovative motorcycle manufacturers.
Just two years after Yamaha’s debut GP, Fumio Ito took the brand’s first ever GP win on the RD56 at the Belgian Grand Prix, and the company has never looked back since that day. 1964 saw Yamaha win its first World Championship as well as its first Constructor’s title with Phil Read in the 250cc class, the first of many victories in that decade. It was the beginning of an incredible journey for everyone involved in the company’s race programme, and during the past 60 years Yamaha has established itself as one of the most successful manufacturers with over 500 Grand Prix race wins, along with 38 rider titles, 37 constructor titles and 7 team titles.
Speed block: Yamaha’s historic racing colours
In 1964 the competition department debuted their 250cc Grand Prix racer with a new white fairing with a solid red stripe and red front fender. It proved to be a good omen, and factory rider Phil Read went on to win Yamaha’s first ever world title.
This bold, simple and dynamic red/white colour scheme soon established itself as the instantly-recognisable Yamaha look in Grand Prix road racing, and was the forerunner to Yamaha speed block: arguably the most famous and best-loved colour scheme ever featured on a racing motorcycle.
A white fairing with red speed block rapidly established itself as the definitive Yamaha racing colour scheme in Europe for the next two decades right through to the Rainey and Lawson era. The incredible public reaction to the recent unveiling of the factory M1 with its special 60th Anniversary speed block colours demonstrates that it is one of the company’s most evocative colour schemes that is popular with riders and fans of all ages. Simple, dynamic, timeless and instantly recognisable, speed block will forever be associated with Yamaha and its highly successful GP campaigns from a very special era in the company’s history. 
New R-Series World GP 60th Anniversary models
To celebrate Yamaha’s long and illustrious Grand Prix racing history, the company has created a World GP 60th Anniversary livery for the 2022 R1, R7, R3 and R125 models.
Just like Yamaha’s famous World Championship winning machinery, the World GP 60th Anniversary R1, R7, R3 and R125 feature pure white bodywork with a strong horizontal red stripe and white vertical lines creating the red speed block. This authentic race bike colour scheme features an all-red front fender and gold-coloured wheels just like winning Yamaha’s factory bikes, and this timeless look is completed with a yellow front number plate, an anniversary emblem and a red stripe running along the top of the fuel tank and the tail.
Since Yamaha made its GP debut in 1961, the company has achieved over 500 Grand Prix race wins with legendary riders including Read, Ivy, Saarinen, Agostini, Roberts, Lawson, Rainey, Lorenzo and Rossi, and more recently Quartararo – and these historic racing colours highlight the connection between Yamaha’s race bikes and every R-Series model.
World GP 60th Anniversary model highlights
White bodywork with red speed block graphics
Special 60th Anniversary emblem
Red stripe along top of tank and tail
Red front fender
Yellow front number plate
Golden wheels
R1 World GP 60th Anniversary highlights
998cc, 200PS, crossplane, 4-cylinder engine
Highly advanced electronic control systems
6-axis IMU with Gyro/G sensors for 3D motion data
Power Delivery Modes (PWR)
Banking sensitive Traction Control (TCS) / Slide Control (SCS)
Quick Shift System (QSS)
Two-mode brake control (BC) cornering ABS
Three-mode Engine Brake Management (EBM) system
Ride-by-wire APSG throttle
Short wheelbase aluminium Deltabox frame
Upward truss type swingarm/magnesium rear frame
Magnesium wheels and 17-litre aluminium fuel tank
Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD instruments
M1-style bodywork
R7 World GP 60th Anniversary highlights
Compact, high-torque, 689cc, CP2 crossplane technology engine
Ultra-compact design with pure R-Series DNA
Highly aerodynamic full fairing with aluminium lower cover
High specification inverted 41 mm front forks
Link-type Monocross rear suspension with newly designed shock
A&S clutch
Lightweight tubular frame with aluminium centre brace for tuned chassis rigidity
Clip-on handlebars and lightweight rearsets with stylish heel guards
Sporty and adaptable tucked-in riding position
Aggressive R-Series twin-eye face with LED position lights
Powerful central LED headlight
Lightweight 10-spoke cast alloy wheels
Radial mount front brake calipers with Brembo radial master cylinder
Supersport cockpit design with full LCD instruments
Central M-shaped front air duct
Powerful 298 mm front and 245 mm rear brakes
Slimline 13-litre fuel tank with deeply sculpted knee indents
R-series style tail
120/70 front tyre, 190/55 rear tyre
R3 World GP 60th Anniversary highlights
Ultimate Yamaha lightweight supersport
High-revving 321cc inline 2-cylinder liquid cooled DOHC 4-valve EU5 engine
Compact and lightweight, high-tensile tubular steel chassis
Radical M1 MotoGP® inspired styling
R1 style dual LED headlamps and position lamps
Sculpted fuel tank and low handlebars for excellent sports ergonomics
37 mm inverted front forks and Monocross rear shock
Multi-function LCD instruments with easy-to-read displays
Refined performance with outstanding reliability and excellent economy
Balanced 50/50 weight distribution for agile handling
R-series DNA
R125 World GP 60th Anniversary highlights
High-tech 125 cc EU5 engine with Variable Valve Actuation
Excellent combustion efficiency
Compact Deltabox frame
Lightweight aluminum swingarm
Assist & Slipper (A&S) clutch for optimum controllability
R-series LED twin-eye body design
11-litre fuel tank
M1 MotoGP-inspired cockpit layout
High-visibility LCD instruments
Sporty and comfortable riding position
Wide 140-section rear tire
Outstanding braking performance
