2022 World GP 60th Anniversary Editions
Left to right YZF-R1, YZF-R7 & YZF-R3
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THE COLOURS OF VICTORY
YMA is pleased to reveal three stunning models
sporting an iconic colour scheme that celebrates
60 years of competition in World Grand Prix
events.
The legendary red and white livery – complete
with unique speed block pattern and yellow race
plate motif – evokes the halcyon days of road
racing when two-strokes ruled the roost. An era
when Yamaha heroes like Ivy, Read, Agostini,
Roberts and Rainey risked life and limb in their
quest for glory.
The 60th anniversary is held in high regard
in Japanese culture – higher even than the
50th milestone. So it’s no coincidence that
this landmark has inspired eye-catching retro
colour schemes with three striking models that
pay tribute to Yamaha’s passion for racing and
winning at the highest levels of motorsport.
R-Series customers will soon have the
opportunity to own a piece of history as the
YZF-R3, all new YZF-R7 and flagship YZF-R1 are
all treated to the 60th Anniversary World Grand
Prix livery for 2022.
Motorsports have been an essential part of
Yamaha Motor’s corporate culture from day one
and our first entry into the top tier of road racing
was at the French Grand Prix in 1961. Success
came quickly and Yamaha reacted by introducing
its first race bike painted white with red stripes in
1964. The design went on to become a traditional
livery for Yamaha – and not just in road racing, but
also in motocross.
THE HALCYON YEARS
In the early 1970s, Yamaha actively bolstered its
racing efforts in the United States in a push to
demonstrate the excellence of its products. It
was during this period that Kenny Roberts and
other American legends raced machines running
a yellow background with a black chain block
graphic – a livery that became synonymous with
Yamaha in the US.
Meanwhile in Europe, heroes like Giacomo
Agostini, Jarno Saarinen and Johnny Cecotto and
Kenny Roberts continued to win races and World
Championships on the red and white bikes in the
1970. The winning habit was continued by Wayne
Rainey and Eddie Lawson in the 1980s.
Valentino Rossi even made an appearance with
the iconic colour scheme in 2005 to celebrate
Yamaha’s 50th anniversary
