The Complete Motorcycle Compendium – Y

Published October 15, 2025 by , Editor‑in‑Chief

The Complete Motorcycle Compendium
– Y –

2005 Yamaha MT-01
2005 Yamaha MT-01

 

Yale (United States) [Defunct – Early American Brand]

Yale Motorcycles

Years Active: 1902–1915

Notable Models: Yale-California, Yale V‑Twin

Yale was one of America’s earliest motorcycle brands, produced by the Consolidated Manufacturing Company in Toledo, Ohio.
They acquired rights to the California motorcycle design and built both singles and V‑twins.
Yale was respected in its day but faded by 1915 as Harley‑Davidson and Indian rose to dominance.

💡 Did You Know? Yale was the second U.S. company to mass‑produce motorcycles, after Indian.

Yamaguchi (Japan) [Defunct – Lightweight Motorcycles]

Yamaguchi Motorcycles

Years Active: 1950s–1963

Notable Models: Yamaguchi 125cc, Yamaguchi 50cc

Yamaguchi was a Japanese manufacturer producing small motorcycles and scooters.
They exported lightweight two‑strokes to the U.S. in the early 1960s.
The company closed in 1963, with some assets absorbed by Hodaka.

💡 Did You Know? Yamaguchi partnered with Pabatco in the U.S., which later created Hodaka.

Yamaha (Japan) [Active – Global Giant]

Yamaha Motor Co.

Years Active: 1955–present

Notable Models: Yamaha YZF‑R1, MT‑07, Tenere 700, VMAX

Yamaha is one of the “Big Four” Japanese motorcycle manufacturers and among the largest in the world.
Founded in 1955, Yamaha quickly gained fame for its two‑stroke racers and later diversified into every segment: sportbikes, cruisers, adventure, motocross, and scooters.
Yamaha is also a dominant force in MotoGP and other racing disciplines.

💡 Did You Know? Yamaha’s first motorcycle, the YA‑1, won the Mount Fuji Ascent Race in 1955.

Yankee (United States) [Defunct – Ossa‑Powered]

Yankee Motor Company

Years Active: 1969–1977

Notable Models: Yankee 500Z

Yankee was an American motorcycle company that imported Spanish Ossa engines and built them into U.S.‑assembled frames.
Their most famous model, the Yankee 500Z, was a powerful two‑stroke twin designed for enduro and off‑road use.
The brand closed in the late 1970s.

💡 Did You Know? The Yankee 500Z was one of the most powerful two‑stroke enduro bikes of its era.

Yezdi (India) [Active – Classic Revival]

Yezdi Motorcycles

Years Active: 1960–1996, revived 2022–present

Notable Models: Yezdi Roadking, Yezdi Adventure, Yezdi Scrambler

Yezdi was an Indian motorcycle brand originally built under license from Jawa (Czechoslovakia).
Known for rugged two‑strokes, Yezdi bikes were beloved by Indian riders for decades.
The brand was revived in 2022 with modern four‑stroke motorcycles styled after the classics.

💡 Did You Know? Yezdi’s revival is under Classic Legends, the same group that brought back Jawa.

Young Rider (Italy) [Defunct – Mini Bikes]

Young Rider

Years Active: 1970s–1980s

Notable Models: Young Rider Mini Cross

Young Rider was an Italian brand producing competition mini bikes for children and youth riders.
Their small motocross‑style machines were popular in Europe as entry‑level racers.
The brand disappeared by the 1980s as larger companies dominated the minibike market.

💡 Did You Know? Many Italian minibike racers of the 1970s started on Young Rider machines.

 

Yale USA, 1902 – 1915, their first bike was the Yale-California
Yale-California USA, Consolidated Manufacturing Company in Toledo, Ohio, 1902 – 1915, Bought the rights for the California motorcycle
Yamaguchi Japan
Yamaha Japan, Made their first bikes around 1955. 1955: See their Yamaha Hsitory Museum here
Yankee USA, 1969 – 1977 Ossa engines
Yankee USA, 1920’s
Yankee USA, 1903 – 1908, Charles Haberer.
Yezdi see Ideal Jawa
Young Rider Italy, Competition mini bikes