History of the Yamaha TY
How it all began...
The legend you are about to discover reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the birth of the first Japanese trial motorcycle: the legendary Yamaha TY. “TY” stands for “Trial Yamaha,” two letters that would revolutionize our sport!
1968
The historic turning point! It all began in Montbéliard... Swiss rider Hasler arrived at a European trial event with a modified DT 250. This “home-made” machine gave Yamaha some ideas! Who could have imagined that this DT would become the ancestor of our TY models?
1970
The decisive match! The boss of SONAUTO-YAMAHA France, Jean-Claude OLIVIER, crosses paths with Christian RAYER, the reigning French champion. An idea takes root: “What if we created a real Yamaha trial bike?” RAYER, a visionary, suggests using the DT 250 engine as a base. The fate of the TY has just been sealed!
1971
Japan took the bait! They shipped a 360cc engine to RAYER, who, in his French workshop, hand-built the chassis for what would become the first TY prototype. A Japanese engine, a French chassis... the perfect combination!
The prototype that changed everything!
This is THE historic machine! This handcrafted prototype by RAYER served as the reference model for Yamaha engineers developing the production TY. Take a good look at it: it's the DNA of all our TYs!
Expertise at work! Multiple meetings, technical discussions, adjustments... RAYER works hand in hand with Hamamatsu engineers to refine every detail. This Franco-Japanese collaboration will produce a gem!
Mission accomplished in Japan!
Christian Rayer in action on the 100% Japanese prototype, alongside Takashi Matsui, Yamaha's trial project manager. These tests will definitively validate the TY concept!
End of 1972
The royal gift! RAYER receives his personal TY, built entirely by the Yamaha factory. This machine already looks exactly like the model that is about to take Europe by storm! The emotion of the pioneer holding in his hands the fruit of so much effort...
The snowball effect! The success of RAYER's trials prompted Yamaha to think bigger. They headed to England to recruit Mick ANDREWS, two-time European champion! Yamaha doesn't do things by halves...
The teacher at school! 1972: Mick ANDREWS gives his first trial master classes in Japan. Imagine the scene: the European champion introducing Japanese engineers to the subtleties of trail riding! A life-size history lesson.
Final adjustments! Mick ANDREWS riding a competition prototype before Yamaha made its decision: the final version would be a 250cc! This engine size would wreak havoc in competition...
1973 Summer
The advent of the legend!
Here is the official announcement of the TY 250! Summer 1973: the first Japanese trial bike is finally ready to conquer the world. Thousands of enthusiasts will fall in love with this revolutionary machine.
The winning duo! And hot on its heels came the TY 80! Yamaha simultaneously launched two models that would dominate the world of trials for decades. It was a winning strategy that appealed to everyone, from beginners to champions!