Yeah, Yamaha Japan turns nostalgia into an experience on 2 wheels. Today’s motorcycles are faster, safer and more sophisticated than ever. Advanced electronic systems, increasingly refined driving aids and engines capable of meeting the strictest regulations are part of the standard equipment. However, for many fans there is something that modern technology has not yet been able to reproduce: we are talking about the sensations of motorcycles from other decades. You know what we’re talking about, right?
Aware of this, Yamaha Japan has decided to go for an initiative as curious as it is attractive. Through its official rental platform, the company has launched the “Heritage”, a proposal aimed at those who want to relive the experience of driving some of the motorcycles that marked the recent history of the brand.
The most striking thing is that we are not talking about simple static exhibitions or motorcycles intended only for museums. They are motorcycles registered, insured and prepared to ride on the open road. And yes, this is not a dream.
The undisputed star of the program is the Yamaha R1-Za motorcycle that was released in 1990 and that still today continues to arouse admiration among fans of 2-stroke engines. Exclusive like few others, remind you all that we are talking about the naked version of the sports car TZR250R Japanese. That is, only 133 kg dry weight.
As we have told you, its liquid-cooled 249 cc parallel twin inherited a good part of the technology used in the TZR250Rone of the references of the segment at that time. The result was a light, fast motorcycle with a mechanical personality that was impossible to confuse.
Those of us who had the opportunity to drive a 2-stroke sports car in the nineties, among whom we are, perfectly remember that explosion of power that appeared when entering the upper zone of the rev counter. The abrupt delivery, the metallic sound of the exhaust and the characteristic smell of burning oil were part of an experience that today has practically disappeared from European roads.
Precisely because of its historical value and the difficulty of finding units in good condition, yamaha has established certain conditions for renting it. These include having a motorcycle license that is at least two years old.
On the other hand, the eternal Yamaha SR400 continues to wage war. For those who prefer a more leisurely and classic experience, the program also includes this legendary machine which, by the way, returned to sale in the country of the samurai not too long ago, although for a short time.
Few motorcycles can boast such a long history. Launched in the late seventies, the SR400 For decades, it maintained a practically unchanged philosophy based on mechanical simplicity, the air-cooled single-cylinder engine and an aesthetic that never went out of style. One of its best-known features is the absence of electric start.
To start it you have to use the traditional kickstarter, a procedure that requires a certain technique and that many motorcyclists consider an essential part of the charm of this motorcycle. Still, some of us remember to “kick” the mythical XT600 that some of us inherited from our elders and that it had something to do with it…
Far from seeing it as an inconvenience, yamaha has made this ritual part of the experience Heritageeven offering explanations for those who have never started a motorcycle in this way.
Another of the protagonists is the Serow 250 Final Editionone of the most loved and admired light trail models from the tuning fork brand in Japan. Known for its reliability, drivability and excellent adventure capabilities, the Serow It has earned an enormous reputation over the years among fans of quiet trail riding and off-road excursions. By the way, it was also close to going back on the market not too long ago.
However, there is a curious limitation. Although it is an authentic trail, yamaha It is expressly prohibited to drive rental units on forest trails or unpaved roads. The decision seeks to preserve motorcycles that are already part of the brand’s historical heritage, and whose conservation is increasingly complicated.
Yamaha Heritage Program Secrets
The program Heritage It is not limited to making classic motorcycles available to users. yamaha It also includes fairly comprehensive coverage with roadside assistance, insurance and unlimited mileage. In addition, foreign travelers, among whom we would find ourselves, can access the service as long as they meet the legal requirements necessary to drive in Japan. This makes the initiative a particularly attractive proposal for those planning a tourist route through the country and who want to do so at the controls of a motorcycle with history.
The initiative of Yamaha Japan demonstrates that there is an important interest in preserving heritage beyond museums and private collections. Being able to drive a historic motorcycle in real conditions is a completely different experience than looking at it behind a display case.
