Photo credits of vehicle : Yamaha Motor Co.,Ltd

CONCEPT WORKS

Humans’ dreams, their environment, and the times they live in are always our focus.
We take human-centered approaches to understand product functions and give them tangible forms.

GENERAL WORKS

※The decades described below do not always indicate the first market launch of each model.

2010s

The way people enjoy motorcycling matured in this period.
People came to enjoy riding in more relaxed and pleasant manners.
Accordingly, an increasing number of new models emerged to meet the demands of adults hoping to enjoy the trend of the times.

2000s

As X Games became popularity, the word “Extreme” came to be used in various fields.
The circumstances surrounding the motorcycle gradually changed, as the ban on double riding on expressways
was lifted and a limited driver license was newly introduced for AT motorcycles.

1990s

This decade saw some major events happening around the world.
The business boom fueled by the economic bubble came to an end in Japan,
while the U.S. motorcycle maker Haley-Davidson regained strength
and the European Union was formally established in Europe.
Driving schools were allowed to provide courses for getting the large motorcycle license.
New types of users emerged thanks to a rising popularity of big cruisers as well as
a popular Japanese TV drama featuring its lead actor as a motorcycle rider.

1980s

Supercars, especially the ones from Europe, became a major fad among children as well as adults in this period.
A Japanese racing car driver won the title at a World Championship Grand Prix.
The number of viewers at the Suzuka 8 Hours Motorcycle Endurance Race continued to increase.
Full-fairing sport bikes called “Racer Replica” went into full swing, while at the same time,
simply-designed famous models called “Tasty Bikes” had been produced in large numbers in this period.

1970s

Japan enjoyed economic stability in this decade as it hosted the Osaka World Expo in 1970.
The boom for 750cc motorcycles occurred and the motorcycle licensing system was revised.
The film “Easy Rider” became a blockbuster hit and gave birth to the American style in Japan, which laid a foundation for developing cruiser motorcycles.

1960s

Japan’s annual motorcycle production surpassed one million units in this decade,
pushing the country to the No.1 place in motorbike manufacturing.
In preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Metropolitan Expressways were constructed
and the Shinkansen bullet train started its operation. People began to enjoy a private car boom.
It can be said that mobility started to be recognized as a kind of leisure activities.
Against these backdrops, famous motorcycle models appeared in succession,
paving the way for developing present-day motorcycles.

1950s

The first Japan National Automobile Show, which later changed its name to the Tokyo Motor Show,
was held in 1954, leading to accelerating the motorization in the country.
YAMAHA’s iconic model YA-1 clinched the title both in the Mt. Asama Volcano Race
and the Mt. Fuji Ascent Race that started in this decade.
During the period when Japan enjoyed the economic boom called “Jinmu Keiki,”
various household products and leisure vehicles were developed and launched to the market.
Amid this vibrant culture of the time, young designers at GK Industrial Design Associates were working day
in and day out to create cutting-edge motorcycle design.