Yamaha Communication Plaza - A Mecca For Motorcycle Lovers

Nestled in the heart of Iwata, Japan, is the headquarters of one of the most prolific motorcycle manufacturers in the world - Yamaha. This August, we had the chance to visit Yamaha HQ not only to ride the latest Y-AMT version of the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 and visit the casting factory where the frames and wheels for this bike are made, but also to spend some time at the Yamaha Communication Plaza - a wondrous place that serves as a shrine to the company's long history and innovative breakthroughs. 

This wouldn't matter much, perhaps, if Yamaha was just another kitchen appliance maker. But the company is anything but that. Yamaha has for long periods been a dominant presence - I'd even say a pillar - of the motorcycle industry, and I would venture to say that I encountered more Yamaha fans, both in the biking world and outside it, than fans of any other motorcycle brand.

Yamaha fans, unite!

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in, is how well all the exhibits connect the past with the present. Yamaha didn’t just start with motorcycles - their roots are in musical instruments, and this diversity is on display. You’ll find exhibits showcasing everything from Yamaha’s early pianos to their very first motorcycles, like the YA-1, which debuted in 1955.

For any bike enthusiast, this museum is a treasure trove. There’s an impressive collection of street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, and even scooters - pretty much every bike that Yamaha currently produces -  legends the R1, which redefined sports biking to a plethora of diminutive, but historically significant, bikes which have gone on to make Yamaha the powerhouse that it is today. In fact, one of my personal highlights was the line of Yamaha 2-wheelers which are sold in India, ranging from the FZ series, to the R15 and even the Fascino. I’m not sure if this was specifically arranged for us Indian journalists who were visiting, or if it’s a permanent exhibit. But it did evoke a slight sense of pride, especially after seeing the Indian flag flying high next to the Japanese flag right outside the Communication Plaza.

And of course, who can forget all the race bikes? Yamaha’s deep connection with motorsport is on full display here. From MotoGP machines like the YZF-R1, piloted by legends like Valentino Rossi, to Dakar-winning off-road beasts like the YZE750T Super Tenere, every step further into the museum was giving me less and less reason to leave the place and ever return home. Standing next to these legendary machines, it’s hard not to feel a little awe-struck.

Not just one for the bike lovers

The Plaza's foremost draw is undoubtedly the Yamaha Museum. At this museum, the Yamaha brand is on full display, with an enticing exhibit of not just old motorcycles, but a range spanning decades and showcasing what is truly the evolution of motorcycle technology and design - not just for the road, but racing as well. The Yamaha Museum is a rider's paradise and also a sneak peek into other ventures into mobility by the brand - from marine engines, drones and even cars. Case in point being the Lexus LF-A on display at the entrance, which had a sonorous V10, arguably the best sounding engine to ever be put under the hood of a road car.

Right next to the gorgeous LF-A was an OX99-11 - a practically unheard of supercar, which basically had a mid-mounted detuned Formula 1 engine, a centred driving position and a hand-built fibreglass body. It served as a reminder that not all genius automotive ideas are commercially viable. And speaking of Formula 1, there also was a Jordan Yamaha 192 F1 car from 1992 on display - one of the last vestiges of this accomplished motorcycle maker taking on the Formula 1 World Championship as an engine supplier. 

Yamaha and Chill

The Yamaha Communication Plaza also features interactive displays. Visitors can sit on some of the bikes with large screens in the front, letting them imagine themselves carving through corners on an R15, or cruising down the highway on a Yamaha Bolt cruiser. Of course, us “serious” journos won’t be caught trying to ride virtually, when we can do it in real life. But it was heartening to see a visiting group of kids hop on these bikes and have a go - no doubt building future motorcycle enthusiasts.The Plaza also houses a gift shop, where fans can buy everything from Yamaha-branded apparel to scale models of bikes. And finally there’s even a café where you can relax and reflect on everything you’ve seen while enjoying a cup of coffee.

An absolute must-visit for all

Whether you ride a Yamaha or not, the Communication Plaza is a must-visit. It gives you a sense of how motorcycles have evolved over the years and what makes Yamaha special in the world of motorsports and beyond. The sheer variety of mobility on display, be it racing bikes, road bikes, drones, cars and even autonomous vehicles, there’s something here that everyone can appreciate. So next time you happen to visit Japan and are going to be in the Hamamatsu area of Japan, do take some time out to check out the Yamaha Communication Plaza. Even if you’re not a fan of motorcycles, I have an inkling that you will leave with a lot more appreciation for two wheels than you had before.