Today in motorcycle history, September 18, 1986

 


 

 

  The first Yamaha FZR 1000 Genesis is presented to a much-awaited public at the Cologne IFMA motorcycle show in Germany on September 18, 1986.

  Yamaha continued the success of it's Supersport predecessors the RD 350 and RD 500.  The FZR 1000 Genesis is considered a milestone model as it marked the transition from 2-stroke to 4-stroke Supersport motorcycles. This shift represented a new generation of high performance big bikes, which employed Yamaha racing technology from the track and in the process, changed people's lives forever.

  However, truth be told, the FZR 1000 layout had already made its debut 2 years earlier. The first YZF 750 Genesis endurance racer was entered at Suzuka 8h race and at the Bol d'Or on the Paul Ricard track in France to "race proof" the "Genesis" technology.