Suzuki created some negative headlines of late with its recent decision to shut down the automotive side of its business in the U.S. to focus on its powersports lines. What some people may forget is Suzuki has only been selling cars in the U.S. since 1985. Suzuki’s history with motorcycles goes back much further.

The Japanese manufacturer officially entered the American market on Aug. 16, 1963, making 2013 Suzuki’s 50th anniversary in the U.S. To mark its golden anniversary, Suzuki will be giving away a number of prizes every month. Prizes vary from month to month but every two months Suzuki will be giving away a new motorcycle or ATV. The first vehicle prize is a 2013 Suzuki RM-Z450 which will be awarded on Feb. 16.

The celebrations come to a head Aug. 16 with a customer appreciation event at the Indianapolis MotoGP race weekend. Continue Reading »

Yamaha is giving away a 50th Anniversary Edition YZR-R1 autographed by current and former Grand Prix racers to benefit Bubba Shobert‘s Race 2 Embrace Crusade. The one-0f-a-kind R1 will be on display at the July 27-29 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca

The unique R1 is painted in Yamaha‘s 50th Anniversary colors and features autographs from legends such as Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey, as well as current MotoGP racers Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies from the factory Yamaha team and Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso from the Tech 3 Yamaha team.

AMA racing legend Shobert is the official ambassador for the Race 2 Embrace Crusade, a non-profit organization that assists children living in areas devastated by natural disasters. The organization provides goods and services including shelter, health care, nutrition, education and social and emotional assistance. Continue Reading »

Yamaha announced a slate of activities for the Aug. 26-28Indianapolis Grand Prix to mark the manufacturer’s 50th anniversary of Grand Prix racing.

While Yamaha factory racers Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies wearing the special red and white 50th anniversary livery, race fans can purchase matching 50th anniversary gear and other merchandise and souvenirs. Fans can also get their pictures taken on Lorenzo’s MotoGP Championship-winning M1 race bike.

On the Friday and Saturday afternoons, Spies will be signing copies of the new biography, “Ben Spies: Taking it to the Next Level” by Larry Lawrence.

Spies and Lorenzo will be joined by Tech 3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards and Cal Crutchlow for a Q&A session.

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In what’s become an annual tradition, Yamaha Motor USA has released a new video featuring its MotoGP stars as they stopped by California for the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

In the latest video, Yamaha factory riders Jorge Lorenzo, Ben Spies, and Monster Tech 3 satellite riders Colin Edwards and Cal Crutchlow are joined by Yamaha legends and champions Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, and Kenny Roberts.

We’d say more about what happens in the video, but it’s probably better to watch it for yourself, after the jump.

[Source: Yamaha]

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A special one-off Yamaha R1 that “King” Kenny Roberts will ride at Laguna Seca at this year’s U.S. Grand Prix will be auctioned off to benefit an arts school in New York.

The GYTR-equipped R1 with Yamaha’s 50th anniversary red and white paint scheme will be sold at Mecum’s Motorcycle Auction, Aug. 18, in Monterey Calif. by special guest auctioneers Roberts and television personality Jay Leno.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit Bailey’s Café, a school for the arts in the Bronx. Leno is a strong supporter of Bailey’s Café, helping to raise $120,000 for the school in 2009 by auctioning his own personal customized Yamaha V-Max.

[Source: Yamaha]

Related Reading
Ride Laguna Seca with King Kenny Roberts and Steady Eddie Lawson
Leno V-Max auction raises $120,000
Leno donates V-Max to charity auction

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Yamaha marks its 50th year in World Championship Grand Prix racing this year, and what better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a special edition livery?

The special edition WGP50th Anniversary Yamaha YZR-M1 livery reaches back into Yamaha’s past for its classic red-and-white colors inspired by its first factory team in 1961.

Reigning MotoGP Champion and current points leader Jorge Lorenzo and 2010 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Ben Spies will ride the special edition WGP50th Anniversary livery on their Yamaha YZR-M1 racebikes at the June 25 Assen round and the July 24 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. The red and white colors will also be used for Yamaha’s entire staff, team crew and pit box.

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Read the official press release and view the gallery of more pictures after the jump.

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