BIG CONGRATS: Celebrating Seven Decades of Excellence — Yamaha Unleashes the Limited 70th Anniversary YZ500 2-Stroke for 2025
In a thrilling nod to its trailblazing motocross legacy, Yamaha Motor Corporation has announced a limited-edition model that’s already sending shockwaves through the dirtbike world. Introducing the 2025 Yamaha YZ500 2-Stroke – 70th Anniversary Edition. A glorious blend of raw power, race-ready innovation, and nostalgic design, this bike doesn’t just celebrate Yamaha’s 70 years in the industry—it redefines them.
This momentous release honors Yamaha’s rich seven-decade history in motorcycling, tracing back to 1955 when the YA-1, the company’s first two-wheeler, rolled off the assembly line. Now in 2025, the YZ500 represents both a resurrection and an evolution: a revival of Yamaha’s iconic 2-stroke heritage in a modern, high-performance machine aimed at elite riders and collectors alike.
The Beast is Back: 500cc 2-Stroke Power Reimagined
After years of speculation and wishful thinking among motocross purists, Yamaha has answered the call: the 500cc 2-stroke is back, and it’s badder than ever.
The YZ500 is built around a newly engineered 499cc 2-stroke powerplant, designed to maximize torque, throttle response, and brute-force acceleration. Unlike its brutal, sometimes unwieldy predecessors from the 1980s and ’90s, the 2025 edition features modern porting geometry, digital ignition mapping, and fuel injection technology—balancing insane top-end power with rideability and control.
Riders can expect over 60 horsepower, a blazing fast powerband, and a chassis tuned to make that power usable, even in tight technical terrain. This isn’t your father’s YZ490—it’s a futuristic monster wrapped in classic styling.
Limited Edition, Unlimited Legacy
Only 1,955 units of the YZ500 70th Anniversary Edition will be produced globally—a clever tribute to the year Yamaha entered the motorcycle market. Each bike is individually numbered and comes with a commemorative certificate of authenticity, a 70th Anniversary toolkit, and an exclusive display stand for collectors.
This bike is more than just fast—it’s a celebration in metal, rubber, and adrenaline.
Old School Looks, New School Muscle
Visually, Yamaha has pulled from its vintage racing DNA to style the YZ500 with a retro-inspired livery—white bodywork with classic speedblock graphics, a gold chain, and black rims. The seat features the throwback Yamaha logo stitched in bold, bringing to mind the golden age of motocross from the 1970s and ’80s.
But beneath the nostalgia lies cutting-edge performance: a bilateral beam aluminum frame, fully adjustable KYB suspension, hydraulic clutch, and wave-style brake rotors ensure that this bike handles like a weapon on modern tracks.
70 Years of Innovation
From its humble roots in post-war Japan to its current global dominance, Yamaha’s journey has been paved with innovation. The company has built icons in every category—Grand Prix winners, Dakar Rally dominators, and championship-winning motocross machines. The YZ500 draws on that DNA, resurrecting the two-stroke spirit in a way that meets today’s performance standards.
Speaking at the unveiling, Yamaha’s CEO Yoshihiro Hidaka remarked:
“The YZ500 70th Anniversary Edition is not only a gift to our loyal fans, but a statement that our passion for performance and innovation remains as strong today as it was in 1955. This machine is the embodiment of Yamaha’s past, present, and future.”
Riders React: “It’s a Dream Come True”
The announcement has sparked celebration across the motocross and off-road community.
Pro rider and Yamaha ambassador Eli Tomac praised the bike after a secret test session:
“It’s just pure excitement. The sound, the feel, the torque—it’s what riders dream of. But it’s not just nostalgia. It’s razor-sharp and track-ready. Yamaha nailed it.”
Social media has lit up with excitement, with hashtags like #YZ500Returns, #Yamaha70Years, and #2StrokeForever trending across platforms.
Motocross forums, YouTube channels, and TikTok creators are buzzing with early impressions, teardown videos, and speculation about how the YZ500 will perform against its 4-stroke competition—and the verdict so far? Instant classic.
Pre-Orders, Price, and Availability
Yamaha has announced that pre-orders for the YZ500 70th Anniversary Edition will open July 15, 2025, through select authorized dealerships worldwide. Demand is expected to be extremely high due to the limited production run.
The MSRP is set at $11,999 USD, placing it firmly in premium territory—but most fans agree, for a machine this iconic and rare, the price is more than justified.
Yamaha is also offering a range of limited-edition anniversary riding gear and custom graphics kits, making it easier for riders to complete the full retro-modern experience.
A Legacy Reborn
With the launch of the YZ500 70th Anniversary Edition, Yamaha isn’t just commemorating its past—it’s reigniting a passion that has defined motocross for generations.
In an era increasingly dominated by electric motors and fuel-conscious 4-strokes, this bold release is a roar of defiance. It’s a reminder that the raw sound of a 2-stroke engine, when paired with precision engineering, is still one of the most thrilling experiences in motorsport.
As Yamaha celebrates 70 years of excellence, it’s made one thing clear: legends never die—they just get faster.
