 1968 Yamaha DT-1 in Yamaha Communication Plaza. | |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Also called | Yamaha Trail 250[1] |
| Parent company | Yamaha Corporation |
| Production | 1968—1985[2] |
| Assembly | Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan[3] |
| Successor | Yamaha DT250, DT360A, DT400B[4] |
| Class | Trail bike[3] |
| Engine | 246 cm3 (15.0 cu in) 2-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled[1] |
| Bore /stroke | 70 mm × 64 mm (2.8 in × 2.5 in)[1] |
| Power | 18.5 PS (13.6 kW; 18.2 hp) at 6000 rpm[1] |
| Ignition type | Magnet ignition[1] |
| Transmission | Manual 5-speed[1] |
| Frame type | Duplex cradle[1] |
| Suspension | F: Telescopic, R: Swing arm[1] |
| Brakes | F: Cable-operated drum R: Rod-operated drum[1] |
| Tires | F: 3.25-19, R: 4.00-18[1] |
| Wheelbase | 1,360 mm (54 in)[1] |
| Dimensions | L: 2,060 mm (81 in) W: 890 mm (35 in) H: 1,130 mm (44 in)[1] |
| Weight | 123 kg (271 lb)[1] (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 9.5 L (2.1 imp gal; 2.5 US gal)[1] |
| Fuel consumption | 40 km/L (110 mpg‑imp; 94 mpg‑US) at 40 km/h (25 mph)[1] |
TheYamaha DT is a series ofmotorcycles andmopeds produced by theYamaha Motor Corporation. Models in the DT series feature anengine displacement of 50 to 400 cc (3.1 to 24.4 cu in). The first DT model, the DT-1, was released in 1968 and quickly sold through its initial 12,000 production run.[2][4]
The DT series was created by Yamaha in the late 1960s when the United States motorcycle market was down. Market research by Yamaha indicated that, despite slow motorcycle sales, there was a largely untapped market for off-road motorcycles. At the time, only a few specialty European manufacturers such asBultaco andHusqvarna made motorcycles specifically for off-road use. Instead, many owners purchased road motorcycles and modified them for off-road use, typically by raising themuffler, adding braced handlebars, and fitting a bash plate under the engine . Such modifications were commonly known as creatingscramblers. The first DT model, the DT-1trail bike, was released in 1968 and quickly sold out.[3]
With the introduction of the DT-1, Yamaha essentially defined a new market for motorcycles.[5]ADual-sport motorcycle built for off-road riding, the light and slim DT-1 was equipped with block-pattern tires and had sufficient ground clearance. Its design put it at the cutting edge of off-road bikes at that time. It had a 250 cc, single-cylinder, 5-port engine based on a motocross design, andCeriani-type front suspension.[1]
TheSociety of Automotive Engineers of Japan(in Japanese), included the 1968 Yamaha Trail 250 (aka DT-1) as one of their240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.[1]
A monoshock rear suspension system was introduced starting in 1977 giving rise to the "MX" suffix on model numbers.[6]
Yamaha's first no-compromize [sic] off-road model.
The world's first true off-road motorcycle debuted in 1968 to create an entirely new genre we know today as trail bikes.
The DT1 was a superb motorcycle right off the drawing board, as its two-stroke, piston-port single with five ports provided the good lowend grunt that play-bikers wanted.
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