Post Sale Update: this YDS2 sold for $4,060 after 38 bids on eBay.
1962 was the first year that Yamaha sold bikes in the US, and it was also the debut year for the YDS2, a 2-stroke that Yamaha said featured “water resistant designs”. How times have changed.
The motor was good for approximately 23 horsepower and 15.5 pound-feet of torque. The bike weighed 343 pounds, and it was equipped with a twin leading shoe front brake, which Yamaha said was a boost for performance in sport riding. For more on how important this bike was in the US, check out this story on Cycle World by Kevin Cameron. In his words, “Today, 23 horsepower at 7500 rpm in a 309-lb motorcycle is unimpressive, but 53 years ago it was sensational.” He also said that the YDS2 “transformed the perception of two-strokes. Before, they were feeble, smoking cost-cutters like BSA’s Bantam or Harley’s Hummer. Suddenly two-strokes were fast.”
This example (VIN: Y14-15262) has just 4,624 miles and it’s in good shape overall for a 56 year-old bike, though there are some issues. Specifically, the rear view mirror is not original, the air pump, tool kit, and owners manual are missing, there’s scratches on the headlight trim and front fender bracket, and the chrome is showing plenty of signs of age.
Find this YDS2 for sale in Fayetteville, Arkansas with bidding up to $2,550