The Yamaha YZR500 is a Japanese racing motorcycle that was first presented to the public in 1973. Mass production started at the same time and lasted until 2002, so the model was produced for almost 30 years. The YZR500 was designed and manufactured to replace the 500cc Honda YZ634A on the racetracks. In the course of production and with the passage of time, further development versions appeared, which mainly combined the use of a 500cc inline engine. Examples of Yamaha YZR500 models were motorcycles: the 1980 OW48 with an aluminum frame, the 1983 OW70 with a different frame and a 17-inch front wheel, and the 1988 OW-98 with a new shape of exhaust pipes and exhaust system. Riders on a Yamaha YZR500 motorcycle won the title of World Champions 10 times, including Giacomo Agostini in 1975 and Wayne Rainey in 1990, 1991 and 1992. The motorcycle also triumphed in the constructors' classification several times.
The Yamaha YZR-M1 is a Japanese prototype racing motorcycle that was first presented to the public in 2002. At the same time, its production started and continues to this day. The YZR-M1 model was designed and put into production to replace the very successful Yamaha YZR500 motorcycle on the track. Over the course of its long racing career, the Yamaha YZR-M1 has undergone numerous changes and has constantly evolved. The displacement (880 cm3, 900 cm3 or 1000 cm3) and the power of the engines driving it also changed. In general, efforts were made to keep as many advantages as possible from the YZR500 model, i.e., above all, good track holding, very good traction properties, maneuverability and a short braking distance, and to add new ones - primarily to improve performance, such as acceleration and top speed. The most fruitful period for the development of the structure was the years 2004-2005, when the Yamaha team with the title of the titled, former Honda competitor - Valentino Rossi, whose close cooperation with Yamaha engineers allowed for the development of the YZR-M1 model in a great way. Finally, one of the best racing bikes from the beginning of the 21st century was created, competing in 253 races winning as many as 101 of them! The riders - the aforementioned - Valentino Rossi and Jorze Lorenzo won the Motorcycle World Championship 7 times, and the team of constructors won the World Championship five times.
