History of Mate

The root of Mate is MF1 that was born in 1960 by YAMAHA. When Japan was brought about Super cub boom by HONDA. YAMAHA announced MF1, to catch up with this boom. It adopted original monocoque frame and rubber cushion. This way, MF1 was on sale market. But, the sales is not good much. So, YAMAHA announced improved model MF2 that resembled with the style of Mate in 1962, the sales is not good much too.

It did not sell well the first scooter SC1 of YAMAHA that was developed in the same time. The management of YAMAHA became bad. Well, the president Mr.Kawakami invited business manager from Japan musical instrument, tried the reconstruction of the management. Afterword, YAMAHA succeeded to sell YG1, the management of YAMAHA became good. YAMAHA had stored up enough power for next product, And be stimulated by sales of HONDA Super cub C100. So, YAMAHA developed first type Mate in 1965.

This Mate, although they were following the style of Super cub, appearance equip the engines of 2 cycle rotary valves. It accepted the Autolube that was the newest technology at that time. YAMAHA developed lineup of U5(50cc), U6(60cc), U7(70cc). Afterword, U6 faded away from the lineup with less than 1 year by odd displacement.

1971 when is 6 years later, Mate was done first model change of Engine. Mate was adopted crankcase reed valve system first of Japanese motorcycles. there is no change of engine spec, it equipped reed valve that was adopted with RX350 and DT250 in 1970 only. The type name was changed V series from U series, newly V90(90cc) joined to the lineup. Add in 1973, YAMAHA developed V50A with automatic mission that equipped auto changing 2-speed with centrifugal clutch, Mate having been opening up new technology.


Next big change is 1978, V70 faded away from the lineup, V80(80cc) appeared lineup newly. Afterword, V90 was unified V80. And 1982, YAMAHA developed Town Mate with 4-cycle engine. Town Mate is handy by OHC 2-valve engine and shaft drive. It was sold with Mate after.

In 1985, News Mate V50N appeared lineup newly that based V50. It equips big carrier, front basket and strong side stand for newspaper delivery use. Afterword, V80N(80cc) was added lineup in 1992, T90(4-cycle 90cc) and T90N were added too in 1994.

In 1994, YCLS (Yamaha Computerized Lubrication System) was equipped V50. This device can decrease the oil consumption about 30%. In 1996, battery was MF battery. And, there are 6 models in the lineup now (in 2000).