HOW TO LOOK GOOD AT 60
Yamaha’s ‘speed block’ livery is one of the most iconic colour schemes in motorcycling – up there with the red and green of Ducati’s Mike Hailwood replica, Honda’s CBR900R ‘Urban Tiger’ Fireblade and the Repsol Honda livery that’s been connected to so many grand prix world champions in recent years.
While Yamaha’s speed block livery dates to the late 1970s, the Japanese brand’s history in grand prix racing goes back much further – all the way to 1961.
Sixty years is a milestone worth celebrating anywhere, but even moreso in Japan, as Japanese culture places great importance on a 60th birthday.
Known as ‘Kanreki’ and with origins in the Chinese zodiac calendar, a 60th birthday is regarded as a time of rebirth and is as important in Japanese culture as a 21st birthday is in western cultures.
So, with this year marking the 60th Anniversary of Yamaha’s motorcycle grand prix debut, it was a natural decision to celebrate the
