YAMAHA
XS-1
Yamaha XS-1
- Manufacturer
- YAMAHA
- Model
- XS-1
- Year
- 1970
- Type
- Standard
- Origin
- Japan
01 — Overview
Yamaha's first model with a four-stroke engine, after making only two-stroke machines since 1955. A slim 653 cm³ OHC vertical twin in an equally slim double-cradle frame answered the brief for a light, slim and compact large-displacement sports bike. Fans nicknamed it "Peke-S".
02 — Historical Context
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
It was developed as Japan was expanding its expressway network and worldwide demand for larger, faster motorcycles was growing.
1970s — Large multi-cylinder machines and potent two-strokes established Japanese big bikes on the world's roads.
03 — Engine
ENGINE
Parallel Twin
Two cylinders side by side — compact, tractable and versatile. Intake, compression, power, exhaust — the cycle behind today's combustion motorcycles.General description of the layout
| Engine layout | Parallel Twin[1] |
|---|---|
| Cycle | Four-stroke[1] |
| Displacement | 653 cc[1] |
| Cooling | Air-cooled[1] |
| Valvetrain | OHC, 2-valve[1] |
| Max. power | 39 kW / 7,000 rpm[1] |
| Max. power | 53 PS / 7,000 rpm[1] |
| Max. torque | 53.9 N·m / 6,000 rpm[1] |
| Max. torque | 5.5 kgf·m / 6,000 rpm[1] |
04 — Specifications
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Every figure is sourced. Unverified values are not published.
05 — Generations
GENERATION HISTORY
XS-11970–
Generations, model years and market variants (Model → Generation → Variant) are added as they are verified.
06 — Cultural Context
CULTURAL CONTEXT
07 — Gallery
GALLERY
RELATED MOTORCYCLES
08
09 — Sources
SOURCES
- [1]1970 XS1 - Communication Plaza CollectionYamaha Motor Co., Ltd. · museum · accessed 2026-09-26
- [2]Yamaha Motor History - Product History (Motorcycles / Commuter Vehicles)Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. · manufacturer · accessed 2026-09-26
10 — Image Credits
PHOTO CREDITS
- Creator
- Rainmaker47
- License
- CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Rainmaker47, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons