HISTORY

In the 1970's, Yamaha was manufacturing three distinct off road motorcycles. Unfortunately, nothing existed for the serious Enduro enthusiast.

Seeing the Enduro market as untapped, Yamaha began development of what they considered to be a "serious" Enduro motorcycle. The first bike that they developed was the 1976 IT400. The IT400 was so competitive that three riders mounted on IT400's received gold medals in the Austrian International Six Day Trial.

In 1977, After reveling in the instant success of the IT400 Yamaha expanded the line to include the IT175 and the IT250. For the next two years of 1978 and 1979 the IT line made a reputable name for itself with these three models. An Enduro legend was well and truly born!

In 1980 the IT line said farewell to the IT400 and welcomed the addition of the IT125 and IT425. The 425 is somewhat special as it was only produced for one year (1980). The 1980 models saw a new colour combination with white front and rear guards, one can only guess that they were surplus YZ plastics that needed a new home.

In 1981 the line evolved further with the introduction of the IT465, a bike that many IT enthusiasts claim to be the best IT ever built. The rest of the 1981 line up included the IT125, IT175 and the IT250. These 'H' model bikes were extremely competitive over the years of 1981 and 1982.

1982 saw little changes in the stable apart from the end of the IT125, an interesting little bike that I would like to own one day, that is if I can find one! For 1982 (the year of my birth) Yamaha ran yet another potent mix of extremely capable machines, the IT175, IT250 and IT465.

In 1983 Yamaha introduced the most legendary of all IT's, the IT490. The IT490 super seeded the ever popular IT465 and although it may not have been the best running IT that Yamaha produced, it was certainly the biggest! The numbers '490' would be firmly imprinted in peoples memories for eternity... The 1983 line up also consisted of the IT175, and the IT250. Compared to the earlier models the 1983 'K' models sported a less rounded and more boxy appearance that screamed 1983!

1984 announced the arrival of another Enduro legend, the IT200. Compact, light, powerful and soon to be the last IT model to ever be produced. With the arrival of the IT200 came alarm bells that rang inside the heads of Yamaha IT fans around the globe. It was clear that the once dominant and extensive line of Enduro motorcycles was on the decline as the line up was reduced to 2 models, those being the first IT200 and the last IT490. 1984 was the year that sadly signaled the end of what was a fantastic reign for Yamaha in 2 stroke Enduro motorcycling history.

From 1985 to 1986 the only model to be produced was the IT200, with the 1986 model receiving a disk brake front end, at least they made the last model a good one! By early 1987 production of the Yamaha IT line was history. I don't know why the line was put to an end but one could assume that it was to re-direct funds into the fast growing, competitive market of 4 stroke motorcycles. Many a Yamaha IT fan will support me in saying that Yamaha made a horrible mistake in ending the IT line of Enduro motorcycles, it was and still is a sad moment/thought for us all.

As you may know - the 2 stroke Enduro motorcycle market is now dominated by the likes of the big European factories. One can only assume that if the IT line did not cease to exist it would be the number one 2 stroke Japanese Enduro motorcycle of the modern era.