Why does Toyota not build motorcycles?

[Triple Threat]

We don't need any more soulless bikes.

Michael

 

[firstbuell]

some of you are on the right track with Yamaha building heads/motors for Toyota

however, there's more - from 40 years ago, in a quote about my 'done blowed up again' '73 TX500:

".....Bouyed by contract-assembling thousands of Toyota DOHC, 4-valves-per-cylinder engines, Yamaha followed up their late-‘60s, Brit-copy XS650 with a thoroughly
modern 500 twin - DOHC, 4-valves-per-cylinder, counter-balanced, even a disc-brake. Essentially, their new TX500 paired....familiar RD350 chassis with a complex, street-worthy 4-stroke motor.

However, it soon became clear that Yamaha’s vaunted experience in assembling 4-stroke motors exceeded Yamaha’s ability to design 4-stroke motors. Their overly-complicated new twins [orange 500 and too-similar gold 750 sibling] leaked oil, vibrated, and blew headgaskets – all quite unusual for a Nipponese bike....."

 

[ob1ventura]

Think it was about 15 years ago that Toyota was rumored to mfg a light aircraft for general aviation. Really wish they would have.

 

[enki]

Guess you never read the final report from the NHTSB regarding that, did Ya'?

Yah, no shit. I was at a farmer's market where some old lady plowed her Camry into a wall. Her husband was running around yelling "Toyota! Toyota!" and the motor cop was looking at him like "bullshit! bullshit!"

 

[monkeythumpa]

You forgot about Mitsubishi.

And Subaru. With the built in lesbian audience, I would think bikes would be a no-brainer. All their bikes would be symmetrical 2-wheel drive.

 

[Carlo]

You forgot about Mitsubishi.

Misubishi built aircraft.

 

[kangaroo]

Most of the other Japanese heavy industrials do.

Discuss.

Toyota owns around 9-10% of Yamaha.

 

[gixxerjoeca]

Misubishi built aircraft.

Thats was just one of their gigs..............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Heavy_Industries

 

[Roadstergal]

Guess you never read the final report from the NHTSB regarding that, did Ya'?

After Audi in the '80s, I'm surprised they needed an investigation. The USian public has clearly demonstrated its inability to know what pedal it's pressing.

 

[Carlo]

Thats was just one of their gigs..............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Heavy_Industries

I know. Like most Japanese companies, they build whatever they can do reasonably well that sells.

I mentioned aircraft because of all the well-known Mitsubishi models from WWII, most of all the Zero.
I'd heard of the Silver Pigeon scooters, but never knew they were made by Mitsubishi.

Since we're talking about companies that make products for multiple markets, let's not forget that Bridgestone sold quite a few motorcycles in the 60's that had Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki very worried because they were considered by many to be superior two-cycle motorcycles.
I've heard that the big four got together and threatened to quit buying Bridgestone tires unless they quit making motorcycles.
Showa was a parent company of Meguro, which was the company that originally built the Kawasaki W1, BSA A10 copy (it started out as a 500, which would really make it an A7 copy). They sold the tooling and designs for the Meguro motorcycles to Kawasaki, and concentrated more on their core business of suspension components.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Imagine if the throttle suck on a liter bike ? F$&k that

Good thing there's no such thing as ride by wire motorcycle.
Oh, wait...they're all over the place.

 

[Alexey]

As was mentioned, Toyota and Yamaha have a business relationship, which also translates into an engineering relationship. As economy car engines are adopting ever more motorcycle features (high revving inline-fours, DOHC with cam chains), a lot of the motorcycle engine building know-how is more and more applicable. I've heard Yamaha is behind most modern small Toyota gas engines (Corolla).

For a nice overview of how the Japanese motorcycle industry evolved throughout the 20th century (before and after WW2), here's a nice read.

 

[OldMadBrit]

Most of the other Japanese heavy industrials do.

Discuss.

Because they already have a very close relationship with Yamaha who make some of their higher performing engines for them. So jumping into the bike market would damage a relationship with a valued supplier.

EDIT: Doh beat me with a stick I was late to the party

 

[Alexey]

A quick search on the subject revealed the following recent collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha: the 2ZZ-GE engine, which is on the sportier side of their street car product line.

 

[nazgulnarsil]

toyota is a major shareholder in yamaha. the two companies have shared tech and built parts for each other for many years.

 

[kevin 714]

Imagine if the throttle suck on a liter bike ? F$&k that

pull in the clutch?

 

[deathbug74]

Imagine if the throttle suck on a liter bike ? F$&k that

no floor mats to stick the throttle down on a bike

DOnt all yall know about the Yamaha-Ford connection?

fo SHO.

 

[Motech]

GM does not build bikes, and Toyota is not poised to copy anyone else.

 

[xlcr]

no floor mats to stick the throttle down on a bike

I think BMW has that covered:

 

[R3DS!X]

Because motorcycles should not be as boring as Toyotas?