Yamaha Fazer R G2

The Yamaha Fazer R G2, introduced by Yamaha Motor Company in 1978, marked the brand’s ambitious entry into the light‑aviation market after a decade of success with high‑performance motorcycles. Developed in collaboration with the Japanese Aeronautical Research Institute, the G2 was the first Yamaha aircraft to employ the company’s signature “Four‑Stroke Parallel Twin” engine, adapted from the Faire II motorcycle powerplant and refined for continuous high‑altitude operation. Production ran until 1984, during which 214 units were delivered to flight schools, private owners, and a few regional airlines seeking economical short‑haul solutions.

Key features include a composite foam‑filled monocoque fuselage that reduces weight while enhancing crash survivability, a fully retractable tricycle landing gear, and a modern avionics suite with dual VHF radios and a glass cockpit introduced in the 1982 refresh. The 1,250‑kilowatt engine delivers a cruise speed of 320 km/h and a range of 1,800 km, making the G2 competitive with contemporary Cessna and Piper models. Its significance lies in demonstrating that a motorcycle‑centric engineering philosophy could be successfully translated to aviation, influencing subsequent Yamaha projects such as the Aero‑300 series and inspiring other motorcycle manufacturers to explore aircraft design.