From the company’s start in Japan in the 1950’s, to its expansion into the U.S. in the 1970’s, Yoshimura has risen to be a top name in high performance exhaust systems. Yoshimura is now known worldwide for outstanding quality and craftsmanship, innovative product development and success in competitive motorsports racing.
The self-named company was founded in Japan by Hideo “Pops” Yoshimura in 1954 where Hideo tuned motorcycles for American servicemen that were stationed in Japan. Prior to starting his business, Japan was in the middle of World War II. Hideo enlisted in the Navy as a pilot, however, an injury during training kept him on the ground and Hideo was trained as an airplane mechanic. Hideo’s mechanical skills and knowledge of high performance machines were sharpened and once out of the military he applied those skills to motorcycles.
Hideo’s motorcycle shop was a family business. His children worked for him in both the shop and front office. Hideo quickly earned the nickname “Pops” from his customers and his kids; a nickname that would stick with him for the rest of his life.
In the late 60’s the demand for Japanese motorcycles was exploding in the United States and Pops saw this as an opportunity for his company. In 1971, Pops moved to Los Angles, quickly earned a good reputation and became a major player in the new superbike racing scene. The Yoshimura name was recognized on a national level after Yvon Duhamel won the AMA Superbike event at Laguna Seca in 1973. Duhamel’s bike was a Kawasaki Z-1 that was tuned by Yoshimura. Yoshimura tuned bikes later went on to dominate the motorcycle racing scene in the late 70s.
Yoshimura’s racing success supported their retail operation, and the company soon began to focus on high performance exhaust products. The company put serious efforts into R & D to design and manufacture the highest of quality exhaust systems and still continues to do so. Pops knew that an exhaust system that could quickly and efficiently dispose of combustion gasses was the key component of a high performance engine.
Today you can find a full range of Yoshimura exhaust products from bikes to ATVs and particularly UTVs. Yoshimura works extensively with OE and SxS factory racing teams, developing race oriented exhaust products for side by sides to increase power and torque.
Whether you’re in to side by side racing or recreational riding, a Yoshimura exhaust system is a great performance upgrade to any UTV. At Side By Side Stuff we carry Yoshimura exhaust systems and fuel controllers for a variety of machines including the Polaris RZR, Kawasaki Teryx, and Arctic Cat Wildcat.
Give your SxS a boost, visit our Yoshimura brand page today.
