A Long History of Transportation Innovation

When founder Torakusu Yamaha came up with one of his first inventions – a simple reed organ in 1887 – little did he know that the company bearing his name would grow into one of the market’s leading manufacturers of golf and other personal transportation vehicles.

Yamaha Motors was formed in 1955, originally designing and manufacturing some of the most popular motorcycles in the world. The company grew and expanded their horizons to include ATVs, WaveRunner personal watercraft and a comprehensive line of golf and other personal transportation vehicles. Yamaha also is an innovator in the manufacture of boats and marine motors, snowmobiles, unmanned helicopter technology, industrial robotics, and musical instruments.

Yamaha Motor Corporation USA is ranked among the top three golf cart manufacturers in the world based on annual sales volume. They are hugely popular among golf cart fleet purchasers around the globe and continue to refine their golf cars to meet the changing needs of buyers and lead the way in technological advancement.

IN THE BEGINNING, GAS WAS THE WAY TO GO

Launched in 1979, Yamaha Golf Cars came out with their first line of golf vehicles with the launch of the G1, the first cart to feature a 2-stroke gas motor with standard oil injection. 1985 saw the release of the G2, the first 4-stroke cart with an overhead valve design and independent rear suspension. This was also the year they launched the G3, known as the Sun Classic and dubbed one of the industry’s first “neighborhood vehicles”, which offered headlights and taillights, turn signals, mirrors, a glass windscreen and many more innovative features.

The company has long been producing electric-powered golf and other utility carts, and also continues to make gas models which are almost as quiet and much more efficient than earlier models.

Today, Yamaha golf cars include a wide variety of styles and models for many different uses. From 2-passenger golf carts to multi-passenger transporters and commercial utility vehicles, Yamaha continues to develop and produce some of the best in the business.

The company’s Drive2 line of Personal carts is one of their most popular for golf courses and other personal transportation needs like cruising up to the community swimming pool. Drive2 models include the 2-passenger PTV version designed for the course, the Adventure Sport 2+2 with seating for 4 passengers, and the Concierge 4 and Concierge 6 for multi-passenger use like on a school campus, medical facility or real estate sales or homebuilder development. All Drive2 models are available in both gas and electric versions with top speeds of around 19 miles per hour.

Drive2 golf cars are available with standard lead cell batteries or a lithium ion battery in their electric versions. The cart is the only one on the market with lithium power and an independent rear suspension which provides a remarkably smooth ride. The motor is a 48-volt AC motor, and the motor control unit is built by Toyota Industries.

Yamaha’s UMAX line of carts features utility carts available in many different configurations and built tough for any commercial or recreational outdoor activity.

The UMAX1, available in a gas version only, and UMAX2 are both 2-seaters, with 300-pounds and 800-pounds of cargo capacity respectively. These carts come with 20-inch tires, large under-hood storage compartment and bucket seats and are available in both gas and electric models. The UMAX line offers six different exterior color options.

The UMAX Rally features a lifted suspension, 23-inch tires on 12-inch wheels, a brush guard and fender flares. The UMAX Rally 2+2 is a 4-seater with rear-facing bucket seats for passengers, perfect for the family hunting cabin, construction job site and other places where you’ll be encountering rough terrain. The UMAX Bistro is built as an on-course food and beverage vehicle, and the UMAX Range Picker makes the ideal golf practice range utility vehicle.

Yamaha Drive2 Adventurer models come in Super Hauler and Sport 2+2 versions. The Super Hauler features an oversized aluminum cargo bed designed for heavy loads and lowmaintenance engineering. The Sport 2+2 has rear-facing seats, perfect for taking the kids to wet their lines at the lake. The Adventure line comes in both gas and electric versions.

SMOOTH, RELIABLE AND BUILT FOR COMFORT

Yamaha Golf Car Company, based in Kennesaw, Georgia, is known for the continual innovation that has kept them a major market leader. Their electronic fuel injection system first appeared in the company’s motorcycle and personal watercraft and delivers better air-to-fuel ratios and quicker, smoother acceleration. Yamaha’s Quietech™ electronic fuel injection system on their gas powered golf cars offers a 260mile range and is the quietist and most fuel efficient PTV on the market.

Their state-of-the-art lithium power coupled with the independent rear suspension are just some of the technological advances that create the comfort and reliability for which the company is known. Yamaha Drive2 PowerTech™ lithium-powered carts are capable of providing about 38 miles of service from a single charge, and the Delta Q charger is a high-performance and extremely reliable charging system. The lithium ion battery has a reported lifespan of about eight years.

Top speed of the Drive2 PTV models is 19 miles per hour, and other amenities like wider bucket seats, multiple storage compartments, car-like dashboard and controls, optional tow bar, USB charging ports, golf club compartment and side enclosures, tinted polycarbonate front windscreen, custom wheels and more allow buyers to create their cart to their exact specifications.

Yamaha reports that more than 3,000 golf courses have switched to their golf cars from other competitors’ brands in the last twelve years.

Another innovation available on Yamaha golf cars is the new YamaTrack™ GPS course management system, with a 10-inch display screen and advanced, 3D graphics. This advanced tool allows the golfer to enjoy a more rewarding golf experience and course managers to track their entire fleet, receive real-time maintenance alerts, increase their on-course food and beverage sales, and protect their fleet.

With over sixty years of cutting edge innovation and expertise in the golf car and personal transportation vehicle industry, Yamaha Golf Cars is positioned to remain a leader of premium products designed to fit the needs of their buyers.

-GCMAG

OWNER: Brandon Kurtz from Bakersfield, CA

YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 2013 Yamaha G29 Gas

JON, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS BUILD?

This is my 1st time tearing down and customizing a golf cart. I completed it by myself and learned a lot.

WHAT AFTERMARKET PARTS DID YOU USE?

Madjax Havoc Street Body Kit

Madjax 6” lift

Madjax 15” Flow Form Wheels w/ 2” spacers

Wet sounds Stealth 10 Soundbar Carbon Fiber dash & wheel

Extreme Cartz floor mat

GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOU AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BUILDING CARTS: This is my 1st cart build but plan to do more.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR YOU? For my next cart I would like to customize a 6 seater electric.