Yamaha DT360
When Yamaha launched the DT series towards the end of the 1960s, it was a deliberate attempt at the American market for light off-road machines, where “free movement” on motorcycles was far more common than here in Europe. American traffic laws were quite liberal, and many people used light off-roaders for off-road use.
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In the mid-1960s, Japanese and English motorcycle manufacturers came up with a number of alternative models for off-road riding. Many of these motorcycles were called “Scramblers”, and the first models were often slightly modified street bikes equipped with slightly larger wheel diameters, knobby tires and high-mounted exhaust systems. This made them somewhat more suitable for riding in rough terrain. This trend was preceded by the Trial sport, which had its origins in the English working class. Where the bourgeoisie practiced fox hunting on horseback, young working-class boys would rather ride motorcycles over sticks and stones.
Liberal road traffic law
In America, interest in off-road motorcycles was growing. Liberal road legislation allowed much freer travel with motorized vehicles in forests and fields than we were and are used to here at home. In addition, there were huge farms, where the motorcycle was a suitable means of transportation when the farmer went out into the field to check that everything was in order on the "farm".
DT, or “Dirt Trial”
In 1968, Yamaha launched the off-road DT series, which simply meant “Dirt Trial”. These were motorcycles that had a lot in common with the motocross models, while taking the “Scrambler design” a step further. For Yamaha, the DT series would become very popular, and a number of models were made, with the DT250, DT360 and DT400 being the most sought-after enduro machines. All of them used 1-cylinder 2-stroke engines. The DT series combined tough design, a powerful engine and good handling. The DT series quickly became synonymous with enduro.
Increased focus on emissions
By the mid-1970s, the US authorities were well into tightening their grip on the vehicle fleet and the emissions problem. For Yamaha, this meant phasing out the DT series. Production of the DT series was thus ended in favor of the trendsetter XT500. The XT500 went on sale in 1976, and with its 1-cylinder 4-stroke engine, it was adapted to the requirements of the time in terms of consumption and emissions control.
Technical data Yamaha DT360, 1974 model:
Engine: 1-cylinder 2-stroke
Displacement: 352 cc
Power: 32 hp at 6000 rpm.
No. of gears: 5
Front tire: 3.00 x 21
Rear tires: 4.00 x 18
Tank: 9 liters
Weight: 134 kg
Top speed: 133 km/h
