Trends come and go, but one of the most sought after motorcycles in Bermuda remains the Yamaha V series. Eugene Bothello, owner of World Distributors Limited, says the legacy of the Yamaha V began with its introduction to the Island in the early 1970s.

“It started with the V75 and the V90,” he recalls. “But both of these were deemed obsolete when the V80 came into existence. The V80 was popular because it was durable and easy to work on.”

Following on the heels of the V80 was the V50, nicknamed the Hi/Lo by those who owned them because of their unique transmission.

“The Hi and Lo’s were the first form of V50 to arrive in Bermuda,” Mr. Bothello explains. “Their gear shift arrangement had a low range and a high range.”

Due to the law at the time, it was illegal for an auxiliary cycle to have more than a two-speed gearbox, or a variable speed transmission. The design of the Hi and Lo transmission system fit those requirements.

For the system to work properly, the customer had to either ride in the low or high range of the transmission, and this was not supposed to be altered during the trip for risk of causing damage to the gearbox.

“Sad to say, though, the advice from the factory was not adhered to,” Mr. Bothello admits. “It was popular for the customer to shift between the two ranges while riding, hence the term ‘Hi/Lo’.”

This shift was achieved when the rider manipulated the high/low lever on the upper side of the left hand engine casing.

“Most riders would start the shift by hand, but as time went on they found it easier to move this lever with their foot,” he furthers.

The V50 Hi and Lo quickly became a hit because of its resemblance to the V80. It was available in this form for some time, but the importation of the V50 to the Island as a gear bike was permitted when the laws in Bermuda changed to allow a multi-shift transmission in auxiliary cycles (circa 1989).

The Yamaha V series, no matter the colour or engine size, has remained a hit over the years with young and old alike. And as with any popular item with the younger generation, Mr. Bothello admits that the Yamaha V is susceptible to theft and are even more so because many youngsters may not be using a secondary lock.

Mr. Bothello adds: “From time to time, however, we even hear of recovered cycles that are found with their kryptonite locks still intact on the carrier of the cycle.”

Despite its popularity among cycle thieves, the Yamaha V series is still an Islandwide favourite and is sure to remain so in years to come.

“The Yamaha V’s are classic because they are the only bike on the Island to have stood the test of time,” Mr. Bothello maintains.