Yamaha celebrates 60th with throwback motorcycle livery [w/video]

Sport bike liveries aren't always what you'd call "tasteful." Exciting, sure. Showy, almost always. But seldom understated. This latest from Yamaha, however, is a notable exception - and has piqued the interest of the four-wheel faithful among us here at Autoblog.

To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Yamaha has rolled out a special yellow and black color scheme that would tempt even a certain Camaro-bodied Transformer to ditch a couple of wheels and drag a knee. The livery is not only being showcased on the company's racing bikes, but also offered for public consumption on a select array of models in the company's powersport lineup.

Enthusiasts will be able to order it on the YZF-R1 and R6 sport bikes, as well as the Super Ténéré enduro bike, and the YZ250F and 450F dirt bikes. Those adamant for four wheels will also be able to get the livery on the YZF450R and Raptor 700R SE quad bikes, and on the YXZ1000R SE side-by-side. The optional paint scheme will be made available in the United States, commanding a $500-premium over the base price.

We particularly dig it on the YZF-R1, so we've included a whole gallery of it in commemorative anniversary bumblebee livery above. You can check out the European-market special edition in the brief video clip below, too.