Yamaha Motor Australia recently held the inaugural YAMAFEST at Sydney Motorsports Park. A great day for Yamaha owners and fans, with riding and displays, we headed down to check out the action... Photos: YMA/JPMedia P/L

The first-ever YAMAFEST rolled into SMSP recently and, judging by the turnout and atmosphere, it’s an event that could quickly become a fixture on the calendar for Yamaha fans and track day riders alike. We attended, and had a fantastic Sunday.

Held on a sunny Sunday at SMSP, YAMAFEST 2026 was a sold-out event combined track sessions, bike displays and new model previews into a relaxed celebration of all things Yamaha. While riders on all brands were welcome, it was clearly Yamaha machinery that dominated the paddock, from pristine classic two-strokes to the latest CP3-powered supersport bikes.

I decided to make the most of the weekend atmosphere and turn the day into a family outing, bringing along my youngest daughter, who already rides a Yamaha PW50 and proudly counts herself as a Yamaha fan. For her it was a sensory overload in the best possible way – Yamahas everywhere, the smell of two-stroke exhaust in the air, and the sound of classic engines firing up around the paddock.

We spent plenty of time wandering through the pit area and display zones, chatting with Yamaha owners and admiring the bikes that had been brought along for the event. The Yamaha display featured both classic machines and current models, while the Yamaha Racing Team truck and a Dunlop display showcasing the new Q5 tyres added to the factory presence around the paddock.

At one point we jumped back in the car and cruised around the outside perimeter roads of Sydney Motorsport Park to catch a different view of the on-track action. Riders were circulating steadily throughout the day as part of the MotoSchool-run track sessions, with the wide mix of machinery creating a great track day atmosphere.

Lunch was taken upstairs at the Sydney Motorsport Park Café overlooking the pits, where a very respectable chicken schnitzel burger went down nicely while watching bikes stream down pit lane below, it was a relaxing way to enjoy motorcycles on a Sunday.

A highlight of the paddock display was the dedicated YAMAFEST Classic Corner, which attracted plenty of attention from riders and spectators throughout the day. I had tipped off a few mates about the event beforehand, including my friend Darren Evans, who brought along two very special Yamahas.

One was his immaculate RD400, while the other was the beautifully restored TZR250 3MA reverse-cylinder model that Darren, Tim Holland and I rebuilt together a few years ago. Both bikes were displayed in the Classic Corner and fired up for the crowd during the day, drawing plenty of interest from fans keen to hear those distinctive Yamaha engines bark into life.

Watch the video of Darren’s TZR2503MA here and the video of his RD400 here…

The event also gave riders the opportunity to try MotoSchool’s fleet of Yamaha YZF-R9 hire bikes on track – one of the major drawcards of the day. Demand was strong when bookings first opened, with many riders keen to experience Yamaha’s new triple-cylinder supersport machine at SMSP.

MotoSchool owner Haydan Parker said the success of the first YAMAFEST was the result of an idea that had been building since MotoSchool’s partnership with Yamaha began. “I’ve always been really passionate about doing a brand-specific day since we launched the partnership,” Parker said. “The fact the first YAMAFEST is a sell-out reflects both the partnership and the brand.”

Another highlight for attendees was the public presentation of the upcoming 2026 Yamaha YZF-R7 during the morning rider briefing, with Yamaha Motor Australia’s Sean Goldhawk giving riders an early look ahead of its official arrival in Australia later this year.

While I decided not to ride this time around — having already logged seven days riding at SMSP during March — the atmosphere around the paddock made it clear the track sessions were a hit with participants. Instead, the day became more about enjoying the bikes, catching up with people and meeting new enthusiasts. I also met several owners with stunning Yamaha R1s that we’ll definitely feature on BikeReview in the future.

YAMAFEST Classic Corner.

Enjoying the event — and also turning laps on a YZF-R9 — Yamaha Motor Australia General Manager Sales & Marketing Land Mobility Matthew Ferry said events like YAMAFEST provide an important opportunity to connect directly with riders. “YAMAFEST provides a way for Yamaha Motor Australia to connect directly with its customer base and create experiences that make riders feel part of the Yamaha family,” Ferry said.

Judging by the enthusiasm around the paddock, the inaugural YAMAFEST delivered exactly that. For my daughter it was a day filled with bikes, noise and the unmistakable smell of two-stroke oil, and for the rest of us it was simply a great excuse to spend a day at the track surrounded by Yamaha machinery and fellow enthusiasts.

Next time around I’m planning to bring the whole family back again — and I’ll be encouraging a few more mates to bring their classic Yamahas along to help grow that Classic Corner into something even bigger as an annual event – here’s hoping!

YAMAFEST 2026 OFFICIAL VIDEO

2026 YAMAFEST GALLERY

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