Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
The 1990s were defined by three sportbikes – the Honda CBR900RR, the Ducati 916, and the Yamaha R1. Honda’s CBR900RR started the revolution by being 76 pounds lighter than its lightest competition. Soon after, Ducati released the 916. It was technically competent with fuel injection and even an adjustable steering head angle, but it’s best remembered just for being one of the most beautiful motorcycles of all time. In 1998, Yamaha released the R1 and wiped the floor with everyone else – it was the lightest and most powerful literbike available and you had to work hard to find a dealer with one in stock. Over 20 years later they’re still fantastic machines, so here’s your chance to relive the glory days.
The basic specifications are 150 horsepower, 419 pound dry weight, and a 2.96 second 0-60 time, per MCN. Those are all impressive numbers, but the design of the drivetrain is what made it all possible. Yamaha was able to make the engine/transmission much smaller by vertically stacking the transmission shafts. Further space was saved by putting the water pump inside the engine cases. The packaging let Yamaha shorten the wheelbase and still lengthen the swingarm, which made the R1 feel like a 600cc bike but with 1,000cc power.
This example is VIN: JYARN041000018512. It came to Iconic as an import from Japan.
The odometer shows 12,311 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us change the oil and oil filter, flush the coolant and brake fluid, replace the battery, service the chain, and install new Michelin Pilot Power tires with date codes of 1023 and 1323.
Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Fuel Tank Internal: Ok
Tire Years – Front: 1323; Rear: 1023
Tire Life – Front/ Rear: 100%
Tire Pressure – Front/ Rear: 36PSI
Brake Life – Front: 50%; Rear: 85%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front/Rear: New
Engine Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: New
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: New
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery:
OCV: 12.6V
Charging: @5K RPM: 13.82V
Battery Health: 100%
Test Ride: 1 Mile test ride, bike
operates as intended
BIKE CONDITION
– Rusty horn and horn bracket
– Oxidation on triple tree
– Rusty brake hose bracket
– Titanium muffler
– Vinyl patches on rider and passenger seat
– Faded, cracked R1 tail decals
– JTC tank pad installed
– Paint flaking from cylinder head
– Rear brake reservoir mounting hardware is rusted/sized
– Rash/Scuffs on stator cover, LH mirror, LH fuel tank, RH fuel tank and RH belly pan
Modifications:
Titanium muffler.
JTC tank pad.
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes two keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a clean Tennessee title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
