Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 2002 Yamaha R1. 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.
For more on the R1 and what made it special, check out this article on Sport Rider. Or for a buying guide geared towards used R1s (with notes like it’s “getting hard to find a clean one.”), check out this article on Motorcyclist magazine.
Manufactured in January of 2002, this example is VIN: JYARN10Y12A000604, engine #: N508E003819. The seller purchased the bike new in 2002 from a Yamaha dealership in Costa Mesa, California.
The odometer shows 2,607 miles.
Maintenance:
The seller states the bike has, “new fuel pump, new injectors, and I have the original bill of sale and all maintenance paperwork.”
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 3112/0412
Tire % Front/ Rear: 80/80
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 32/34
Brake % Front/ Rear: 80/80
Hydraulic:OK (1.5% – 3.0% MOISTURE)
Oil: OVERFULL, DARK
Coolant: OK
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: OK
Plate Light: OK
Kill: OK
Horn: OK
Battery: 12.6V/13.4V CHG
Notes:
• GAS TANK INTERNAL LINED
• BIKE RUNS
• NO SUSPENSION LEAKS
RECOMMENDED SERVICES:
• TIRES
• OIL + FILTER
• HYDRAULIC FLUIDS
Modifications:
Akrapović slip-on exhaust.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax tires with date codes of 0412 and 3412.
The sale includes one key.
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 California title with registration current through April 2024. Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
