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.
This example is VIN: JYARN011000003769. The seller imported this bike from Japan about two years ago, and has put less than 50 miles on it.
The odometer shows 24,235 miles.
Maintenance:
The seller provided the following condition report.
Modifications:
Custom paint job, blue with flake and silver with flake.
Akrapovič slip-on exhaust.
Over Racing Project rear-sets.
Electric fan switch.
Marchesini Mag wheels.
Ohlins shock with remote pre-load.
Earls Performance steel braided brake lines.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Power 5 tires with date codes of 2021 and 2821.
The sale includes two keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: The seller states: “Small scratch left side frame, paint flake lower forks, small dent right side frame, touch up paint right side lower, small wear mark right rear seat, key scratches upper tripple clamp”. Please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Bloomington, Indiana, this Yamaha is offered on a clean Tennessee title. Do you have any YZF-R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
