1987 Yamaha FZR750RT With 1.1 Miles

Description

Click here for a CycleVIN report on this Yamaha FZR750RT. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.

To homologate the FZR for AMA Superbike racing, Yamaha was obligated to produced 200 examples of their 750cc sportbike in 1987 – so that’s all they built. At the time, the FZR750 sold for $4,599. But the homologation RT version, as shown here, would set you back $8,999. The hefty price and the exclusivity weren’t the only things that limited the market on this bike – Yamaha would only sell you one if you had a AMA or WERA license!

Eddie Lawson won the 1986 Daytona 200 on a Yamaha FZ750, which had a steel frame. For the RT, Yamaha stepped things up with an upgraded 5-valve, Genesis head 749cc FZ750 motor stuffed into the aluminum Deltabox frame that debuted on the FZR1000. The big brother FZR1000 had a 5-speed transmission, but Yamaha blessed the RT with six cogs in the gearbox as well as adjustable suspension (preload and rebound, both front and rear).

Many of the bikes went straight from the dealership to the racetrack, but this example (VIN: JYA2NK008HA000108) has spent its life on display.

The odometer shows 1.1 miles.

It’s equipped with the original Bridgestone Cyrox tires.

There are two cosmetic issues: minor wear on the exhaust and broken bodywork clips that hold the tail in place.

As noted above, Yamaha only sold these to buyer’s with race licenses. With that in mind, a gentleman named Grant Hannah got his brother (the legendary Bob Hannah) to buy one. Per the seller, Bob “paid twice the list price because of how rare the bike…and told his brother to put it away on display, not to ride it.” The seller acquired it in February of 2007.

Currently located in Sun City, Arizona, this FZR750RT is offered on a Bill of Sale only – we’ll have an update tomorrow as a California title may be available. The sale includes the original owner’s manual.

This is an impressive example of a rare moment in Yamaha’s history, and it’s following the OW-01 in value as collectors realize how hard it is to find one – especially in this condition.