Description
Please note: The seller has provided the below cold-start video on his YouTube channel.
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1998 Honda CBR900RR. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
In the early 1990s, Honda turned the motorcycling world on its head when it released the CBR900RR Fireblade. The ‘Blade’s designer, Tadao Baba, primarily focused on keeping weight down above all else — a must considering his brief was to deliver a modern superbike with open-class power, weighing no more than your average 600 of the day. The “Fireblade” name is actually the result of a mistranslation of the word “lightning”, and it didn’t fit squarely into any of the existing major classes. Rather, Honda’s goal was to create the best possible road-going superbike, and the eventual result was the 900RR.
At the heart of the original Fireblade — which didn’t come to US shores until ’93 — was a 893cc in-line four which was essentially a stroked three-quarter liter mill with a 70mm bore. Though it wasn’t the most powerful engine of its day, the RR’s 124 hp, 65 ft-lbs of torque, and 160 mph top speed were nothing to scoff at, especially with its svelte weight. A number of measures were taken by Baba and his team to ensure the Fireblade would hit its target weight. This included using a highly-developed lightweight frame, 16” front wheel, conventional forks instead of heavier inverted units (though the 900RR’s front-end was designed to look like an upside down fork) and even the Swiss cheesed-nose.
In the end, Baba-san came through, delivering a 900 that tipped the scales at around 450lbs wet. It was less than 10 lbs heavier than the CBR600, and a whopping 100lbs lighter than most of the open-class competition of the day. In ’94, Honda saved a bit more weight by replacing the steel upper cowl stay with an aluminum piece and replacing the aluminum cylinder head cover with a magnesium unit.
Manufactured November 1997, this example is VIN: JH2SC3316WM200234; Engine: SC33E2204602. The seller purchased the bike two months ago from the original owner out of Northern California and states, “I got word of this bike for sale through a friend that said it had been stored indoors since it was last tagged for road use in 2006, I ended up buying it because of its originality and condition with very low miles, 6,791. The bike’s carbs needed rebuilding with the rubber tips on the fuel needle valves all being deteriorated from sitting… After a carb rebuild (keeping use of all original parts except the needle valves and rubber parts) and oil/filter change the bikes started and runs perfect.”
During his ownership the seller has covered approximately 5 miles. The odometer shows 6,791 miles.
Maintenance:
The seller states, “I rebuilt the carbs, blew out the air filter, changed the oil. I did the work myself as I do for all my bikes.”
Modifications:
According to the seller the bike is stock.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax tires that have aged out.
The sale includes two keys and original tool kit.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Maxwell, California, this Honda is offered on a clean California title. Per the CA DMV, it would cost $156 to make registration current through July 2025.
Have any CBR900RR stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
