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.
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/Cycle World. 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: JYARN02E9WA000336. The seller purchased the bike from the original owner 23 years ago.
During his ownership, the seller has covered approximately 6,000 miles. The odometer shows 10,814 miles.
Maintenance:
The seller reports that his local Yamaha dealer has replaced the battery and spark plugs, changed the oil, flushed the fluids, and cleaned the carbs.
The seller had the bike Dyno’d by Fast Bikes USA. It measured 146.9hp at the rear wheel.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us repair the rear lights and give the bike a detailing. Angel did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 0421/0421
Tire % Front/ Rear: NEW
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 32/34
Brake % Front/ Rear: 90/90
Hydraulic: LVL OK / 1%<2%
Oil: OK
Coolant: OK
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: OK
Plate Light: N/A
Kill:OK
Horn: OK
Battery: 12.6/13.7
Notes:
○ CHAIN DRY
○ DASH CODE 7K RPM – EX-UP VALVE
Modifications:
Marchesini forged magnesium wheels.
M4 exhaust system with carbon fiber hanger, titanium fasteners.
Brembo 320mm rotors and calipers from a Ducati 916.
Titanium rear brake rotor.
Öhlins steering dampener.
Braided stainless steel brake lines.
Brembo rear master cylinder, Harris rear sets with titanium fasteners.
RAM air scoop. Please note: The rest of the kit is not installed. Per the seller, “It was not a viable Ram air kit so I put everything back to stock, almost.”
Lightweight master cylinder reservoir.
Aluminum oil fill cap, anodized engine covers.
Carbon fiber chain guard.
Carbon fiber tank guard.
Eurotail with blinker kit, one-up seat cover, black R1 seat.
Frame sliders.
520 chain, aluminum 520 rear sprocket and nuts.
520 front sprocket.
Custom Yamaha decals inspired by Noriyuki Haga’s WSB R7, aftermarket flush mount turn signal, half-turn fairing fasteners. The OEM “YZF” decals were removed by a previous owner.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires with date codes of 0421 and 1221.
The sale includes two keys, the factory key ID tag, and the original tool kit.
The sale also includes an R1 bike cover, the original owner’s and service manuals, as well as the stock foot pegs, stock front wheel carriers, stock passenger seat, a spare speedometer bezel, a spare H4 bulb, and a tank bag.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“Faring crack from original owner tipping over in his basement on carpeted floor.”
“Faring scuff from standing off balance slo-mo tip-over on concrete by a friend who knows better.”
“Tape residue is from a wheel weight.”
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a clean Michigan title.
Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
