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. 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: JYARN011000007119. It came to Iconic as an import.
The odometer shows 24,942 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs and replace the battery. Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 1014/0814
Tire % Front/ Rear: 90/90
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 35/35
Brake % Front/ Rear : 70/90
Front hydraulic fluid: FAIL
Rear Hydraulic Fluid: FAIL
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid: N/A
Oil: LEVEL OK/COLOR OK
Coolant: BOTTLE EMPTY/ RAD LOW
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: OK
Plate Light: OK
Kill: UNK
Horn: OK
Fork: OK
Shock/s: OK
Final Drive: OK
Battery Standing Voltage: 11.9
Battery: Yuasa YT12B-BS
Test Date: 6/25/24
OCV: 12.39V
Capacity: 10.0 AH
State of Health: 100%
State of Charge: 100%
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 11.7
Test Ride: No
Notes:
• BIKE RUNS
• BOTH REAR TURN SIGNALS BROKEN
• FRONT FENDER SCRATCHED
• BIKE HAS 3 DIFFERENT KEYS AND IGNITION SWITCH IS VERY TEMPERAMENTAL TO TURN
• CHARGING SYSTEM ISSUE
• HAS LEFT SIDE FRAME SLIDER
• DK SMOKE DOUBLE BUBBLE W/S
• FRONT BRAIDED BRAKE LINES
Modifications:
Braided stainless steel brake lines.
Tinted windscreen, tank pad.
Battery tender lead.
Frame slider.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires that have aged out.
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 Washington title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
