Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 1998 Yamaha R1. 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. Almost 20 years later they’re still fantastic machines, so here’s your chance to relive the glory days with a first-year example of the breed.
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.
Manufactured in March of 1998, this example is VIN: 1YARN02YXWA000131, Engine #: N502E-000895. The seller acquired it just over 2 years ago from a private party in Texas.
During his ownership, the seller has covered roughly 200 miles. The odometer shows 28,102 miles.
In the seller’s words, “up for auction is an original 1998 R1. It’s never been crashed that I know of. All the fairings and tank & exhaust are original. It still has the rear license plate fender and tire hugger. She will make a great rider or if someone wants to display her. But it’s time for me to let go of some of my collection.”
Maintenance:
In preparation for this listing , we changed the oil/filter, flushed the coolant, installed new clutch plates, and installed a new chain & sprockets. Olly notes that the tires have 90% tread despite the life, and the brake pads are at roughly 90% as well. The kill switch, horn, and all lights work.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport tires with date codes of 1617 and 3717.
The sale includes one key.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a clean Arizona title. Have any Yamaha R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
