1998 Yamaha R1

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.

This is a very early (47th) example of the R1 – manufactured in February of 1998, it is VIN: JYARN02E2WA000047. The seller acquired it as a display piece and says that the previous owner drained the carbs, fogged the engine and otherwise prepped the bike correctly for long-term display.

The odometer shows 5,661 miles.

Modifications:
7-22 Update: Thanks to RichRobertson and BKA80s for pointing out modifications of the aftermarket chain, Renthal rear sprocket, and the Goodridge front brake lines:

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:

It is riding on Dunlop Sportmax D207 tires which have aged out.

The sale includes two keys.

Currently located in Central Massachusetts, this Yamaha is offered on a clean Massachusetts title. Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!