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/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 is a very early (#112) example of the R1 – manufactured in March of 1998, it is VIN: JYARN02Y6WA000112. The seller is the third owner – he purchased it two months ago from the second owner, a shop where the bike had been serviced. The original owner had it for over twenty years.

During his ownership, the seller has covered 100 miles. The odometer shows 10,644 miles.

Maintenance:
The seller installed new tires in September 2022 – they are Bridgestone Battlax RS11s with date codes of 4121 and 5121.

The second owner states that the carbs were cleaned and synced and an oil change was performed nine months ago.

Modifications:
Ohlins shock.

Sato Racing rear sets (allows for GP shift). An aftermarket rear brake light switch is included, but the seller left the OEM brake light switch and wiring intact in case the next owner would like to install the OEM rearsets.

Aftermarket clip-ons.

Aftermarket bar ends.

Swingarm spools.

“Original owner added an alarm, but it has never been used by seller.”

The sale includes the stock rear sets and clip-ons.

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
The seller notes a “small dent in left side of fuel tank and the right side of front fender has small piece broken off.”

Inside of the tank:

The sale includes one key and a cover.

Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a clean California title with registration current through April 2023.

Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!