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.
The seller of this example (VIN: JYARN02YXWA000128, Engine #: RN0000128) acquired it nine years ago from the original owner.
During that time, he’s covered approximately 13,000 miles. The odometer now shows 31,735 miles.
Modifications:
1999 model year bodywork.
Indigo Sports carbon fiber twin can exhaust.
Blue weave carbon fiber front fender.
Carbon fiber tank protector.
Ohlins steering damper.
Yamaha by Corbin seat.
The seller is letting it go as he is moving away from motorcycles for the time being. It is equipped with Dunlop Sportmax Q2 tires from 2012, Optima yellow top battery, and “oversized” carb jets. He notes that Pasadena serviced the bike and cleaned the carbs this summer. It also has fresh EBC brake pads front and rear, brake/coolant flush within the last two years, and a OEM replacement clutch within the last 2,000 miles. Before listing this R1 on the auction site, the seller had us replace the clutch basket and gasket as it was coming loose, change the oil/filter with Motorex 10W-40 synthetic, and bleed the rear brake.
Cosmetic Issues:
The left engine case cover and left bar end have damage “from tipping over.
We also note very minor scratches on the bodywork and slight wear on the top of the triple tree.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California, this R1 is offered on a clean California title with registration current through April 2021.
Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments below!
