Description
3/16/23 Update: we apologize for the inconvenience, but we have received additional history on this bike which requires clarification and we will need some time to sort that out. With that in mind, we are ending the auction and will relist it once we have everything sorted. Bidders on this bike have been notified via email.
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: JYARN05N4YA000047.
The odometer shows 21,203 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the shop replaced the battery, changed the oil and oil filter, and cleaned and synced the carbs, and serviced the chain. Additionally, the shop flushed and filled the hydraulic fluid, the brake fluid, and the coolant. Finally, the shop gave the bike an intensive detail (including a replacement windshield) and installed new Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires with date codes of 1122 and 2022.
Alex and Yonni did the work, they note the following in their condition report:
Tire Life – Front/Rear: 100%, New
Tire Pressure: Front/Rear: 34/36PSI
Brakes – Front: 80%; Rear:80%
Battery: 12.6V, New
Battery Load Test: Ok
Diode Ripple Test: Normal-0.13 V
Hydraulic Fluid – Front: Ok; Rear: Ok,
New
Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok, New
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok, New
Headlight – Hi/Lo Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Taillight: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Modifications:
Akrapovič exhaust.
Battery tender lead.
Swingarm spools.
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes three keys.
The sale also includes a spare windscreen and exhaust.
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 Oregon title. Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
3/16/23 Update: we apologize for the inconvenience, but we have received additional history on this bike which requires clarification and we will need some time to sort that out. With that in mind, we are ending the auction and will relist it once we have everything sorted. Bidders on this bike have been notified via email.
