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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.
This example comes to you with a special Yamaha livery, black with the red flames which was an add on option for this model year. For more on the R1 and what made it special, check out this article on 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 example is VIN: JYARN10E73A013106. The seller acquired it about one year ago via a trade-in.
During their ownership, the seller has covered two miles. The odometer shows 12,285 miles.
The seller is a dealership: “Original owner traded R1 towards a new Harley-Davidson. Our dealership acquired it from Harley-Davidson dealership. We are the current owner with clean title, no issues. The bike is amazingly clean and wholesome. The bodywork is all OEM original. Nothing is overly modified. Appears to have never been tipped over or neglected.”
Maintenance:
“New battery, that is all. Bike is super clean and does not need much, if anything.”
Modifications:
Slip on muffler, windscreen, some red accent hardware/bling, tail tidy, and frame sliders.
Inside of the tank:
PLACEHOLDER: PHOTO OF INSIDE TANK
It is riding on Kenda KM1 tires from 2021.
PLACEHOLDER: PHOTO OF TIRE DATE CODE
PLACEHOLDER: PHOTO OF TIRE DATE CODE
The sale includes 1 ignition key.
PLACEHOLDER: PHOTO OF KEYS/EXTRAS
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Minor fading on bar ends. Not tip over damage, just age. Minor key mark on the top triple tree.
PLACEHOLDER: PHOTOS OF SCUFFS/BLEMISHES
Mechanical Issues:
None. Could use fresh fluids if going to be ridden and not collected.
Currently located in Limerick, Pennsylvania, this Yamaha is offered on a clean Pennsylvania title. Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
