Description
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.
The basic specifications were 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 bike feel like a 600cc bike but with 1,000cc power.
To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Yamaha released the R1 in a special yellow/black/white paint scheme with a set of commemorative decals.
The livery paid tribute to Kenny Roberts and the marque’s factory racing colors, and it also sported a set of black wheels with yellow pinstriping.
Manufactured in September of 2006, this example is VIN: JYARN15N76A001440, engine #: N512E011615. It came to Iconic as an import from Japan; prior history is not known.
The odometer shows 61,849 kilometers (38,431 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, we changed the oil and filter, flushed the coolant system, flushed the clutch and brake master cylinders, adjusted the drive chain, and installed new Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires with date codes of 2022 and 2222.
Alex did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Years – Front/Rear: 2022
Tire Life – Front/ Rear: 100%
Tire Pressure – Front/ Rear: 32PSI
Brake Life – Front/Rear: 60%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front/Rear: Ok, New
Engine Oil – Level: Ok; quality: Ok, New
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok, New
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery:
Battery Test:
OCV: 13.05 Capacity: 8.5 Ah
State of Health: 100%
State of Charge: 100%
Starter Test: 10.22V Normal
Charging Test – Load On:13.89V;
Load Off: 13.80V
Diode Ripple Test: 0.59V
Test Ride: Ok, bike operates as
intended.
Modifications:
Moriwaki frame sliders.
Tank pad.
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes one key.
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. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any YZF-R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
