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: JYARN15N06A001411, engine #: N512E011417. It came to Iconic as an import from Japan; prior history is not known.
The odometer shows 33,727 kilometers (20,956 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us remove the damaged frame sliders, replace the hardware, give the bike a safety inspection, and perform a detailing.
Luce did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year – Front/ Rear: 2019
Tire Life – Front/ Rear: 60/60
Brake Life – Front: 50%; Rear: 30%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front/Rear: Ok
Engine Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok
Drive Chain: Good/Newish
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals : Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery:12.9/14.3
State of Health: 100%
State of Charge: 69%
Test Ride: Ok, bike operates as
intended
BIKE CONDITION:
-Bike appears to have been dropped twice; once at low speed, the second at a stop
-Light damage/scratches to tail, RH fairing, mirrors, signals, bar ends, shifter arm cover, engine guard, LH swingarm
-Paint chip on tail, through base coat; paint damage on RH fairing from hydraulic fluid
Modifications:
Agras case sliders.
Tank grips.
Aftermarket bar ends.
Aftermarket valve stems.
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Angel GT tires with date codes of 2518 and 2519.
The sale includes two keys.
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!
