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. 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: JYARN011000008120. It came to Iconic as an import from Japan.
The odometer shows 30,180 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us replace the oil and oil filter, the battery, the coolant, the brake fluid, the air cleaner, and the chain. We also replaced the carburetor joints and installed new Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires with date codes of 4321 and 0422.
Ollie did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Brake % Front/ Rear : >80%
Hydraulic: Ok
Oil: Ok
Coolant: Ok
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Kill: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 12.6V
Please note: the ignition switch is sticking and requires several attempts before it will slot into the fork lock or the ON position. Additionally, the seller has sourced a new replacement clutch lever and perch and are shipping that to Iconic. They will be installed free of charge before the bike is shipped out.
Modifications:
Frame sliders.
Aftermarket clutch lever.
Battery tender lead.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes two keys.
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!
