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: JYARN011000003066.
During his ownership, the seller has covered roughly 2,000 miles. The odometer shows 34,945 miles.
The seller acquired this bike from a private party in the United Kingdom in March of 2022 – at the time the seller was living there.”The basic story is that I’m the 4th owner: bike was off the road from ~2007 but garaged by the previous owner. I bought it as a project to restore. All work done by me unless outsourced to a pro (engine and forks).”
“Early ‘98 bike, one of the first months registered in the world. EURO Spec – full power, EU spec carbs and pilot jets – no CA CARB EVAP equipment – EU lights + switch gear etc. Engine and frame are original (matching) and the engine was rebuilt at ~34,000. I rebuilt the carbs before that when I first got the bike and used to daily it in London. I did most of the restoration work in 2022-2023. Then it was used daily until Oct 2023 when I emigrated to the states. It was garaged in the UK for about 6 months before being exported to the states. I have copies of all import paperwork (can also supply scans of original UK docs etc). Since being in the states, it hasn’t been used much at all because it took about a year to get it successfully registered with CA DMV but now it’s done, clean CA title + registration.”
Euro spec carbs.
Euro spec switchgear.
The seller has provided photos from the restoration process here. “You’ll see from the photos some of the work that I did when I restored the bike as well as photos of what it looked like before I started work (grey track fairings).”
Maintenance:
Engine rebuilt (~34000 miles) (in UK)
New valve seats
Valves + seats ground and lapped
Valve clearances set
New headgasket
New big-end bearings
De-coked pistons + head
Gearbox from 5JJ (>2000) – stronger than 4XV and no 2nd/6th gear selector failure
Head and covers repainted
Carbs rebuilt: completely dismantled, ultrasonic cleaned, balanced, rebuilt with fresh o-rings and pilots. Slides oiled.
EXUP Motor + Valve rebuilt: No tach errors (the famous 7k code for EXUP)
Forks rebuilt by Art Dyno & Suspension – London
It was serviced this month with:
Replaced Oil + Filter – Liquid Moly 4T 10W40 + HiFlo HF303
Flushed and replaced coolant – Zerex Green low-silicate 50/50
Flushed + rebled front + rear brakes – STP Dot4
Replaced Air Filter (OEM)
Additional maintenance notes from the seller are available in this PDF.
“Both forks were fully rebuilt and serviced by a specialist in the UK, but both are just gently weeping a tiny bit.”
Modifications:
Aftermarket fairings.
Renntech luggage rack.
Goodridge steel braided brake lines.
Swingarm spools.
Not pictured is a Carmo Electronics MOSFET Reg/Rec.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT016 tires with date codes of 0922 and 1022.
The sale includes four keys.
Folders of service receipts, import and registration papers.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes.
“Scuffs and dings on frame, dent around headstock from presumably a crash, prior to my ownership, has been straightened out at some point and rides fine.”
Currently located in Panorama City, California, this Yamaha is offered on a clean California title with registration current through May 2026.
Have any R1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
