Though the MotoGP two-stroke era was replaced in 2002, it was responsible for countless legendary machines that were cutting edge and undoubtedly the best race bikes money could buy in their respective times. The bikes also possessed an enchanting sound and smell that was distinct and directly connected to the memories that hundreds of thousands of race fans have from the pre-MotoGP era.
Legendary two-stroke bikes like the Cagiva V589, Suzuki RGV500 XR88, Kawasaki KR500, and Yamaha YZR500 0W48R can still be seen competing today at the ‘Race of Legends“, recent events like the Silverstone and Sachsenring Classics saw these adored motorcycles return to their former glory in the proverbial spotlight. One of the bikes raced at the Race of Legends is the Yamaha YZR 500 and though it’s from a different year that the ROL’s bike was produced, this example for sale is still an impressive Factory Yamaha YZR500 from 1993 that is the number six machine piloted by Joan Garriga in his final year before hanging up his leathers and taking a dramatic change of direction in careers.
Yamaha first introduced the YZR 500 in 1973 and would continue to utilize the machine until the end of the two-stroke era in ’02. Over the years dozens of changes were made to the Yamaha with the majority being focused on the engine and frame, both of which we have to thank for a myriad of advancements that trickled down to the production machines in our garages. The YZR 500 was the predecessor of Yamaha’s modern legend: The YZR M1 which is considered by many to be the best bike on the grid right now. The YZR 500 also won nine constructor’s championships and saw additional success when ridden by Americans Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson.
Oh, Garriga…
Photo from http://www.visordown.com/features/bad-boy-no3-juan-garriga
Fun fact: The number six rider was arrested and charged in 1998 with possessing and trafficking drugs and weapons. Here’s a great story on VisorDown about Garriga’s saga.
With four-stroke bikes the power is generated from a crank every other rotation – setting aside things like engine-mapping, throttle-response, fuel-injection, and so on – this means a two-stroke with half the displacement of a four-stroke should generate roughly the same power as a two-stroke makes power with every rotation of the crank. Having said that modern four-stroke bikes make more power on paper and clock noticeably faster lap times and seemingly have an immensely noticeable difference in how smooth power is delivered. My experience on these machines only goes as far as virtually piloting the 500cc racers in next-gen videogames but even from that I can tell you these bikes were wildly powerful and their lack of electronics makes high-siding incredibly difficult to avoid.
With a prosperous 29-year history of competition at the top level, the YZR 500 is a coveted collector’s bike and as a consequence even the machines that lack historical significance or didn’t see much racing success are still routinely accompanied by six-figure price-tags. This YZR’s quad-exhaust, two of which protrude from the tail’s bodywork, all of which is completely emblematic of the two-stroke era machines encapsulate the flavor of what these 500cc racers were all about.
You can find this drug-traffickers 1993 Ducado Cigarette Factory Yamaha YZR 500 for sale here on RaceBikeMart in Spain with a price of €150,000 or $170,000.