Post Sale Update: This R1 sold for $10,914 in Houston, Texas on Iconic Motorbike Auctions.
In my mind, there are three defining sportbikes of the 1990s – the Honda CBR900RR, the Ducati 916, and the Yamaha R1. Over on the auction site we’ve got a beautiful first-year example of the last option.
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 and by stuffing the water pump inside the cases – though it does make water pump replacement a pain if needed. Hopefully, you won’t need to.
This example (VIN: JYARN02E9WA000661) has 5,766 miles and it’s in excellent cosmetic condition with a small chip noted in the tail and minor wear on the top of the triple tree. It just needs a new owner, who I hope will put some miles on it! Find this R1 for sale in Houston, Texas with bidding up to $8,100 and the reserve not yet met (but it’s close!) here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions.
Disclosure: Bike-urious is a partner in Iconic Motorbike Auctions.