Post Sale Update: This FZR750RT did not meet reserve in the auction, but it quickly sold after for $13,800 on classifieds.
To homologate the FZR for AMA Superbike racing, Yamaha was obligated to produced 200 examples of their 750cc sportbike in 1987 – so that’s all they built. At the time, the FZR750 sold for $4,599. But the homologation RT version, as shown here, would set you back $8,999. The hefty price and the exclusivity weren’t the only things that limited the market on this bike – Yamaha would only sell you one if you had a AMA or WERA license!
Eddie Lawson won the 1986 Daytona 200 on a Yamaha FZ750, which had a steel frame. For the RT, Yamaha stepped things up with an upgraded 5-valve, Genesis head 749cc FZ750 motor stuffed into the aluminum Deltabox frame that debuted on the FZR1000. The big brother FZR1000 had a 5-speed transmission, but Yamaha blessed the RT with six cogs in the gearbox as well as adjustable suspension (preload and rebound, both front and rear).
This example has just 5 kilometers on the odometer, and it spent most of its time on display at the Musee L’Epopee de la Moto in Quebec, Canada. It’s basically been in dry storage all of its life and looks like it, except for a dent on the end of the exhaust and some yellowing of the plastic frame protection. It’s the predecessor to the OW-01 and just as exclusive, but much more obtainable financially for now.
Find this FZR750RT for sale in Santa Monica, California with bidding up to $2,000 and the reserve not yet met here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions.
*Disclaimer – please note that Bike-urious is a partner in Iconic Motorbike Auctions!