If you’ve been looking for an interesting platform for your next custom (or maybe you just want to restore a rare bike), there’s a Yamaha GTS1000 sitting around in New Jersey that has some potential…
For only one year in the US, Yamaha sold a sport-touring bike that was far ahead of its time – the GTS1000. Full of technology that would not make its way to most bikes for years to come, the GTS featured fuel injection, ABS brakes, and most importantly, the RADD front suspension designed by James Parker. This suspension was able to isolate braking from damping, leading to increased performance in both aspects, as well as more stability. Unfortunately, the extra cost required for all this innovative technology was high and consumers weren’t ready for it. The bike was a commercial flop, though it did sell for a few more years outside of the US. Like many poor-selling, technologically advanced bikes, owners are very passionate and have developed communities to keep these bikes alive. You can use it everyday, and that’s one of the reasons why Bike magazine called it the ‘coolest of rare motorcycles’ ever made.
Normally I’m one to advocate for restoring a bike like this, but it can be hard to find some of the body pieces of a GTS nowadays and I bring up the idea of modifying it as the distinctive front end has led to some wild customs like the Rhodium Omega:
Photo by Nathan May
I was also intrigued by this creation from Aki Suoakas.
This example has roughly 33,000 miles and the seller acquired it as a non-running parts bike – though it does have a title and key. The seller put a battery and fresh fuel and it started up, he does include a running video in the listing. Find this GTS for sale in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey for $1,825 here on Facebook Marketplace.