1985 Yamaha FZ750

1985 Yamaha FZ750
Miles: 20k
$6,000
Albany, NY area

SELLER
1st year.
Every day ride.
20k miles.
Just inspected.

Rare Ones
We have seen a handful of these over the past 15 years. Reader, Jess, dropped some great wisdom on us commenting, “1983 through ’86 was an amazing era for sport bike riders. The Japanese factories were in a “take no prisoners” war. In 1983 Honda unleashed the 750 Interceptor. 1984 Kawasaki wheeled out its’ GPz900. In 1985 both Suzuki and Yamaha entered the fray with their GSXR 750 and FZ750. Then in 1986 Honda wowed everyone again with its’ VFR 750. The motorcycle magazines were going crazy writing about all the new high-tech bikes on the market. Shoot good sportbike such as the ’83 Suzuki GSES 750 and thew Honda CB110F were relegated to an “also built” category.

Looking back on that era with some hindsight, I believe the FZ 750 was way under-rated compared to the more popular GSXR.. Geez it was an engineering “tour de force” for that time. It had the killer 5-valve Genisus engine, mass centralization with the gas tank moved back closer to the rider and the 45 degree cylinder engine design. The frame was a more advanced design for rigiidity (but made with steel). The riding position was much more humane for street riding. And it sported the latest wheel design technology with a 16″ front wheel.
I think issues that hurt its sales figures were being about 45 lbs heavier (partially due to it having two exhaust mufflers), having a half front fairing (probably to show-off the beautiful Genisus engine), although the bike design was good there was too much black, the wheels, engine, exhausts, and frame were basically hidden. This was addessed in the 1986 model, however the Honda VFR 750 was introduced. Last, Suzuki offered its amazing racing awards program which filled the race grids with Suzuki’s. I believe Yamaha was wondering, “WTF happended here” in 1985.”

That FZ750 sold for $8,100 in 2021 with 8k miles. Here we are three years later with a bike that has 12k more miles… my mind is going up and down, side to side. miles/years/miles/market/condition/cool-bike/years/miles…

Back in 2010 Mike found one and mapped out the history, “The 1980s were a wild time of experimentation for the Big Four. From different engine configurations to Turbos to suspension and wheel sizes, all of the Japanese manufacturers raced to leapfrog the other in terms of technology and performance. These were heady times for the sportbike world, as we moved from air cooled motors to liquid cooled, two valves per cylinder to four, and twin-shock swingarms to single-shock configurations.

Yamaha’s salvo for 1985 was the FZ750. Powered by a revolutionary “Genesis” motor, the FZ featured 5 valves per cylinder (3 intake, 2 exhaust), an alternator stacked above the transmission to narrow the profile, and cylinders laid down at a major angle to aid in weight distribution and provide a straighter shot from the 36 mm Mikuni carbs into the cylinder head. In period fashion, a GP-inspired 16-inch front wheel was fitted, which quickened the steering over larger hoops of the day.

How does it work? All of this technology was enough to help Eddie Lawson win the 1985 Daytona 200, and magazines of the period raved about the FZ’s performance. If you missed your chance to buy one new… ”

With a seller’s description that reads like a haiku and only two photos, this could be what is missing in your garage. Only an inquiring mind will find out.