The Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP was named “Bike of the Decade” [the 1980s] by Cycleworld magazine, meaning it faced down some very tough competition, including the Ducati 851, Suzuki RG500, and the original GSX-R750. What made it so special? Well servo-actuated exhaust valves are pretty ubiquitous these days, but the big FZR was the first four-stroke to feature one on its five-valve Genesis motor. Yamaha’s EXUP or “Exhaust Ultimate Power” valve varied exhaust flow to maximize high rpm power and low rpm torque, two characteristics that were often considered mutually-exclusive.
The 145hp and 79 ft-lbs of torque from the 1002cc engine aren’t big news today, but still make for a very fast bike, even considering the slightly porky 460lb dry weight: we’re still talking about a bike with a legitimate 170mph top speed and a supremely flexible powerband. The basic engine and five-speed package was good enough that Bimota saw fit to slot it into their lightweight YB11, and bike that still has the performance to surprise folks weaned on much newer bikes. The rest of the package was equally well-developed, and this iteration featured Yamaha’s Deltabox II frame, upside-down forks, and new styling that replaced the twin-lamp endurance-style fairing with a sleeker, single trapezoidal unit that found its way into a couple of Bimotas as well…
From the original eBay listing: 1992 Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP for Sale
Attention Collectors! Bike of the Decade… 1992 FZR 1000 EXUP Delta Box Genesis Great Condition / Survivor > Always stored indoors on carpet! extra Rare Corbin seat with back rest, plus original mint solo seat with fairing. Must see pictures. 8738 miles. Just serviced Clear Title / resides in living room / tank drained, carbs cleaned / clean unused oil, and new fluids, serious inquires, Seller reserves the right to end auction early for private or collector sale. Sold as is, wonderful bike.
The FZR1000 in red and white is a great looking example of a 90s superbike. It’s not especially valuable as yet, but has the potential to appreciate as people snap up the few remaining pristine, low-mileage examples. The $7,500 the seller is asking is steep, but this looks like it’s in very nice condition, with low miles so, if you’re into Yamahas, this might be a great opportunity to add a nearly pristine example of this very functional sportbike to your collection.
-tad
I had this bike it’s true all around great bike good riding position lots of power and very sporty. One in Toronto area sold for under 3 Grand with 20,000 km in equally as good condition. Not really a collectible but a good all-around bike all these years later at a great price not for Seven Grand though he’ll be lucky to get 4
Bikes of this era are in a no-man’s land as far as value. Its too new to kindle the flames of us 40-somethings who are driving up the prices of first gen Gixxers and early FZRs, RC30s and the like, but its too old to be desirable for someone looking for a bike to actually use – they will want fuel injection and other modern-bike features. I love the old FZRs but the ones I’m particularly fond of are the first gen 87/88 1000 and 750, and the 400. To me, they just have the right look, even though the 89-up 1000 is a far better performing machine. But the “its a better performing machine” argument has to take a back seat to the “what gets your blood flowing?” argument, or else you may as well not even bother with older bikes and just get the latest/greatest R1. I wanted to add a 750 or 1000 Yamaha to my collection recently and struggled with the decision: the 89 1000 would be better in every way except I just plain like the look of the 87/88 better. So I found a deal on an 87 FZR750 and snapped it up and can’t be happier. Yeah its slower than a 1000 but its a bike I lusted after back in the day. By the time the 89 1000 rolled around I was racing my FZR400 and didn’t give a crap about a pig 1000, so now, when I look at a bike like this or a second gen Gixxer or similar, I think “great bike, and can still be had for dirt cheap, but if it were sitting in the garage next to an 87 750 or a slab side Gixxer, I’d never ride it and wouldn’t even like looking at it all that much – too modern.”
I agree. Way too expensive. I remember back in the day…when I would ride with 20-30 of my streetbike friends, all the cool bikes had two headlights. Now that I’m in my 40’s, still only seem to buy double headlight bikes other then my bimota (not sure why). FZR’s always looked too refined. I was looking on eBay UK lately, found a great OW01 but it too had one headlight….couldn’t get used to it besides the fact that importing it became rediculusly complicated. Bummer!!!!
Not sure how 1992 model can be the bike of the Decade for the 1980’s.
I’ve seen this bike for sale before. I thought the price was lower. Same pictures. I have an 87 that I purchased from the original owner. A young lady (not young anymore) who originally purchased it in Canada, them moved to so. Cal. All original Under 10k miles. Love the bike.
Always wanted the older dual round headlamp model. Just a great looking bike. Came REALLY close last year, but the “disconnected speedometer cable” was a no-no for me.
I have a1991 fzr1000. It has 3600 km’s on it in mint shape. I’m putting it up for sale for roughly $4500
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