Up a Notch – 1992 Yamaha FZR1000

As much of an upstart as the original FZR1000 was in 1987, later design revisions took the superbike to the next level.  Today’s FZR is an elegant survivor with just under 13,000 miles. 1992 Yamaha FZR1000 for sale on eBay Yamaha’s 1,002 cc Genesis had 5 valves per cylinder from the start, a great technical…

Long Term Relationship – 1984 Yamaha RZ500

After Kenny Robert’s 1978-80 MotoGP crowns, Yamaha worked for a few years to bring a two-stroke 500cc V-4 to the showroom.  Here’s a Colorado example with touring bike miles but a recent engine rebuild and excellent cosmetics. 1984 Yamaha RZ500 for sale on eBay Yamaha couldn’t exactly present their dealers with a $1,000-per-pound MotoGP bike,…

Get Your GP On: 1985 Yamaha RZ500

Hot on the heels of the big Gamma we posted earlier this week, it only seemed fair to post the other 500cc competition – the Yamaha RZ500. Seeming more readily available than the Gamma, the RZ500 is another of the GP replica two strokes that were never officially imported into the United States. Today these…

Blue-Grey Smoker – 1989 Yamaha RZ350

Today’s RZ350 is the fully-faired F2 model which was never imported to the U.S.  Looks like a very nice survivor which should be an easy import. 1989 Yamaha RZ350 for sale on eBay Water cooling let the RZ350 make better power with 63 hp, than its air cooled predecessor, the RD400.  And the YPVS power…

CA Interloper: 1991 Yamaha TZR250

In the wilds of Northern California lurks a menacing, gray market two stroke. Titled in Vermont, wearing some interesting new bodywork that appears to be the basis for the black/red Lucky Strike livery and looking as if it has enjoyed the trip to get to this place in its life, the bike shows some mods…

Legend: 1985 Yamaha RZ 350

Every iconic bike tells a story. In the case of the RZ350 – the last of the factory imported two strokes into all 50 U.S. States – the story is one of evolution. The RZ (or RD350LC as it was called in other markets), was an evolutionary beast that began with the RD series of…

Out in the Yellow Paint – 1985 Yamaha RZ350

A classic in part because it’s the last year of U.S. imports, Yamaha’s Kenny Roberts edition typifies two-stroke fun.  Here’s a windy city example with low miles, excellent cosmetics, and Jim Lomas expansion chambers. 1985 Yamaha RZ350 for sale on eBay Yamaha had their air-cooled 350 in the house since 1973, but liquid cooling brought…