Yellow jacket: Zero-mile 2006 Yamaha R1 LE

To celebrate its 50th anniversary. Yamaha busted out the paint booth and the option sheet to create a limited run of hopped-up versions of their R1 literbike. The 2006 Yamaha R1 LE delivered the perfect birthday present to the storied brand, showing that Japanese brands were indeed capable of and interested in building special versions…

Un-mothballed – 1988 Yamaha TZR250

Without being over-spec’ed or blingy, Yamaha’s entry into the 249cc learner-sports class was right-sized, nicely put together, and handled straight out of the box.  This one has been on display and recently returned to the land of the living. 1988 Yamaha TZR250 for sale on eBay   Like the RD350 whose success it was trying…

Swimsuit Issue – 1977 Yamaha RD400

Mid-seventies the two-stroke era was winding down, most manufacturers were looking for ways to tie their new mid-size four strokes to their smoking forebears.  Yamaha stretched it out, keeping the RD-400 in the line-up until 1980.  For 1977 they offered cast wheels, all disk brakes and 14-second 1/4 miles. 1977 Yamaha RD400 for sale on…