Introduced in the late 1960s as an over-the-counter racebike, Yamaha’s TR2 was based on the road-going R3, and was extremely popular among privateer racers of the period. At just 253lbs dry, the bike was lightweight and, with a nearly square 61mm x 59.6mm bore and stroke that worked out to 348cc, the little air-cooled, two-stroke…
Summer is here, and that means track days. For some, simply taping up the headlight, taillight and turn signals is enough for a “run what ya brung” session at their closest track. Others might want a dedicated track bike that dispenses with the tape prep and makes attending a course day easier. Finally there are…
We’ve spilled a lot of ink [pixels?] here on RSBFS about the Yamaha FZR400 so you’re probably thinking if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. But take a closer look at this little sportbike, especially the front: in place of the usual twin round lamps like you’d normally see on the FZR is a…
There is no doubt that RSBFS show the love for the big RZ. One of the most popular bikes searched for on the site, the Yamaha RZ500 combines race-boy naughty looks with a twin-crank V4 two-stroke, enough pipes sticking out the back to warn off possible tailgaters, and a GP-inspired 16″ front wheel to reduce…
I was almost hesitant to post this monster, concerned that our passionate but sometimes purity-obsessed readers would find it less of an object of desire and more an abomination. For sure, this Nico Bakker-framed Yamaha TZ750 is a mongrel, a beast. A chimera, if you will. The engine? A ferocious liquid-cooled two-stroke four-cylinder race engine…
It’s a “when it rains it pours” type of situation with TZRs here on RSBFS. Given last week’s 3MA model posting from a California location, here comes one from the other side of the US – Florida. Ironically, the seller claims that this one came from California a few years previous. In what small circles…
When it came to Grand Prix racing, the Yamaha TZ250 was a class-leading act. Through the late 1970s and early 1980s, Yamaha was a force to be reckoned with, and the privateer racer was the prime beneficiary. Mere mortals – with some racing creds and a pile of cash – could purchase something very close…
Sometimes, the amazingly low-mileage bikes that we stumble across surprise me. I mean, who at the time it was new would think to ferret away a pristine Yamaha FZR400? Of course it was always a cool bike, but the kind of thing you’d buy and preserve as a collectible? Seems strange, but the upside is…