Aluminum perimeter chassis. Aluminum swingarm. Inline four-cylinder power plant. Four valves per cylinder. 14,000 RPM redline. Racing-inspired bodywork with dual headlights. Solo saddle cover to look like a monoposto. Triple disk brakes. Competent, adjustable suspension on both ends. The list of included technology reads like our favorite recipe. The only difference is in the calories: We’re not talking about a middleweight 600 or open class liter bike here, but rather the smaller 400cc rocket from Yamaha.
1988 Yamaha FZR400 for sale on eBay
The FZR was not the only 400cc class participant, but in the US it was the only game in town. Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki all offered some version of a tweener, each in some way more potent than the FZR. Yet the smaller Fizzer (although not the smallest Fizzer by any means) holds a loyal following among riders, and is generally praised as THE BEST handling sport bike to come out of the 1980s – and maybe beyond. Targeting more advanced riders, the FZR was neither the cheapest form of transport available nor was it really a beginner’s bike. Unfortunately in the US, sub-500cc motorcycles are generally lumped into “first timer” categories, and many were purchased (with good intentions) as exactly that. If the bike was not abused at the hands of a newbie rider, it had a good chance of being flogged in competition, or just generally thrashed hard on the street. Not many pristine FZRs exist today, and those that do command a price.
From the seller:
ONE OF THE FEW NICE UNMOLESTED RED/WHITE FZR 400’S OUT THERE. All original except Supertrapp pipe and alarm. Manual, seat cowl, cover, original rear fender/turn signals. RUNS EXCELLENT !!EXCELLENT CONDITION FOR THE YEAR a few minor cracks in plastic. The lower fairings having been cracked up but the bike never actually having been laid down !!!
This FZR definitely looks clean and pretty well cared for. It is well known that most of these bikes have lived a hard life – many of them on the racetrack. This one seems to have escaped much of that, but is not without some scars. The damage to the plastics is unfortunate, as these pieces are no longer available from Yamaha. And given the way the fairing scoops stick out, the damage to these areas is common. The remedies are not easy, but should be cosmetic only; this bike could still be an outstanding rider. And speaking of the riding experience, if the carbs have been rejetted properly for the exhaust then this could be quite the screaming little Fizzer.
The non-stock add-ons (signals, pipe and alarm) detract from the collector value of this bike, but some of the stock pieces are included with the sale. We don’t see too many FZR400s – even though they were legally imported into the US – as these were not high-volume bikes in the day. The asking price for this one is a bit steep as far as Fizzers go, with an opening ask of $5k USD and zero takers thus far. The price is in the ballpark for a well-loved example , but probably a bit on the high side for an opening bid. Check it out here, and be sure to share your experiences with the FZR400 in the Comments section.
MI
Never laid down huh?
I sold mine last year the Plastics were in great condition and no one stuck rear turn signals on the Plastics which I find lowers your price by five hundred bucks. The Plastics on this bad boy are pretty beat up I’m going to guess no more than 3,500 for the condition it’s in. For a collector novelty bike you don’t want to buy something you can’t sell for what you paid and I believe that applies here . at 5 grand that Wont happen
The upper fairing and windscreen are also missing the oem graphics. You just can’t expect to get top market value for an FZR400 with bodywork in this overall condition.
I have a 89 in the garage and they are great bikes. 5k is on the high side with the condition of the bodywork. I’ve searched for
4 years for a mint set of lower cowls, not easy to find. Listing ended so someone may have made a decent offer.