A perennial fan favorite, the 400cc edition of the Yamaha FZR has often been lauded for its razor-sharp handling and overall balance. While generally best suited for riders of smaller stature, the smaller Fizzer filled the gap currently occupied by the modern crop of 300cc machines; small enough to be entry level, but with the DNA to carve some serious corners in the right hands.
1989 Yamaha FZR400 for sale on eBay
Powered by an in-line four cylinder that is happy to rev to a stratospheric 14k, the FZR400 is encased in an aluminum Deltabox perimeter frame with triple disks all around. Wrapped in full bodywork that evoked images of the bigger FZRs – including dual headlights – there was nothing small or cheap about the 400. And while the model run started in 1986 and ran through the mid 1990s, Yamaha only imported them into the US for a few years, and even fewer into California.
From the seller:
You are looking at my 1989 Yamaha FZR400 California EXUP model. I am the original owner and the bike is in amazing condition both cosmetically and mechanically. I have a complete file on the bike that includes the original receipt from when I bought the bike from Golden Gate Cycles in SF in July 1989. I spent over $4,000 this summer to have the bike mechanically reconditioned by Speed Motorcycles in Bronx, NY and it runs well. The only problem is a sticky front master brake cylinder. I had it rebuilt by Speed but it might need replacing. I’m selling the bike because I’ve lost interest – when I had it reconditioned this summer I thought I was going to get back into riding but it turns out that I’m just not that into it anymore. I never tracked this bike – I did put an aftermarket Kerker slip-on muffler on it and had it dyno tuned but I have the original exhaust.This bike is very rare and I’d be very surprised if there are any out there in this condition and still owned by the original owner.
Today the FZR400 is hard to find in unmolested condition. So many of these bikes ended up on the racetrack (refer above to “razor-sharp handling”), that most of the available Fizzers have been thrashed. And rebuilding a FZR400 is not an exercise for the weak or impatient; parts are not exactly plentiful, and stock fairings are all but impossible to find. My recommendation: Find the cleanest, best example you can, and jump on it. Could this original owner bike be the one? Check it out here and see!
MI
Sadly, the owner spent more on refurbishing the bike than it’s worth. Nice little bike though. The starting bid is just on this side of extremely optimistic.
From the pictures, the one listed on here back in August looked nicer. I also don’t believe it sold for the $6900 asking price. Maybe he doesn’t actually want to sell it his pricing is reflective of that. =]
While trying to remain as impartial as possible, I must admit that this would set a new high water mark for the little FZR. Commerce is all about what the market will bear – and while there is no harm done in asking, the answer in this case might be silence. Historically, we just haven’t seen these types of numbers.
You could have a very nice grey market import in great condition and low miles- like an NC30 or NC35, for thousands less than this.
Seller has been hitting the eggnog too much, but I wish him luck with the sale!
I firstly do NOT agree with the Poster’s comments about the “While generally best suited for riders of smaller stature, the smaller Fizzer filled the gap currently occupied by the modern crop of 300cc machines; small enough to be entry level, but with the DNA to carve some serious corners in the right hands.” Modern 300’s are for beginner’s, FZR400’s are for purists/artist’s! This bike is a jewel! From the same vein as the original TZR250. Far from a beginner’s bike.
Also, the price is unrealistic. Thinking that you are the only one who kept his bike in good shape is the thinking of someone who is out of touch. I could see maybe $7000.00 usd.
Just because you spend X amount of dollars on a restoration doesn’t mean it’s worth that much. People that restore cars as a hobby find this same predicament all the time. Good luck to him all the same.
Holy moly – only just saw the asking price. Uhm, yeah, no.
Could source, pay for, ship and land a complete FZR400RR SP with F3 race kit for that price.
I personally love these bikes, but Yamaha couldn’t give them away here in the US. There’s a guy in Mountain Lakes NJ who lists his original owner bike every few months on Craig’s List for $5,000 and it never goes anywhere. These are nice $2,500 bikes. The reality is that no one wanted these when they were new and no one wants them now.
I wouldn’t say no one wants them now, but it’s a small niche for those in the know.
dc
This was a very capable bike on the race track in capable hands. Back in the day I could outrun many 600’s and 750’s at Oakhill Raceway, and I’m 6′-3″. So those kind of statements from the seller don’t tend to help the sale value. I’ve turned a lot of laps on FZR’s and love those smaller caliber’s. Great bike to get a young racer started on.
Great looking representation. Get real on the $ and you will have a buyer.