Just a quick Sunday post for you folks who can’t get out riding this weekend. Or for those of you on the East Coast, reading this early in the morning before heading out for the day… So here we’ve got a pair of rare homologation specials from the Age of the Seven-Fifty, where this now-forgotten class was the cutting edge of competition. Sure, the Big Four all had liter-sized bikes available, but while they more powerful, they were also heavier and much more road-oriented, while the 750s were that perfect balance of light weight, agility, and power. Today’s Yamaha YZF750R OW01 and Suzuki GSX-R750 Limited represent some of the very best-handling and most exclusive Japanese sportbikes of the era.
First up is the Yamaha FZR750R OW01, a bike that looks deceptively ordinary at first blush. It was designed to compete directly against the RC30 and in typical Honda fashion, they engineered a completely new solution for their homologation special, with a gear-driven V4, chassis, and single-sided swingarm shared with no other bike in their lineup. Yamaha’s bike shares its silhouette with the more common FZR750R, but is far more exotic than it might appear: titanium rods, twin-ring pistons, an aluminum fuel tank, detachable alloy subframe, quick-release axle clamps, and Öhlins suspension at the front and rear. The engine was almost radically oversquare, although it displaced the advertised 749cc, and used Yamaha’s five-valve head.
From the original eBay listing: 1990 Yamaha FZR750R OW01 for Sale
This amazing bike has been in storage in a large collection for the last 9 years, dry stored correctly it will need recommissioning by the new owner for road use, it only has 34,000 kilometers and is in great shape with the original exhaust, toolkit and manual with pouch.
It has a few blemishes from its road use as seen in the pics rather than take up a lot of space here with this models lengthy attributes please do your own research, only 500 of these were made, a lot less than the RC30 and were quite a bit more expensive than it these bikes are getting scarce and climbing in value.
Suzuki threw their hat into the ring with their GSX-R750 Limited Edition, the homologation version of the iconic “Slabbie” version of their sportbike. Like the OW01, it’s superficially similar to the standard bike, but features exotic parts intended for racing, like the lightweight dry clutch and electronic anti-dive forks. Lightweight bodywork, an aluminum tank, and a fiberglass tailsection differed from the stock machine, but the engine was still oil and air-cooled to save weight.
From the original eBay listing: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 Limited, GSX-R750, and GSX-R1100 for Sale
Selling off my collection of 1986 GSXR First Generation Slab Side bikes. This is the ultimate collection if you are looking for all (3) excellent condition original bikes. Bikes are to be sold as a package as I have had them a long time and would hate to break them up.
1986 GSXR 750 Limited, 4400 miles, Original bodywork, pipe, airbox, etc in excellent condition. Never been down and has not been a previous race bike.
1986 GSXR 1100- 8000 miles, Original bodywork, pipe, airbox, etc in excellent condition. This bike has aftermarket tinted screen.
1986 GSXR 750 Red/Blkw ith only 600 original miles. Yes that’s right only 600 true miles 100% correct and still has the OEM tires on the bike. I also have original bill of sale from dealer. This may be one of the lowest original bikes in the world. Pic does not show grab rail or front markers but I have those as well.
All bikes have lots of paperwork. Not looking to separate bikes at this time.
Both of these auctions end Monday, so move quickly if you’re interested. This is the second OW01 we’ve posted up recently and obviously will need some work if you want to use it on the road, but a new owner may just choose to preserve it as-is. The Suzuki is part of a collection so you’ll be picking up three bikes instead of just one, but they’re all in very nice condition with low miles so if you’re thinking of adding some classic Suzukis to your portfolio, you’re in luck!
-tad
its been said many times on here that the limited has an aluminum tank,it does not.its driving me nuts,can we put this to rest?
“…this now-forgotten class…” You may want to retract that one, my young friend.
Signed,
A. Geezer
It appears that the Limited had a steering damper added at one time on the right side, and then removed. Notice the four rivets on the upper right frame spar? Didn’t come from the factory that way, a shame on an otherwise stock example. Great bikes, but asking price optimistic by about $15K. Highly doubt they’ll find a buyer this time.
Can any OW01 experts help explain the livery differences between this example and the one from the post last week? Not sure if that was a territory/country specific paint job, or a particular year of manufacturing.
Thought the OW01 was an FZR not YZF..?
You are correct! I’ve updated the post.
Strong ask for sure. Somebody who really wants the limited might come close and then peddle off the 750 and 1100. But figure 18-20 for the ltd. On most days. Very nice collection.
The other bike from last week was a Japanese version OWO1. Rear brake light is flush with the seat cowl. Front headlights are also flush with the fairing. Red , white, blue decals. The Japanese bike looks much better compared to the export one IMO, but it is restricted to 70hp. Export bike is unrestricted.
You forgot the header Tad.
they came with steering damper mounted under fairing in front of triple clamp. I know, I had one.