Ahh…the 80’s again, big changes in the motorcycle industry as bikes made quite a big advance in that 10 year span. I had Yamaha’s back in the 70’s and then a YSR50 which I bought in 1991 to cruise around my small town with other friends that had them. Back then for like $800 you could thrash these little things all day long and they just wouldn’t quit, almost like my GSXR1100 of that time but that thing was a tank. I then bought a really bitchin’ 1988 TZR250 (reverse cylinder) in ’97 that was awesome and looked like a real GP bike. But back to this FZR250R, well as the owner states it is a pretty rare bike here in the US and that is a hard fact, definately one to add to your gray market collection. Even though Honda was pretty much kind of the inline 250 4-strokes this Yamaha is just dead nuts unique.
Located in Michigan go to the EBay listing
Read The ad below:
This is an extremely rare Japanese domestic model FZR250R. There are only 2 that I know of in the US. Here are the hard numbers: 250cc four cylinder four stroke, 18,500rpm redline, EXUP exhaust, aluminum deltabox frame and swingarm, 45 bhp. These were built at a time when the Japanese manufacturers were trying to beat each other in the ultra competetive 250cc japanese championship. Of the four brands (Suzuki GSXR250, Kawasaki ZXR250, Honda CBR250RR, and the Yamaha) the Honda and Yamaha were the best. This FZR has far more in common with the OW01 than with the mundane FZR600 that we got stateside and actualy cost more at the time than the 600 did. Now here is whats wrong with it. It has a few minor blemishes on the bodywork and a crack in the upper fairing near the left mirror. The rear turn signals are not yet wired in (easy fix). The eyelet at the V were the two side fairing meet is broken, there is a small dent in the swingarm behind the exhaust can, there are minor chips in the paint on the wheels, and it needs new tires. All in all it is in exceptional shape with very low milage for a 21 year old motorcycle. I have been in the process of restoring this bike and have bought many new parts for it. It runs like a watch and these motors are well known for easily cracking 100,000 Km. This motorcycle is sold with a bill of sale only as it is not legal for road use. There are ways of titling it, but that is up to you. If you want a unique peice of motorcycle history for you collection, here it is. But if you think I am asking too much, please wait and bid on the next one. Cheers
To sum up things, it’s not the coolest 250 inline 4, but the rarity of this bike is king especially with the decent miles. For $4500 I think it’s in the ball park even though you need to chase it a bit cosmetically. I love the smaller bikes and this is just the little brother to the FZR400, 600, and 1000, what a cool collection that would be, “click and buy” !
Jay
