Obviously, the first-generation Yamaha R1 isn’t particularly rare in terms of production numbers: this revolutionary sportbike turned the category on it’s ear, offering big power in a middleweight package, and it sold well as a result. I’m posting this one up because, unlike most of the R1s you’ll find on eBay and Craigslist, this one…
Considering that Bimota is still… in business [was going to type something else, but had second thoughts as maybe “thriving” is a bit too strong a word] it’s a little surprising that some of their older offerings are so affordable, considering their exotic looks, extreme rarity, high specification, and performance that will at least keep…
It’s pretty common for cars in the USA to get evocative names like “Cougar” and “Charger” or components with nonsensical, but cool-sounding names like “Vortec” or “Jetfire.” In the motorcycling world, the reverse seems more common, since today’s bike was known as the Yamaha YZF1000 here in the USA while overseas it was the “Thunderace,” big…
Seen on RSBFS back in May, this YB7 is still available, links updated to current auction. – donn Bimotas have always had a fan base in Japan, and the YB7 was dreamed almost specifically for their progressive licensing laws. Just 399cc and 352 lbs. dry, it’s a rarity with only 321 made over 1987-88. The…
The Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP was named “Bike of the Decade” [the 1980s] by Cycleworld magazine, meaning it faced down some very tough competition, including the Ducati 851, Suzuki RG500, and the original GSX-R750. What made it so special? Well servo-actuated exhaust valves are pretty ubiquitous these days, but the big FZR was the first four-stroke…
Yamaha’s FZR1000 was their flagship from 1987-1995 and named “the bike of the decade” by Cycle World in 1989. This European import is a second generation machine with the EXUP electronically controlled exhaust collector, but is also in a classy color scheme rarely seen stateside. The mileage indicates a well-loved FZR, and a couple of…
A solo seat on a sportbike is a statement of intent that says, “I’m a very serious sports motorcycle rider, and a passenger will only slow me down when I’m out dragging a knee in the canyons.” Or maybe it just says that your significant other has their own motorcycle for canyon-carving… Honestly, considering the…
Back at the end of the 1980’s Yamaha was achieving success across its entire lineup of sportbikes with the FZR400, FZR750 (also known as the OW01) and at the top, the FZR1000. The FZR1000 was ruling the litre class not due its having the most powerful engine or the best handling but by having the…