Development of the FZR1000 had about reached its culmination in the early 1990’s, and development of the succeeding Thunderace had begun. The flagship continued consuming road miles by the ton, as it had since 1987. Offered as the alternate livery from the team-inspired white/red/blue, the subdued flashiness of the 1994 model hangs together in a…
Applying technology from the bigger bikes in their line-up for the Japanese domestic market, the big four started a friendly competition among smaller bikes that spread back across the oceans where the big bikes ruled. The Yamaha FZR-400 did well in roundups of the racey smaller bikes, lightweight but not twitchy, suspension compliant but in…
Eclipsed by the 600’s, or maybe just soft-pedaled by the factory as a domestic Japanese market special, the FZR400 lived out its eight-year stateside run in relative obscurity. Because of it medium size and power, it was a bike that any rider, almost regardless of size or experience, could jump on and have a blast. Occasionally recognized by…
Last seen here in 2010 with some 1,200 less miles, this FZR600 is as special as speed yellow and magenta. Together. A long-lived model built 1989-99, the FZR600 was the lightweight of the 600s, often winning the late braking segment and occasionally the overall shoot-out. The Vance & Hines colors are a 1992-only edition, and…
The Yamaha FZR line up – referred to as “Fizzers” by many – includes US-imported 1000, 600 and 400 models. The 400 was not a big seller at the time and was quickly discontinued. That is a shame because for many riders the 400cc model is the very best of the bunch; great handling and…
For those who follow and collect homologation machines, the OW-01/02 series bikes are the crown jewels of the Yamaha lineup. But before the OW nomenclature, Yamaha homologated another racing machine – the FZR 750RU. While not quite as rare, coveted or expensive as the OW bikes, the 750RU is a great collector machine. It has…
Looking to get into sportbikes, but thinking maybe a used GSX-R1000 is a bit much? And maybe a Ninja 250 looks and sounds a bit too cheap, and is maybe a bit too common? Well this rare little gem of a Yamaha FZR250 might just be the ticket! Made between 1986-1988 with a shrieking 250cc…
Only sold for two years in the US, the Yamaha GTS1000 was available from 1993-94. Styling is conservative 90’s Japanese, but without the garish graphics that often distinguish sportbikes of the era and the look is handsome, but so relatively unremarkable that it’s easy to miss the bike’s true standout feature: the forkless front end.…