Posts by tag: Yamaha

Yamaha November 3, 2008 posted by Dan

Yamaha Thunderace Market Update

After spotting the Yamaha YZF1000R for sale right here in town, I got curious about how rare this model is today. Turns out, I can’t find many available to evaluate! The few I spotted were actually outdated ads that had sold already. Most were a bit cheaper, but not by a great deal.

Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace

I guess what makes me believe that I could even contemplate a bike like this is that I have a very vivid recollection of riding shotgun back in college on my buddy Jay Johansen’s CBR1000F. While it was exhilarating, it certainly didn’t seem like the crazy, uncontrollable power that the CBR’s 135hp would suggest. Although this could be due to the additional weight: the CBR1000F weighs in at over 500 pounds, while the Yamaha tips the scale at 430 pounds. And the Thunderace certainly has more sporting intentions with more aggressive stance, bodywork, and another 10hp. But in conservative hands, surely it couldn’t be too much right? Maybe it is. Here’s a quote from Nigel Wines writing for Motorcycle.com on the YZF1000R:

The YZF1000 is a bike that only skilled, competent, experienced riders can enjoy — anything less, and you’ll just scare yourself silly. Or worse. If you haven’t got experience on big bikes and raced a bit, go for something else.

Well that pretty much rules me out as I’m only qualified to drive Miss Daisy compared to most sport riders. Or maybe that ride 15 years ago, when I was pretty young and naive, was faster than I recall.

Even though the motor is a bit outdated in this bike, basically lifted from the FZR1000, it is a 5 valve per cylinder, EXUP equipped, Yamaha motor. And damn they’re sharp looking motorcycles. I’ve been right-clicking-save-as like a madman on these articles!

Links:

MCN Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace Review

Video:

Yamaha Thunderace Promo Video:

Yamaha October 29, 2008 posted by Dan

1984 Yamaha RZ500 For Sale in Vancouver, BC

I normally don’t post Canadian classifieds on this blog because the importation rules to the U.S. are pretty limited. But RZ’s just don’t come around too often, so I’m posting this 1984 RZ500 For Sale for $6k:

quote from seller’s Craigslist ad:

[…]
This bike is in good running condition and seems totally original. I am not an export with RZ500 but it looks all there and un modifed. This bike is all original including the bump seat cover. This is the lowest (besides a musem bike) KM RZ500 I have seen here with 24692.4 KM’s . THE FRAME SAYS MADE 4/84, but it is registered as an 1985. It starts first kick and runs good. I have put new plugs in it, fresh battery, drained and put in new crank case oil also put in fresh brake fluid front and back. The last owner told me it has stock pistons but cannot confirm that.

It needs:
-tires.
-front and rear turn signals hooked up.
-rear signal & plate bracket put on.
-original bodywork screws/fastners
-chain & sprockets.
-front brake drags a touch.

It has seems to have been layed down at some point by looking at the damage on the right side. The fairing has been repaired a long time ago but not my me. It still needs some work. The belly pan is cracked and needs some repair as someone tried with some screws. The fairing has been cracked up and repaired. The case cover has a small scuff plus the rear passenger mount has been repaired. The upper fork tubes behind the headlight have some minor pitting but do not even get close to the seals. The neutral light does not seem to work. The outside pipes have some minor dints in them but look fine. The tank has a very small dint on the upper right of the tank. There is a piece missing from the upper right nose piece. Also a few tabs that keep the faring on have been cracked off. I did not have all the correct fastners to put the body work on with so that is something I suggest you find.
[…]

This one will need some work to be nice again, but it doesn’t sound like the damage is too extensive. But for the right buyer who’s handy with a wrench, this could be a nice buy with some negotiating.

As an appreciating classic, I wonder how fast these will climb in value.

Yamaha October 23, 2008 posted by Dan

1989 Yamaha TZR250 2 Stroke For $5800

Here’s another titled and road registered 2 stroke for sale in California, a 1989 Yamaha TZR250 I spotted on Craigslist for $5800:

quote from seller’s Craigslist ad:

THIS IS THE ONLY TZR250 THAT I KNOW OF THAT IS CALIFORNIA REGISTERED AND LEGAL TO RIDE ANY WHERE
CLEAN CALIFORNIA PINK THE ONE AND ONLY ONE THAT WILL EVER BE
the made 68 of these bikes a year and they were pre ordered from the year before for about 30 k
thats in japan and thats before import
i bought this bike from a ferrrari mechanic who had 100 bikes and brought this one fom japan
it has a nine digit vin and all stickers are in japanese
he put new tires and tuned it and there it sat for 15 years
i got it a year ago took it to my buddy steve kenny roberts racing former mechanic and he tuned it
then the miricle through my buddy at the DMV went down THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY TZR PLATED SREET LEGAL AND CLEAN CALIFORNIA TITLED YOU CAN RIDE IT ANYWHERE
it runs perfect

CHECK THE PICS ITS BEAUTIFUL
it has 3000 miles in kilometers

The description of the bike is terrible and I suspect a few of the facts stated to be in question. Mix in a comma or period at least man! Grammar aside, of particular interest is his mention of the 9 digit VIN considering the conversation in the comments recently. Nonetheless, if you’ve been looking for something more affordable than what’s been posted recently, this might be worth the goose chase if you live nearby.

Yamaha October 19, 2008 posted by Dan

Surfing the Local CL ads: 1997 Yamaha YZR1000R Thunderace For Sale

Here’s another open class bike that caught my attention recently while surfing the local Craigslist motorcycle section – a cherry 1997 Yamaha YZR1000R Thunderace in black and gray. This one has 26k miles and is listed for $5800:

quote from seller’s Craigslist ad:

One ownwer, 1997 Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace, 1997 Sportbike of the year. Produced for one year only. Very RARE. Still one of the best handling most powerful bikes on the road.
Black/Silver, 26,000 miles, never down and never abused (no wheelies/stoppies)
Tuned (including having cams ‘degreed’) by Eric Dorn at EDR Performance, full Akropovic Titanium exhaust, K&N air filter, HeliBars, Attack rear sets, steel front brake lines, smoke windscreen, nearly new Pilot Power tires
I know of no maintenance issues with this bike. It is ready to ride.

$5800 sounds a bit lofty for this under appreciated bike, especially with such mileage. Not saying the bike is in jeopardy as a result of mileage, but at this price, I’d expect a lot less. The images sure do represent a well look after example though. I’ll do some research to find out for sure like I did on the CBR900RR entries I posted recently.

After my ride to the Olympic Peninsula this past summer, I’ve been contemplating a more appropriate touring machine. The Ducati made the trip fine, but I felt terrible as it sat in the pouring rain overnight. While all it would’ve needed was a decent cover to avoid being totally neglectful, it got me to thinking about what a better mount might of looked like for such a task. Something tells me a bike like this with proper luggage might fit the bill and then some!

Yamaha October 16, 2008 posted by Dan

A Pair of Classic Yamaha Two-Strokes For Sale: Yamaha RZ350’s

Many of the readers coming to this blog are looking for the Yamaha RZ500, and while I haven’t found one of those today, I have found two RZ350’s for sale here in the Pacific Northwest.

1984 Yamaha RZ350 For Sale on Craigslist Spokane

quote from the seller’s Craigslist post:

Spec 2 full fairing bodywork painted in the yellow/black color combo
Spec 2 expansion chamber exhaust
Mikuni 34mm carbs, custom billet intake with internal equalizer passage, pod airfilters, oversized reed cages and 4 petal reeds.
Adjustable steering damper, clip ons, billet tripple tree and fork brace.
Spec 2 rearsets
Fox clicker rear shock with remote reservoir
Re sprung front fork
Steel braided brake lines
Powdercoated frame

1984 Yamaha RZ350 For Sale on Craigslist Portland

quote from seller’s Portland Craigslist ad $3600:

the bike comes with a slew of extras.
* original 80’s full fairing kit with sqaire headlight conversion.
* extra tank
* extra tail
* extra front fender
* EXTRA ENGINE!!!

The bike has larger 30mm carbs with clamp on style k&n’s. Allspeed pipes and silencers. new chain, sprockets, clutch, battery and brake pads.

this bike is oil injected so there is no worrys at the pump when it comes to premixing the fuel.

it has a adjustable steering stabilizer and a fork brace.

the bike has 28k but has had a recent top end to freshen things up.

Neither one of these are perfect beauty queens. But I like the full faired bodywork installed on the first one. And the second one offers a ton of spares plus full fairing bodywork pieces and a spare engine! And both are $4k or less! Seems like an affordable way into the classic bike market before these start going up in price – and a ton of fun to ride in the meantime!

Yamaha September 27, 2008 posted by Dan

Sharp Looking 1989 Yamaha FZR400 For Sale

I love this color scheme! The white with red graphics are so classic looking. Check out this 1989 Yamaha FZR400 For Sale on eBay.

quote from seller’s eBay listing:

This is a super clean 1989 Yamaha FZR400 up for auction. Runs as great as it looks, too! A true screamer. The only non-stock part to the bike is the Vance & Hines exhaust system. This bike has been well loved and taken care of by its owner for many years. As such, it has been ridden. The clock shows just in excess of 27,000 miles. Still, the engine’s got great compression and runs just as strong as the day it was brought home. CLEAR TITLE, of course.

Less than a day to go on this one, but it’s already met reserve at just over $2300. Someone is going to score a great track bike or weekend playtoy! The owner is almost apologetic about the condition in referring to the bikes age, but the pictures sure do tell another story — it looks great to me!

Update: This post is pretty outdated. Check out these FZR’s on eBay right now:

[AffomaticEbay]Yamaha FZR[/AffomaticEbay]

Yamaha September 10, 2008 posted by Dan

Yamaha RZ500 For Sale in Tacoma

This Craigslist Ad for an RZ500 is short on details, so I’ll just post the whole thing:

Street legal 4 cyl. 2 stroke street bike!Lots of time and money invested!Have all original parts as well.This bike runs and rides perfectly!GREAT street bike!Lots of fun to own and ride!Call if you have any questions

But these aren’t exactly easy to come by. If you’re in the market, $9500 might be a touch on the high end. But the pictures do look awfully good…

Yamaha September 3, 2008 posted by Dan

1989 Yamaha FZR OW-01 For Sale in France

I know it’s not exactly in the neighborhood, but these just don’t come up for sale anywhere that often. And this one looks perfect, though it bloody well should be at $22k!

quote from seller’s website, classic-motorbikes.com:

This rare Yamaha 750 FZR OW 01, is a real collectors item. With only 4002 km and in exceptional original condition. First registered in France on the 15/06/1989 where it’s still registered and has had just two owners.

This French model bike also has the complete “Full Power” kit (145 hp) fitted. The as new racing exhaust is available with the bike as are the original tool kit and owner’s manual. Available in France.

I saw one of these for sale in person years ago in Portland at Bob Lamphere’s place. At the time I recall thinking the asking of nearly $12k was outrageous. Not so much now…

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