It might be more likely to see a herd of unicorns than to spot this epic Yamaha on a racetrack, but it did run at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer. Offered by RSBFS friends over at Iconic Motorbikes, this ’96 team bike was owned by Kenny Roberts Sr. until a few years ago and ridden by his son in 1996.
1996 Yamaha YZR500 OWJ1 for sale at Iconic Motorbikes
Spanning multiple eras, Yamaha raced the YZR500 from 1973 to the end of the two-stroke rules in 2002. Though Honda was mid-way through a six year romp in 1996, the YZR500 won a shy dozen championships – 1978-80 with KRSr aboard. For ’96 the V4 returned to the square 54mm bore and stroke, with powder-forged pistons, ram air intakes, carbon brakes and reporting 180 hp. The new chassis did away with the seat subframe, using a self-supporting carbon seat.
Under a collector’s care the bike was evidently re-furbished at RMD Motors, who reported suspension and engine work, and more in the Robb Report feature. The 2022 Goodwood spectacular featured a parade of legendary machines and riders, with Senior taking the OWJ1 up the hill. Iconic recently had the bodywork off to look after the water pump, and posted a video with some run-time – here -.
Roberts Jr. is on the windscreen, but the almost show-bike state says spare bike rather than race-after-race used. Yamaha at least achieved ground for acquittal, with teammate Norifumi Abe winning the Suzuka round and three podiums beside. Along with the condition, Team Roberts ownership, signatures and factory provenance will make this YZR a winner long term. Still three days to run for this auction, check back – here – and see if the reserve is challenged.
-donn
For people my age, this is as close as you can get to the dream! I just wish I had more kidneys in my body…
“Rare” doesn’t even come close. Owned by the King himself?!?
What a beautiful bike, nearing the end of the era of the smokers. As someone with a soft spot for TZ250s, this is an amazing post.
Just imagining the sound this beast would make on the pipe (let alone blipping the throttle in the garage to keep it “idling”) makes me smile.
Excellent find.
It definitely goes to someone with very deep pockets. Let’s hope that someone is a genuine fan, and will be a good caretaker of this amazing race bike.
Factory 500CC two stroke GP bikes are SICK!
I would never get tired staring at this work of mechanical art, If I could afford it I would buy it.
John Kocinski’s Cagiva 500CC GP bike that actually won the USGP 500CC race sold for 104K, I thought it was a deal at the time and now I know it was screaming deal.
The first thing I would do would be rig up a temporary headlight/taillight/horn and get a license plate. The second thing I would do would be remove those items and then proceed to rip up and down the canyon for a few hours!
Holy crap is this thing ever the mutt’s nuts. I was a huge fan of this thing then, and things haven’t changed. It’s gonna be hard to top this posting for all-time epic coolness. BTW if you haven’t watched the Goodwood footage, do it now.
sold for 321000 after the auction ended…thats kind of nuts imho…must be nice to have money
It may seem nuts, but in reality it was kind of a bargain for a one of a kind item. My cousin owns the Shelby Cobra III prototype. He has been talking to auction houses and they are saying 10-20 million. It’s kind of a POS as far as driveability goes but the exclusivity and provenance is what drives the price.
I wonder if there is a buyers or sellers fee?