2006 Yamaha R1 50th Anniversary Registration Number: PO56 C...

Estimate

£7,000 - £8,000

2006 Yamaha R1 50th Anniversary

Registration Number: PO56 CVC
Frame Number: JYARN15E06A007080

- Two previous owners, 11,000 miles recorded 

The 1990s were defined by three sports bikes, the Honda CBR900RR, the Ducati 916, and the Yamaha R1. Honda’s CBR900RR started the revolution, coming in around 35 kilos lighter than its lightest competition. Soon after, Ducati released the 916. It was technically competent with fuel injection and even an adjustable steering head angle, but it’s best remembered just for being one of the most beautiful motorcycles of all time. In 1998, Yamaha released the R1 and wiped the floor with everyone else. It was the lightest and most powerful sports bike available and you had to work hard to find a dealer with one in stock.

The basic specifications were 150bhp, 190 kilo dry weight, and a 2.96 second 0-60 time. Those are all impressive numbers, but the design of the drivetrain is what made it all possible. Yamaha was able to make the engine/transmission much smaller by vertically stacking the transmission shafts. Further space was saved by putting the water pump inside the engine cases. The packaging let Yamaha shorten the wheelbase and still lengthen the swingarm, which made the bike feel like a 600cc bike but with 1,000cc power.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Yamaha released the R1 in a special yellow/black/white paint scheme with a set of commemorative decals. The livery paid tribute to Kenny Roberts and the marque’s factory racing colours, and it also sported a set of black wheels with yellow pinstriping.

The bike on offer is one of the rare 50th Anniversary Editions. Imported from the United States in recent times, the R1 has covered in the region of 11,000 miles, with two previous owners. The R1 is offered with factory books, and manual and previous MoT certificates.