Summary

• Key takeaways:
• Yamaha bikes from the 80s and 90s had been beloved for his or her stable efficiency and easy expertise.
• The Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special, TZR250 SP, and RZV500 had been iconic bikes from that period that had excessive energy and torque.
• The Yamaha R7 OW07, XJR1300 SP, R6, FZR750R OW01, VMAX 1200, FZR1000 EXUP, and R1 had been additionally standout fashions recognized for his or her energy and efficiency.

Yamaha has been synonymously related to bikes and musical devices. When it involves bikes – the R, RD and RZ collection have lengthy been recognized to be a few of Yamaha’s most interesting ever two-wheeled creations, inspiring different producers as effectively at sure deadlines. With a robust, ongoing fan following throughout the globe, Yamaha may not currently have the same widespread portfolio of efficiency bikes that they used to promote, however they proceed to promote in the present day due to their wonderful previous.

In this checklist we have a look at among the older Yamaha’s from the 80s and the 90s, that had been beloved by lovers for his or her stable efficiency, contemplating the easy expertise that was obtainable again then. Most of the entries on this checklist are additionally extremely collectible and iconic in their very own particular manner.

In order to provide the most modern and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Yamaha and different authoritative sources, together with MotorcycleSpecs.com. The entries on this checklist have been ranked on the idea of energy and torque, from lowest to highest.

10 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special

Max Power: 44 HP

Consider the 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special as a swansong to Yamaha’s famend RD collection of two-strokes. The RD400 was and felt considerably sooner and extra highly effective when in comparison with the RD350. This provided a near-perfect mixture for an aspiring younger purchaser on the time – somebody who wished a great deal of energy however couldn’t essentially afford a bigger liter-class machine. Combined with its approachable and predictable dealing with, the RD400F was a hooligan that might simply fear different sub-liter four-stroke riders, whereas being manageable sufficient to trip within the metropolis.

1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

9 1991 Yamaha TZR250 SP

Max Power: 45 HP

Considering its dimension, weight, and energy for its displacement, it is fairly truthful to say that the TZR250 SP accelerated prefer it was falling off a cliff. Although the facility was restricted, it still managed to be an exciting and involving machine to ride, due to the best way it was tuned for low and mid-range acceleration.

There was no compromise with the dealing with, as anticipated by the best way it seemed and felt to trip. With its virtually excessive using place, it was not meant to consolation and cocoon the rider, however fairly convey the very best out of her or him on the observe.

1991 Yamaha TZR250 SP Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

8 1985 Yamaha RZV500

Max Power: 88 HP

The RZV500 was a real redeemer for Yamaha to convey again pleasure within the then-dying two-stroke realm. Four-strokes, especially road racers and light-weight motocrossers, dominated the motorcycling shoppers’ consciousness – and but the RZV500 was particular and competent sufficient to make eager patrons half with their wallets on the very sight of this machine.

Based on the legendary RZV500 race bike, and being the primary manufacturing two-stroke to be geared up with a V-4 engine, energy was restricted to satisfy the under-100 HP limits – nevertheless, it was probably an easier matter to have it derestricted. In addition to that, it was over 20 kilos lighter than its RD cousins.

1985 Yamaha RZV500 Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

7 1999 Yamaha R7 OW07

Max Power: 106 HP

Originally meant to be a homologation special for use in the WSBK and endurance racing, the R7 or the OW-02 was manufactured for simply two years for a restricted run of simply 500 models to satisfy homologation. It was powered by a 749cc, liquid-cooled five-valve four-cylinder engine that was restricted to producing simply over 100 horsepower and 53 pounds-feet to adjust to laws on the market internationally.

But this was a serious draw back. As the bike was already costly, house owners didn’t need to spend a substantial further to make the bike aggressive sufficient for the category that it raced in.

1999 Yamaha R7 OW07 Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

6 1998 Yamaha XJR1300 SP

Max Power: 106 HP

With its eye-catching SP color scheme, generous amounts of displacement on provide from the inline-four, potent efficiency and relaxed ergo’s, the 1998 XJR1300 SP definitely deserves a point out on this checklist as considered one of Yamaha’s sweetest using and enjoyable nakeds.

The engine is an old-school basic 4 – air-cooled, with a characteristically relaxed energy supply that’s extra suited to cruising than spirited using, however by no means feels quick on oomph. The Öhlins suspension is plush and comfortable, making this an easy-riding bike that may do a great quantity of touring as effectively in that case desired.

1998 Yamaha XJR1300 SP Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

5 1998 Yamaha R6

Max Power: 108 HP

The Yamaha YZF600 R6 was meant to be the R1’s smaller-displacement, track-focused alternative. Launched in 1999, it was the primary 600cc manufacturing sports activities bike to interrupt the 100 HP horsepower mark, utilizing an all-new design that Yamaha claimed produced 108 HP on the crank, revving over 16,000 RPM.

A promising begin to one of many earliest and best 600’s ever made, the R6 carried out akin to its older brother, the R1, dynamically talking, and likewise seemed as swish as its older brother. It was only in 2006 that the R6 was taken to an entire new stage, with a real screamer of an engine, reaching 17,500 RPM.

1998 Yamaha R6 Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

4 1989 Yamaha FZR750R OW01

Max Power: 121 HP

The FZR750 was a fairly profitable street bike for Yamaha, and following homologation guidelines, the OW01 was created. This closely race-inspired model of the FZR750R got here with a revised body and steering geometry, and was endowed with trick bits from the FZR1000 and FZR750R endurance bikes.

Take for instance the EXUP exhaust power valve, which compensated for an engine design that was extremely strung and liable to affected by low and mid-range energy losses. Apart from that, the Ohlins rear suspension and meaty four-piston Nissin brakes had been definitely as much as the race-ready calls for that this bike would finally see from most of its house owners.

1989 Yamaha FZR750R OW01 Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

3 1985 Yamaha VMAX 1200

Max Power: 145 HP

A bike conceived for the only function of laying down strips of rubber on the drag strip, greater than for cruising, resulted in one of many first-ever muscle cruisers to hit the worldwide market in 1985. The V-Max remains relevant to this day and is well-known for being fairly a handful to trip quick and from a standstill – due to the acceleration and torque on provide.

At the identical time, nevertheless, it is this character of the bike that individuals actually love and respect. Although the second-gen mannequin of this bike vastly overshadows the unique, it might merely not exist if not for the success of its predecessor.

1985 Yamaha VMAX 1200 Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

2 1988 Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP

Max Power: 148 HP

The FZR1000 was born as a flagship sport tourer that Yamaha primarily based off of the FZR750, with the Genesis engine design, canting the engine 45° ahead. This was finished to make sure that there was sufficient house for the downdraft carbs to be positioned optimally, and hold the general width as slim as doable. By 1989, it featured the EXUP exhaust valve and elevated energy, and it was an actual hoot to trip.

Oddly, it was geared up with a five-speed gearbox versus a six-speed that got here with the 750. Nonetheless, the bike was considerably highly effective and felt virtually as nimble as its 750cc counterpart, due to the Deltabox body and a suspension setup that was an amazing trade-off between sporty dealing with and luxury.

1987 Yamaha FZR1000 Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)

1 1998 Yamaha R1

Max Power: 148.5 HP

The OG, 1998 Yamaha R1 evoked an earth-shattering gasp of shock upon the time of its launch, redefining and pioneering the twin-headlight design language that the majority producers emulated in their very own designs, shortly after the R1 was launched.

Not solely blessed with staggeringly attractiveness, the R1 was a chic machine to trip as effectively, treating the rider as its personal and offering nice suggestions and confidence within the course of. It was lighter than most of its competitors, fulfilling its design function of a liter-class bike however with a 600’s agility.

1998 Yamaha R1 Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from MotorcycleSpecs)