As one of the leading motorcycle brands, Yamaha has its share of popular motorcycles, but the manufacturer also has its share of motorcycles that have never been released to the mainstream market. There are many motorcycles that meet those criteria and in many cases they were motorcycles that were only produced in a few examples or that were exclusive to a single region. That’s why it’s difficult to locate them on those days, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
This list highlights five of the most underused Yamaha motorcycles, but there’s a lot more to it than that. As is the case with rare motorcycles, some of them are worth much more than their original MSRP. This can mean you have a giant fortune if you have one. On the other hand, it is difficult to get a motorcycle if you see a rare motorcycle that catches your eye.
The Yamaha FZR750R had a short production run, with around 1,000 units manufactured. In 1987, Cycle World called this motorcycle “Japan’s most exclusive sports motorcycle,” and it’s hard to believe that the publication caused the motorcycle to become as rare as it did. Cycle World praised the motorcycle’s functionality and it firmly established itself as a contender in the 750cc range, although it was not the cream of the crop. What worked differently about the motorcycle, and perhaps what led to its rarity, was the price. There were questions about its price when it debuted, and it was the most expensive Japanese motorcycle in the 750 line.
In addition to the higher value tag, Yamaha recommended that the motorcycle be sold for racing only, as it was completely road legal. With those two points in the way, the motorcycle has never been able to claim any appeal to the general public. and it has become anything that other people look at fondly. It’s far from a reasonable motorcycle these days, considering it can be had for $28,319 at the time of this writing.
Yamaha’s RZ500 was a rugged and popular racing motorcycle in the mid-1980s, but restrictions prevented it from being sold worldwide. In Japan, Yamaha replaced an aluminum frame and limited engine strength to keep it within legal parameters and also renamed the RZV500R. This variant of the motorcycle is much rarer, as only 1,600 examples were produced. Power was reduced and locked at 64, a big difference from the RZ500’s 88 hp. These adjustments made it difficult to sell, as it is a weaker motorcycle, and the fact that it was only sold in Japan made it difficult to find.
Since its discontinuation, it has left Japan and you will see it appear for sale all over the world. If you see one for sale, there’s a good chance you’ll have to spend more than $20,000, as those 3 motorcycles are all indexed on eBay at higher prices: £16,995, £17,950, and £18,250 – $22,148, $23,394, and $23,785 respectively.
The Yamaha XZ 550 Vision enjoys a huge fandom despite being in production for two years. It is a motorcycle that has had its disorders in its journey, but in reality it is a motorcycle ahead of its time. It was once considered one of the worst Japanese motorcycles ever made, but history has been much kinder to it. The structure has a futuristic look and the V-twin engine was one of its strengths, as it was considered one of the most productive of the time. However, due to problems such as leaking engine seals and overheating issues, the motorcycle was never able to take hold.
There is no exact figure for how many XZ 550s were produced, but in the short term, there can’t be many. Although it is already more than 40 years old, it is still a motorcycle that can be discovered today at an affordable price. That doesn’t break the bank. Between $1,000 and $3,000 turns out to be the list value for a device.
Production of Yamaha’s GTS 1000 varies by market, but it wasn’t long-term regardless of where it was produced, and there are many reasons for that. Perhaps the bike’s biggest challenge was its $12,999 value, one of the highest of its time. It only lasted two years in the United States and had some excellent features for the time, such as a smart suspension and a smart fuel injection system; The value was too high to overcome.
Many critics around its release praised the motorcycle, but they were unable to save it from an early cancellation. If you need to find the motorcycle on your own, they seem to be on sale from time to time. Unlike other motorcycles that have a higher value than the previous one. years, this is an example whose cost has decreased over time, as you can buy one for $6,900 at the time of writing. Of course, this can be more than the value of a new motorcycle, so there are better ways to spend that. money.
You may be familiar with the full-size TDR250 motorcycle, but you may not know that Yamaha offers a scaled-down edition of this motorcycle. With just a 50cc engine and a height of just over 3 feet, the TDR50 is rarely very popular. It’s precisely a practical motorcycle for commuting, but it can be fun to ride for a while. Yamaha did something similar with the YSR50, so the automaker is no stranger to making small motorcycles like this. At the moment, the TDR50 was supplied with a new two-stroke engine that allowed it to move around the city with ease. Being such a small motorcycle, it makes perfect sense that other people have never heard of it, but that doesn’t stop it from being sought after today. despite having been produced in 1988.
Low-mileage TDR50s in smart condition can still cost a few thousand dollars, as evidenced by one that sold in 2023 for $4,387 and had just 420 miles. If you get one, it may be a good verbal exchange starter, but it’s unlikely to be your daily mover if you value convenience.