The competition between the big Japanese sports bikes manufacturers has resulted in countless benefits to riders around the world over the years. Innovation, re-engineering and design tweaks which started on track bikes have slowly but steadily transformed the bikes we ride today.

One classic example of this is the 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1. At first glance it was hard to see what was so special about it, but once it got on the track, results spoke for themselves. Power combined with light weight and a short wheel length meant that for a couple of years at least the R1 was streaks ahead of its rivals.

The trick was in some fiddly little engineering bits (vertically stacked transmission shafts and the water pump hidden in the engine case for example) which reduced the wheel base. This was not much fun for the mechanics when it came to repairs, but here’s another area where the R1 shone. Build quality and reliability were excellent – still are.

Given the ground breaking nature of this bike at the time, it is no surprise that Yamaha shifted a lot of them. However, nearly twenty years after its birth, it isn’t easy to find an original one that hasn’t been slid on its side a few times.

Our 1998 first generation R1 is exceptional. Other than a few small scratches behind the seat, a tiny dent in the muffler and a tiny hole at the back of the seat, she is basically mint. The paint, farings, wheels and engine are all in excellent condition. In terms of originality, she is largely as she came out of the factory, except for two things. The foot peg assembly has been upgraded to a pair of ultra-lightweight Coerce ones. The pegs weigh just 50 grams and are positioned 2cm further back and 3cm higher than the original. Also the muffler, while still an original R1 type, is from the 2000 model.

Game changing, beautiful, low mileage (12,134 miles) and just about to turn twenty – this is a rare opportunity.

Fully UK registered with the DVLA and ready to go !