Manufacturer Yamaha Successor YZF1000R Thunderace | Production 1987-1995 Class Sport bike | |
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Engine 1,003 cc (61.2 in³) liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder. 20-valve Power 145 hp (106 kW) @ 10,000 rpm, 136 hp (99 kW) @ 10,000 rpm for 1987-1988 model | ||
The Yamaha FZR1000 is a motorcycle produced by Yamaha from 1987 to 1995. The 1989 version, crowned the "Bike of the Decade" by Cycle World, had 0-60 acceleration of 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of over 167 mph.
Contents
The unique feature that gave the 1989 and onward models their Exup name (for Exhaust Ultimate Power Valve) was Yamaha's four-stroke power valve system, a servo motor-driven exhaust valve. This allowed large bore exhaust header pipes (for excellent gas flow at high engine speeds) coupled with the valve restricting flow at lower revs, to speed the gas through. It gave pulling power from low revs, seamlessly, up to the red line at 11,500 rpm. It also allowed extremely radical high lift cams that gave a very lumpy idle when unplugged in the open position or when using a full aftermarket exhaust. Yamaha used this valve system on the YZF models which followed (Thunderace) and the R1 models from 1998.
History
In some countries old stock was carried on to sell in later years, notably 1996 models which are identical to 1995.
The bike won the Castrol Six Hour race in 1987.
End of line
The FZR1000 quickly went out of production following the 1994 introduction and sales success of the Supersport series, led by 1992's introduction of the Tadao Baba developed Honda Fireblade. It was not until the 1998 development of the Yamaha YZF-R1 that Yamaha again caught up.