Registration No: SN57 CUU
Frame No: JYARN129000000673
Engine No: N509E0040043
CC: 1000CC
MOT: None

• Limited edition homologation special R1 SP model
• Number 491 of 500 produced with only 50 allocated to the UK
• One owner bike with only 577 miles on the clock
• Ohlins 43mm upside down front forks and rear damper
• Marchesini Y spoke forged lightweight alloy wheels
• Slipper clutch and integrated lap timer, supplied with a V5C

The Yamaha Motor Co was formed in 1955 as the powered vehicle division of the massive Yamaha Corporation more famous for making musical instruments. The first bike produced in 1954 was the YA-1, like the BSA Bantam a copy of the German made DKW RT125 but in typical Japanese fashion this was soon improved upon with the launch of the YA-2 in 1957. This proved to be an immediate success in sporting events, starting a long tradition of achievement that continues today in Moto GP and WSBk racing. The YZF-R1 SP was introduced in 2006 as a homologation special with just 500 examples being released in Europe and only 50 allocated to the UK allowing the bike to compete in that season's World Superbike Championship, Nori Haga ending the season in third place.

This very original one owner example is number 491 of the 500 produced having only done 577 miles from new and is offered in excellent condition. The SP version was equipped with custom Ohlins suspension with sophisticated damping and ride height adjustment developed by the same team that tuned the suspension for the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike, the 43mm upside-down forks have a TiN coating on the chrome sliders to minimise stiction while the outer tubes are anodised gold. The wheels are Marchesini forged aluminium with the same Y-shaped spokes as used on Valentino Rossi's M1 MotoGP machine, each is 400g lighter than a cast rim of equivalent strength. A slipper clutch makes it possible to do clutchless down changes without upsetting either gearbox or chassis composure and there is an integrated lap timer built into the instrument panel. The bike comes with a paddock stand, its original owners books, 3 keys including the all important master key and the special 'R1 SP' tool kit presented to the first owners. A rare future classic that can still outperform today's superbikes supplied with a current V5C.