At a time when Japanese manufacturers were getting increasingly aggressive and race-oriented with their 400s to compete in their domestic Formula 3 championship, Yamaha introduced the FZR400 in 1986 as a bike to be enjoyed “on twisty public roads where the customers would actually be riding and enjoying them.” The US got it in 1988, and many riders preferred it over the bigger brother FZR600.
For more on the FZR400, check out this excellent profile on Yamaha’s site where they talk about the challenges of it being the first motorcycle to use “full-fledged radial tires” and how they fought the urge to implement quick steering like their competition to create something that consumers would enjoy more on the street.
This example (VIN: JYA3BFN02KA011254) is said to be a “museum quality” bike as it has just 962 miles and it presents quite well. “I bought this bike several years ago with the intention of riding and enjoying and it just didn’t work out, no time and running out of space. The bike was put in storage a few years ago, gas drained etc. The bike had been serviced and was running good when put into storage but will need battery and fuel to be road ready for the new owner.”
Find this FZR400 for sale in Manassas, Virginia with bidding up to $5,700 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay.