Yamaha YZF750R Review

Rule No1, do not pay high dealer prices, there is still plenty of choice and these bikes are not as popular now as say a ZXR750, ZX7R, GSXR750 etc.
Rule No2, Check for history, especially warped front discs, Exup valve, worn rear shock and engine oil level. These bikes are strong but the usual Yamaha achilles heal still exsists.
Rule No3, Pick the colour carefully, original cocktail colours were best, after that colours went downhill rapidly, newer black bikes probably best or if your lucky find one with race paint scheme. Cadbury's Boost is the best. I found a complete black body and single seat cover on Ebay sold by a breaker for £235, best bit was once fitted I sold my original white hideous body complete with shell suit stickers for £265 ! Just need to polish the purple wheels now.

If you do find a good one they are a gem and probably the best road and track biased 750 superbike of their time. Newer GSXR750's were both lighter, faster and more scary but also cost much more second hand.

The engine pulls well in every gear ( watch for worn second gear and grabby clutch ) but these Genesis 5 valve engines are known to burn oil so keeping an eye on oil level is essential. The suspension is fully adjustable after '94 and '95+ will get you an Ohlins rear shock. Try and set to standard first then adjust for your own preference if you are comfortable with that.

If you want to change the exhaust try to keep it to just a rear silencer as removal of the exup header pipes cause all sorts of set up problems. The header pipes are likely to be corroded by now but are well made so welding repairs are probably better and much cheaper then replacement ( at least it was for me, spray painted after ). The best places for parts are either Ebay or bike breakers ( genuine Yamaha parts are obscenely expensive ).

Dispite their age they can keep up with most new litre bikes especially on the twisty's, if not your probably going a bit looney ( in which case good medical insurance needed ). The riding position is more comfortable then many superbikes which means more miles with smiles.

Brakes are six potters but need a good squeeze to get them going, rear tends to lock up so I don't bother with it now ! Once the front calipers have been rebuilt go for braided lines for best stopping confidence ( if the front calipers have not yet seized your really lucky or that honour is still to come ).

The chassis is first class and very stable especially with the suspension set up correctly, turning the bike is easy and it begs to drop on its side for knee down action. These bikes also suit shorter riders due to the low seat height and they are not top heavy.

Overall they are reat fun to ride, cost little to buy, insurance is also reasonable and 130 miles to a tank is possible. Just make sure it is not an abused wreck in the first place and you will find many happy miles together.

Track set suspension 41mm upside down forks and rear ohlins and a stiff deltabox frame give superb feedback to the rider.

Upgrade to prolite discs and braided hoses and the 6 pots will let you stoppie all day long ;-)

The bike has a very stif deltabox design frame which gives fantastic feedback to the rider, along with fully adjustable upside down forks and rear ohlins make this bike handle superbly.

The standard brakes are a let down and dont stop well for 6 pots! A set of prolites and braided hoses sort this out.

My bike has had an aftermarket exhaust, k&n, and dynojet kit and is more than capable of keeping up with the new bikes. However to get the best power output you do need to take it up the entire rev range, but has no power spikes and has a completly smooth torque curve so all the power is useable and makes for some great cornering.

The bike has quite a relaxed riding position which makes it usuable for touring but the stif track set suspension really does kill the wrists.

Make sure you keep it well maintaned and nothing will go wrong. If your buying one, make sure the brakes have allready been sorted, as this will also show the bike has been cared for.