Meet a Yamaha YZF-R7 OW-02 Selling it is no easy task. It is almost impossible to get it to be brand new. This is the case of the model that is currently being sold, at auction, on the well-known specialist website Catawiki. One of the 500 units manufactured, which currently has only one kilometre on the clock and was also registered for the first time in 2004.
This is not the first time we have come across a “new” YZF-R7 OW-02. Last October, at the “Stafford Autumn Sale” event, a model with 2 miles on it was sold for a final price of 43,000 euros. It also belonged to the Virgin Yamaha racing team, which managed to accumulate up to six units of the model, although in the end it only used 4 of them.
Yamaha YZF-R7 OW-02: Born by and for competition
In the words of the famous publication Cycle World: “The Yamaha YZF-R7 OW-02 was unique, with only 500 bikes produced between 1999 and 2000, and just 50 of those imported to the U.S. in 1999. As the last of the Japanese homologation specials, the R7 closed a chapter in Superbike racing before the rules changed to 1,000cc-based production.”
Mechanically it used a four-cylinder in-line engine of 749.2 cc which, a priori, only produced 106 hp. The reason for such a low power figure had its explanation, and it was none other than to be able to homologate the model for sale in France. Later, after receiving the specific power kit designed by the brand, we were able to reach 170 hp “without breaking a sweat”.
Among the main technological features that the YZF-R7 OW-02 had, we can highlight the carbon fiber airbox, pistons forged from nickel-plated aluminum, CNC machined connecting rods, etc. The set was completed with such exotic elements as a chassis derived from the geometries used in the YZR500 of the time, or a top-of-the-line Öhlins suspension system.
The copy currently on sale is associated with the number VIN JYARM011000000560 and is currently at the premises of the specialist Ruote Celeri where, after paying 69,000 euros, we can get it. The other option is to try to reach the highest bid on Catawiki, assuming that this is below the figure set by the company managing the sale.
All detailed information in either of these two links: Catawiki— Ruote Celeri.
