RaWarrior
Well-Known Member
So, if you haven't heard of this bike, that's not too surprising. It was never sold in the US, this one was imported from Canada. It was sold in Canada, a handful of European countries, and Japan only for it's relatively brief production run. This one is VIN #00077 for the year, and from what I could find Yamaha only made 1-2 thousand of these each year. Even browsing Canadian classifieds, these don't come up often.
This one came into the US (Ohio) by a US Army serviceman who was stationed in Canada and purchased this bike while there. The explanation I got was there is an exemption for servicemen that can import foreign vehicles- and title them- despite not being FMVSS approved or 25+ years old for the antique exemption if purchased on a deployment. I purchased this bike with an Ohio title, and it currently has a clean blue TX title in my name. I have never seen another MT01 in the US with a title and getting one would be more or less impossible until ~2031 or so. I had no problem adding the VIN to my progressive insurance- it just comes up as a "yamaha- other".
This was Yamaha's answer to Buell. It's their 1700cc v-twin, but it's not just the Warrior cruiser engine. Same bore and stroke, but otherwise, not too many parts interchange. It has a higher redline (5500 vs 5000), lighter crank and flywheel, more compression (although it still only spec's regular gas), and makes about 10hp more (low 90's at the wheel from what I could find). It also has a chain instead of belt drive, and it's on the opposite side as usual, on the right. As you'd expect, torque for days. Effortless roll-on power from 1500rpm on up. It's a muscle car, more than a supercar.
It runs flawlessly, everything works as intended, and is in overall excellent condition. Currently showing about 11,500 miles. The metallic blue/white stripe paint job is beautiful (not original, prior owner had it done- it's absolutely professional quality, not some rattle can job). Apparently the original color was a dull gray/silver. It has a few other cosmetic add-ons, including the color matched front fairing pictured, handguards w/aux lights, bar end mirrors (the factory mirrors were useless), a small rear luggage rack, and an integrated rear taillight. It also has Dominator slip-on mufflers, I have the OEM mufflers as well. They're honestly a bit loud for my taste, but YMMV. I also have a matching tail fairing (also painted to match) that came as a pair with the front one, but it's not compatible with the luggage rack and I found that more useful. New Yuasa battery a couple months ago. K&N air filter (stock airbox, drop-in replacement). Prior owner installed a SW-Motech center stand. The tires are about 50%. All lighting LED with the correct flasher relay. I also have a Barnett clutch for it new in box (from prior owner). People complain about clutch slippage online about this bike a lot, although I've never noticed any issue with this one so never felt compelled to install it. I don't have original papers, but both the owners and service manuals are readily available as .pdf documents online. I have both keys- this has "chipped" keys for the immobilizer system (Euro thing). The red key is the master/programming key, the black key is a normal one. If you have the red key, you can program additional keys through a sequence on the bike after getting the blank physically cut, no dealer needed.
I've owned this bike for a little over a year. I've really enjoyed it, and glad I got a chance to own and ride a bike that's essentially unobtanium for Americans. It's a very unique experience- the riding posture and cornering of a sport-naked- but with big bore v-twin power. I've ridden Buell's, this has a lot more grunt to it (although it is 500cc larger). Keep in mind this is a bike from 2006- so it has fuel injection, but that's it. No ABS, no traction control, no other electronics. Being this is my secondary bike, my eyes have started to wander and feel like it's time to let someone else enjoy this extremely unique beast.
Gauging value is a little hard since there's not much to compare it to, but I think I'll test the waters at $7500. Fairly firm there for now, in no rush to sell. I'm located in Jonestown TX, about 45 min NW of Austin.
Any questions just shoot me a PM.
This one came into the US (Ohio) by a US Army serviceman who was stationed in Canada and purchased this bike while there. The explanation I got was there is an exemption for servicemen that can import foreign vehicles- and title them- despite not being FMVSS approved or 25+ years old for the antique exemption if purchased on a deployment. I purchased this bike with an Ohio title, and it currently has a clean blue TX title in my name. I have never seen another MT01 in the US with a title and getting one would be more or less impossible until ~2031 or so. I had no problem adding the VIN to my progressive insurance- it just comes up as a "yamaha- other".
This was Yamaha's answer to Buell. It's their 1700cc v-twin, but it's not just the Warrior cruiser engine. Same bore and stroke, but otherwise, not too many parts interchange. It has a higher redline (5500 vs 5000), lighter crank and flywheel, more compression (although it still only spec's regular gas), and makes about 10hp more (low 90's at the wheel from what I could find). It also has a chain instead of belt drive, and it's on the opposite side as usual, on the right. As you'd expect, torque for days. Effortless roll-on power from 1500rpm on up. It's a muscle car, more than a supercar.
It runs flawlessly, everything works as intended, and is in overall excellent condition. Currently showing about 11,500 miles. The metallic blue/white stripe paint job is beautiful (not original, prior owner had it done- it's absolutely professional quality, not some rattle can job). Apparently the original color was a dull gray/silver. It has a few other cosmetic add-ons, including the color matched front fairing pictured, handguards w/aux lights, bar end mirrors (the factory mirrors were useless), a small rear luggage rack, and an integrated rear taillight. It also has Dominator slip-on mufflers, I have the OEM mufflers as well. They're honestly a bit loud for my taste, but YMMV. I also have a matching tail fairing (also painted to match) that came as a pair with the front one, but it's not compatible with the luggage rack and I found that more useful. New Yuasa battery a couple months ago. K&N air filter (stock airbox, drop-in replacement). Prior owner installed a SW-Motech center stand. The tires are about 50%. All lighting LED with the correct flasher relay. I also have a Barnett clutch for it new in box (from prior owner). People complain about clutch slippage online about this bike a lot, although I've never noticed any issue with this one so never felt compelled to install it. I don't have original papers, but both the owners and service manuals are readily available as .pdf documents online. I have both keys- this has "chipped" keys for the immobilizer system (Euro thing). The red key is the master/programming key, the black key is a normal one. If you have the red key, you can program additional keys through a sequence on the bike after getting the blank physically cut, no dealer needed.
I've owned this bike for a little over a year. I've really enjoyed it, and glad I got a chance to own and ride a bike that's essentially unobtanium for Americans. It's a very unique experience- the riding posture and cornering of a sport-naked- but with big bore v-twin power. I've ridden Buell's, this has a lot more grunt to it (although it is 500cc larger). Keep in mind this is a bike from 2006- so it has fuel injection, but that's it. No ABS, no traction control, no other electronics. Being this is my secondary bike, my eyes have started to wander and feel like it's time to let someone else enjoy this extremely unique beast.
Gauging value is a little hard since there's not much to compare it to, but I think I'll test the waters at $7500. Fairly firm there for now, in no rush to sell. I'm located in Jonestown TX, about 45 min NW of Austin.
Any questions just shoot me a PM.
