1993 Yamaha YZF 750R

Make Model	Yamaha YZF 750R
Year	1993
Engine	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 5 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	749 cc / 45.7 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	72 x 46 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	11.5:1
Induction	4x Mikuni BDST38 carbs
Ignition	T.C.I. Digital / electric
Starting	Electric
Max Power	125 hp / 91.1 kW @ 12000 rpm
Max Power Rear Tyre	113.6 hp @ 11800 rpm
Max Torque	80.4 Nm / 8.2 kgf-m / 59.3 lb-ft @ 9500 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiple discs
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	41mm USD forks adjustable preload rebound and compression
Rear Suspension	Monocross adjustable preload rebound
Front Brakes	2x 320mm discs 6 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre	180/55 ZR17
Dimensions	Length 2170 mm / 85.4 in Width 730 mm / 28.7 in Height 1165 mm / 45.8 in
Wheelbase	1420 mm / 55.9 in
Seat Height	795 mm / 31.2 in
Ground Clearance	140 mm / 5.5 in
Dry Weight	196 kg / 432.1 lbs
Wet Weight	223 kg / 490 lbs
Fuel Capacity	19 Litres / 4.3 gal
Consumption Average	16.4 km/lit
Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0	12.6 m / 36.8 m
Standing ¼ Mile	10.6 sec / 209.1 km/h
Top Speed	260.6 km/h/ 162 mph
Road Test	Moto Sprint Group Test 1993 Superbike Group Test 1994

Yamaha's FZ750 had been one of the m company's best-sellers in the mid-'eighties, but by the early 'nineties it was dated outhandled and outpowered by a new generation of alloy-framed, fat-tyred race replicas. Rumours of a replacement had been rife since Kawasaki launched the ZXR750 in 1989. But at that time Yamaha's answer was to launch the OW01, (a limited edition - and extremely expensive - World Superbike contender), and let the FZ soldier on as a road bike.

But by late 1992, the OW01 had also reached the end of its potential in world-class competition now it was time to build a bike for the racetrack as well as the road.

The YZF750 was launched at the beginning of 1993 and quickly got a name for itself as a nimble, quick-steering sportster that handled more like a 600 than a big 750. It was based on the well-proven OW01 design, but developed to the point where no parts are interchangeable between the two.

Importantly for road riders, the YZF's road manners didn't need to be compromised by its track aspirations. A limited-edition SP version was built for racing, with a close-ratio gearbox, stiffer, multi-adjustable suspension, a single race seat and huge

carburettors.

That left the standard YZF with more useable gear ratios, proper pillion accommodation and far better engine behaviour than the SP. In fact, only the SP's adjustable suspension made YZF owners jealous. Yamaha listened to them and the standard YZF soon sprouted fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension front and rear.

The new suspension helped to make an already quick-steering and sweet-handling bike into a real road weapon. Surprisingly for a 750, it's easy to handle on twisty backroads, and civilised enough to cover long distances in reasonable comfort. That's partly down to the quality of the suspension, which allows relatively soft springs without compromising control - bumpy bends don't throw the YZF off line, or throw the rider out of his seat. But if you really want to experience the YZF's mind-expanding limits safely you need smooth, open roads or the freedom of a race track.

Because the YZF is fast. Not just in terms of outright speed - Kawasaki's ZXR is a little faster in still conditions. What makes the YZF's engine special is its smooth, linear midrange power delivery. For this, we have to thank Yamaha's unique EXUP system. The EXUP (it stands for Exhaust Ultimate Powervalve) is a valve in the exhaust collector pipe that opens and closes at preset revs, and fools the engine into thinking it has an exhaust pipe specifically tuned for those revs. The result is apparent as soon as you ride the YZF -where its competitors have little low-down pull, followed by peak power coming in with a bang, the YZF just pulls, and pulls, and pulls, from 3,000rpm all the way to the 13,000rpm redline.

Slowing the YZF down from its 160mph+ top speed are some of the most powerful front brakes fitted to any road bike. Twin discs are gripped so hard by six-piston calipers it's not unknown for the discs to warp under the strain. Other bikes now wear six-piston brakes (including some Triumphs and Suzukis), but the YZF was the first production bike to boast them as standard.

But its instant success as a road bike wasn't to be mirrored on the track. It was to be late 1994 before the YZF proved its worth and achieved its first serious international success - victory at the Bol d'Or 24-hour race in the hands of brothers and ex-GP racers Christian and Dominique Sarron. The race bike had finally caught up with the road bike.