Nothing says the 1990s like a YZF paint scheme, Yamaha recruited every Scouse shell suit designer they could find!
Carole Nash says as part of their 'iconic bikes' series...
"...one of the finest sportsbikes of the 1990s, even if it spent its life in the shadows of others. In world superbikes the YZF750 (along with every other 750cc four) spent its life chasing the dominant Ducatis, but in the UK it was the bike to beat in British superbikes. Niall Mackenzie won the reborn series in 1996, '97 and '98 on his purple, Cadbury's Boost...”
In the 1990s superbike racing was all about 750cc 'fours' (four cylinder) and 1000 'twins' (two cylinder). The YZF 750 was Yamaha's answer, following on from the homologation special the OW01. Unfortunately for Yamaha... and everyone else, Honda had released their CBR900 Fireblade in 1992 which would fundamentally change the sportsbike market. The YZF stands out as slightly different to its competitors by being a 5 valve per cylinder engine, something carried over from the FZR/OWO1 before and would be continue on to the R1 and R7 OWO2.
Whilst in the shadow as far as power and poise goes the YZF was a successful bike, especially on the track, international race wins, domestic series championships and success at the Suzuka 8 hour with the legends, Haga and Edwards.
