Yamaha is one of those manufacturers, which has always been determined to add a little spice to its motorcycles, no matter how practical the model in question should be. As a result, most Yamaha’s are pretty fun to ride. Part of this is down to the fact that motorsport has always been a big part of the brand identity, while the other big Japanese manufacturers have dipped in and out of top level competition, Yamaha has been ever present.
The gains from having a motorsports team are not always plainly evident. While we all love the odd repli-racer, those bikes only make up a very small part of the puzzle. Top level motorsport forces teams to innovate, and these innovations eventually trickle down into accessible production bikes that we can actually own.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Yamaha Motorsports. Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.
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1989 FZR600
Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000
By today’s lofty standards, 90 horsepower might not seem like much, it is more than enough for an old, relatively lightweight sports bike like this. While it is not an intimidating motorcycle, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this to the uninitiated. It is a pretty old bike, bereft of modern safety equipment, and taking care of an old beauty like this can become something of a chore. As such, it will only appeal to somebody who also likes wrenching in their spare time.
1992 XJ600 Seca II
Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000
Although this would have been sold alongside the aforementioned FZR600 for a time, these two inline-four 600s have almost nothing in common. The Seca II, or Diversion in other markets, was marketed as a more approachable sport tourer. Over the years, it has proven to be metronomically reliable, and although it lacks modern safety equipment, with only around 60 horsepower, it is a great option for a new rider shopping on a budget.
2007 FZ6
Price Range: $1,000 – $3,000
Yamaha thought that using the previous-generation YZF-R6 as a platform for a lightweight sport tourer would be a good idea. While it was a fun bike, it is most certainly not the most practical machine. Even though it is in a different state of tune, it still got pretty hot – just like the old supersport would – in traffic. If for no other reason, it is still worth considering because of how affordable it is now.
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2010 FZ6R
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
At the time, Yamaha was determined to make this platform work. In an effort to attract buyers, the FZ6 was given a full fairing in 2010. Sales for sports bikes were at an all-time high back then, so this makes a degree of sense if you think of it from that perspective. But it is still a pretty strange model when you look back at its evolution. A sports bike was detuned for street use and converted into a naked bike, then once again converted into an entry-level sports bike/sports tourer. None of this takes away from the fact that this is a genuinely fun bike to ride, and is now something of a bargain on the used market.
2015 Bolt
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
Yamaha pretty much copied the design of the old Harley-Davidson Sportster and called it good. If that kind of thing doesn’t sit well with you, that is understandable, but if you are after an approachable, reliable, and affordable cruiser, this is most certainly worth a look. With around 60 pound-feet of torque, it also has enough power to be fun, but not so much that it could be dangerous in the wrong hands.
2020 WR250R
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
There are still several enthusiasts out there that are frustrated that Yamaha pulled the plug on this model. On the street, these bikes are pretty approachable. With only 30 horsepower, they certainly won’t be winning any drag races, but, once you get off-road, they come into their own, and will hang with much faster, much more dedicated bikes on a trail. Back when they were new, the one thing holding them back was the fact that they were a little on the expensive side compared to the other Japanese dual-sports, but are now pretty affordable on the used market.
2021 Tenere 700
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
Yes, the new Tenere isn’t that much more expensive, but we have a soft spot for the bare-bones original. With modern ADV’s like this, there is also a pretty high probability that you will find one that has already been kitted out with some of the aftermarket stuff you would go out and buy anyway. It is important to remember that while the Tenere is pretty approachable, it lacks the sophisticated electronics other more expensive middleweights come with and can be a handful off-road.
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MT-07
MSRP: $8,599
While the benefits of buying used are there for all to see, it is also understandable that certain buyers prefer the security of a warranty. The MT-07 has been a popular choice for riders of all shapes and sizes looking for a bigger bike to step up to. Its CP2 engine has proven to be metronomically reliable, but also comes with that secret sauce that makes all the bikes on this list fun to ride.
WR250
MSRP: $9,199
The second of our three new bikes is not at all street legal, but if you are after a trail bike that you can step up to, it is impossible to look past the new WR250. With around 40 horsepower, it is no slouch off-road, but remains fairly approachable thanks to its advanced electronics. You can choose between four levels of traction control – yes, on a trail bike – and also modify a variety of other settings through Yamaha’s dedicated Power Tuner App.
YZF-R7
MSRP: $9,399
Since the launch of the R9, the R7’s purpose has become a lot clearer. Although much was expected from a bike wearing the coveted R7 badge, it was never supposed to be anything like the old race bike, nor the R6, which was discontinued just before it came out. Its CP2 engine only has 73 horsepower, just like the other CP2-powered bikes on this list. The R7 was always meant to be an approachable modern supersport that is equally adept on track, so it can be used as a track trainer. The latest bike even has an IMU which enables lean-sensitive traction control and cornering ABS. It is the very definition of a bike that feels fast, but certainly isn’t intimidating either.