Uhmmmm
What I didn't say is that $5200 for a "core" RZ is NOT "reasonably priced"... even if it is all there and has the good pipes.
I bought the same bike, a '89 Canadian RZ (the Brazilian '89 has dual headlights and a crappy motor) at the beginning of covid for $1100 that was in better shape. About 2 yrs ago I got one in worse shape for $750.
I've been "collecting" Yamaha 2T twins a while (I have more than a dozen of various description) and in the last 10 years the price of RZs has been MENTAL. They are in NO WAY rare, they're not even that great a bike by today's standard ( a new Kawi 400 twin will SPANK a RZ on the track and is a much friendlier bike on the street)... and what I can't figure out is why the most desirable RZ is a '84 (the last year they were sold in the US), which is a dog compared to the Canadian '88 or '89.
In the same vein: a US RD400F Daytona, in GOOD shape, will sell for $10,000USD. The Canadian F or G (3J7) with improved porting, more HP, more RPM, electronic ignition, better suspension and a crankshaft that doesn't self destruct at 9500rpm sells for a LOT less.
The RD-LC, which is arguably the best RD ever gets no respect either...
Most of the RD/RZs I see for sale, even the big buck ones, are a clapped out POS
... if you buy that RZ: know that tank is un-obtainable (the post '84 tanks changed). There's aftermarket ones... Byron will make you one. I can fix that one. That fairing, only offered in the Canadian market, is unicorn tears rare. The transmissions in RZs were made from this weird alloy of chromium steel and cottage cheese... and are no longer available, you can get Banshee parts but the ratios are all wrong... and because of WHO bought RD/RZs, ALL the transmissions are toast. There are NO 6th gears left... STOP PRE-LOADING THE SHIFTER WHEN YOU SHIFT WITHOUT THE CLUTCH, it does nothing but wreck gears.
If you WANT to buy that bike: DON'T. I'll sell you a '89, with a brand new WickedATV 421cc motor (about 100HP), GSXR suspension and 17" wheels for not much more than his asking. I'll build you a RD400 for his asking.
... yeah I collect these bikes, but I think they're HUGELY overpriced, stupidly overpriced. i should have slapped them together and sold them for big bucks during covid... like everybody else did... but I'm not like that.
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