What is an FZR500???

duke22 · Post by **duke22** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:37 pm

I recently picked a some old Yamaha service manuals and amongst them was one for an FZR500. I thought for a minute that it might be some unknown prototype, perhaps a YZR500 in an FZR frame or something equally exotic.

The reality unfortunately is rather more boring - reading through the manual it seems to be nothing more or less than an FZR600W 89 - 91 model, identical including the 600cc motor. The only difference is the Yamaha designation 3HE/3HF for the FZR600 and 3HJ for the FZR500.

So why the FZR500 designation? Did they ever exist?

Post by **FZRDude** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:14 pm

I have a pic somewhere of what someone claims is a V-twin FZR125.

hotcam · Post by **hotcam** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:31 pm

Wouldn't surprise me if there was a 500cc version of the 600,
with smaller sleeves and pistons, just for some wierd rule in
one or two countries.

Japan (for example) has a nightmarish series of size splits in
licence and registration, that's why the 125cc, 250cc,
400cc, 600cc, 750cc. Apparently it takes around 7 years and
some thousands of dollars to make it through all the licence tests.

Post by **FZRDude** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:20 pm

hotcam wrote:......that's why the 125cc, 250cc,
400cc, 600cc, 750cc.....

All we got in the States was the 400cc (only 2 years), 600cc, 700cc (only 1 or 2 years), 750cc, and 1000cc.

Had a chance at a 250 a year or two ago and just missed it.

hotcam · Post by **hotcam** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:00 pm

I could not find if they ever made a FZR125, but the 250cc's are
very popular here due to learner-licence laws.

Until recently the first 15months of riding had to be on 250cc
or less, now it's power-to-weight e.g. 660cc singles, 650 cruisers,
250/400cc 4-cylinder sports.

Post by **FZRDude** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:45 pm

Others on Bikepics.com

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/241154/

sickle44 · Post by **sickle44** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:31 am

Is that the apparent 125 twin Tim?

Missed a 250 just a little while ago myself, but, I think if all bodes well, I'm going to be successful on scoring an FZ400R from Japan real soon. Needs rings but hopefully the price will be right.

Google what the Japanese guys have to do in order to pilot a 1000cc machine. The test is bloody unreal? Go up a 2 * 6 ramp and stop for three seconds feet up, and then pilot down slowly. Of course that's just one of the things. 90% of applicants fail the first time.

Yet here they let any bloody idiot pilot a huyabusa, just so long as you passed your bullshit test at 16years of age. Unbelievable!!! I would think a cross between our system and the Japanese one would be ideal.

rush1 · Post by **rush1** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:21 pm

Tim you look different in the picture.