The Most Innovative Motorcycle Ever - The RARE Yamaha GTS 1000

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In this Rare Motorcycles documentary, we go into the history of a RADD motorcycle (you will need to watch this video to understand this reference). The Yamaha GTS 1000 is one of the coolest exercises in motorcycle engineering of all time and one that was unfortunately forgotten.
This was the first production motorcycle to feature the RADD front suspension setup design that was designed by James Parker, and this bike should have took the world by storm.
This is all you need to know about the rare and innovative Yamaha GTS 1000
This video aims to provide a short history of these unique and rare motorcycles so you can learn about them in a quick, easy to digest video.
*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research then please mention it in the comments!
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[@Gunnnnuttt]

I had 2 new ones. Bought a new '93 in 95 & put 55k trouble free miles on it. I searched & found another new '93 in Dickenson ND in Jan. of '98. I bought it for $8300. right off the showroom floor. Hauled it home to Wi. & put 60k trouble free miles on it. I only wish that with all the innovative goodies on it that they would have put a single sided swingarm on back with shaft drive.

[@alanhynd7886]

Back in the late 70s / early 80s, there was a lot of press debate on the limitations of motorcycle front ends, as they form a compromise between braking and suspension: As you hit the front brakes, the angle of rake at the front end reduces, making the bike less stable, whilst compressing and stressing the forks (remember the tank-slapper, anyone?). Yamaha referenced the various concepts and specialist bikes at that time, particularly the 1991 Bimota Tesi 1D, which used Difazio Hub-centred steering to separate braking and suspension forces. The Bimota design may in turn have been informed by the work of a small UK company called Quasar that had adopted a similar approach. In time, all these innovative solutions seemed too expensive, particularly once the advent of anti-dive systems reduced the problems inherent in standard forks. Was on the track, back in the early 80s at the same time as a race bike called Nessie that used a Difazio setup. It looked as cool as hell.

[@ronanmcgarry3424]

Çc 7:45 7:45 v cc 7:45 7:45

[@luisgaguilarm4965]

Good video. Thanks!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Nicely done!

[@dodgydruid]

So basically a Reliant Robin A frame?

[@Errol.C-nz]

Bmw's version of parallel link girder forks ala Vincent's & Britton is a much more robust, lighter & effective system.. the hub center steer devised by Elf.. meeh

[@jamest4424]

Current price in Australia is 20k to 35k aus$ or $13k to $22k US

[@2wheelpartsguy]

Yeah, they didn't sell well here at all. The salesman at DuPage Yamaha didn't want to even look at it as a possible trade-in back in 2000 when I was looking at the R1. He said he couldn't sell them when they were new, even offering it as factory discounted to something like $8k or $9k. The European models got a sport windscreen which would have been nicer. I tried getting one but it was near impossible. Also, Ohlins made a shock upgrade for it but didn't sell it in US. When I contacted some shops in GB they said they weren't allowed to ship outside of country. Stupid. Market protection isn't necessary when you don't sell that item here 🤪

[@alanhynd7886]

Honda NR 750 please

[@raremotorcycles]

I will definitely add that to the list of bikes to cover!

[@gt4654]

The all mighty Husqvarna Nuda 900R

[@woodsrdr]

Looks like a poor man's Tesi 1D.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Love your work, New sub here! I’ve just bought a GTS1000 and made a film about collecting it 400 miles from home. Feel free to have a look

[@raremotorcycles]

Thanks for the sub! I will definitely check it out!

[@GeorgesPizzaboy]

In Belgium they sell only for €1700-2500

[@tetttettamilli6761]

@RM - An excellent video... I had no idea. Just the eye-catching factor alone made it show-room worthy. Both it and the ZX11 were heavy bikes, so was that weight alone that made such 'front-end innovation' moot? But with all things being equal, was it better?

[@edwardchung3576]

Test rode the GTS1000 at Americade, Lake George in 1993 - Very impressive handling in the twisty roads. Also very confidence inspiring.

[@Gtr4Peace]

Why was the Earl's fork not continued? No dip upon braking.

[@alejandromontefusco]

A copy of the Kawasaki Zzr11