Ex-Iain Duffus, 1994 Supersport 600 TT-winning, 1994 Yamaha FZR600 Production Racing Motorcycle

By the end of the 1980s, the Supersport 600 class had become established as one of the most important market sectors. Yamaha's first effort, the FZ600, had always lagged behind the opposition in terms of both specification and performance, but that all changed in 1989 when the Iwata factory released the FZR600. The latter embodied the design ethos of Yamaha's larger sports bikes, featuring an engine canted forwards and a Deltabox beam frame that looked aluminium but was in fact painted steel (as was the swinging arm). Penny-pinching details aside, the FZR offered superb handling and more mid-range grunt than its rivals (thanks to a long[ish] stroke) plus a top speed of 140mph.

The Supersport market's increasing importance had been recognised by the A-CU when they introduced that category to the Isle of Man TT races in 1989. Yamaha's contender was the FZR600R, described by Motor Cycle News as the new boss of the middleweight class on their first ride.

Nevertheless, success at the TT did not come immediately, and it would be 1994 before Yamaha chalked up that historic first victory courtesy of Iain Duffus, who rode the machine offered here to victory in the Supersport 600 TT at an average speed of 115.31mph. This win was achieved against significant opposition, Duffus' Duckhams-sponsored Yamaha being followed home by the Hondas of Ian Simpson, Steve Ward, Phil McCallen, Bob Jackson, Nick Jefferies and Joey Dunlop respectively (see June 1994 MCN article on file).

The 1994 Supersport 600 TT win was a defining moment for Scotsman Iain Duffus, demonstrating that talent and determination on the Mountain Course could overcome the advantage of bigger budgets and factory-backed teams. The victory helped establish a strong Isle of Man TT career, with Duffus going on to claim multiple podium finishes throughout the 1990s and deliver a series of iconic performances aboard the later V&M machines.

The private vendor purchased this Yamaha FZR600 Supersport racer directly from Iain Duffis in February 1995 (purchase receipt on file). Unused since purchase, the Yamaha has been dry stored as part of the engineer owner's private collection. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road/track and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.

An iconic piece of road racing history!

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