YAMAHA YZF 1000R Thunderace (1996-2003) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Yamaha YZF 1000R Thunderace was a bike built by the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer from 1996 to 2005 as a stop-gap model from the FZR1000 to the YZF-R1, manufactured from existing parts.

The engine that powered the YZF 1000R was derived from the FZR and benefitted some changes that improved mid-range power rather than a maximum output, which remained at 145 hp, and the frame was taken from the YZF 750R.

The bike featured a twin-spar aluminum frame with a 45 mm preload-adjustable fork on the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock absorber on the rear. Attached to the suspension, the bike rolled on hollow three-spoke cats-aluminum wheels fitted with two 298 mm discs squeezed by a couple of four-piston calipers on the front and a 245 mm disc with a two-piston caliper on the rear that offered strong braking performance.

In the power department, the Yamaha YZF 1000R Thunderace took its thrust from a 1,002cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 145 hp at 10,000 rpm and 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) of torque with a peak at 8,500 rpm.

With a dry weight of 198 kg (436 lbs) and set in motion by a five-speed manual transmission with a multi-plate wet clutch, the bike reached a top speed of 262 kph (163 mph).