The winning bidder of the auction for the special, one-off Yamaha GYTR-equipped YZF-R1 took delivery of his bike recently at Jay Leno’s Garage.
The R1 features Yamaha’s 50th Anniversary red-and-white paint scheme and was ridden in demonstration laps by 3-Time World Champion Kenny Roberts at the 2011 United States Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this past July. The bike was the featured attraction at Mecum’s Motorcycle Auction held in Monterey, CA, in August.
During the special presentation held at Jay Leno’ Garage, Leno personally handed over the R1’s keys to Milton Verret, whose final bid of $87,000 netted him the breathtaking bike. The proceeds from the auction went to Bailey’s Cafe, a school for the arts located in the Brooklyn, NY.
“Even though I’d have liked to have kept the Roberts R1 right here in my Garage, it was my pleasure to present the bike to Milton,” Leno said. “The proceeds from his winning bid are a huge benefit for the kids at Bailey’s Cafe in Brooklyn.”
Bob Starr, general manager, national communications for Yamaha’s Motorsports Group, commented, “As it turns out, this R1 was a concept bike of sorts for Yamaha. The 50th Anniversary red-and-white paint scheme was such a big hit among our many fans that our brand-new 2012 YZF-R1 is also available in that same popular livery. Milton’s R1 is still one-of-a-kind, but it was the inspiration for our next iteration of one of the world’s most-popular liter-class super sport bikes.”
In addition to the R1, Leno presented a Yamaha FG700S Folk Acoustic Guitar, autographed by Leno himself, to Ray and Phyllis Claridge. Ray was a bidder at the Mecum Auction, and he was so inspired by Bailey’s Cafe that he told Leno during the auction that he’d bid $5,000 for a Yamaha Guitar if Yamaha would donate it and Leno would sign it. Of course, the two parties happily obliged and Bailey’s Cafe received the proceeds.
“It was an awesome idea presented to us by Ray,” Starr said, “and we and Yamaha Music were happy to oblige.”
“That’s the first Yamaha Guitar I’ve ever autographed,” Leno added. “The Yamaha’s in my Garage are tuned a little differently than that one!”
For more information about Yamaha Motorcycles, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.
