To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Munich event, 18 October 2025.

• An unused example of Yamaha’s enduro-adventure motorcycle; made from 1975 to 1989
• Requires assembly; presented in its storage crate in “as new” condition
• Registered for the road in France but presented with an odometer reading of zero kilometres
• First supplied to the Parisian motorcycle dealer Leuridan Motos et Cycles
• Powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke, 499-cc engine paired with a five-speed gearbox
• An opportunity to unbox and enjoy a “timewarp” classic bike nearing 40 years old

This motor car has either been driven for no more than 6,000 kilometres or is less than 6 months of age from new. For this reason, the motor car can be considered ‘as new’ for VAT purposes. Please note that due to VAT requirements this lot may only be sold within France, or for export and trade. Interested private buyers, please contact RMS directly.

The Yahama XT500 dominated early versions of the burgeoning trans-African rallies of the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as Paris-Abidjan-Nice and Paris-Dakar. The bike’s tough reputation carried onto the road as customers were enticed by its robust single-cylinder engine, tall riding position, and responsive power delivery.

The example offered here is presented in unused, “as new” condition in its storage crate, requiring final assembly. The bike was originally supplied to the Parisian motorcycle dealer Leuridan Motos et Cycles but was never built to be ridden. As a result, remarkably, the bike’s odometer reads zero kilometres. According to a letter from the UK-based Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (available to view on file), the bike was likely manufactured in 1986, specifically for the French market and 1986 model year. It was later road registered in September 1988.

Classic motorcycle enthusiasts simply cannot miss this opportunity to wind back the clock and acquire this “as new” Yamaha XT500.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu25/.