Dedicated for track use only are the 2025 Yamaha R1 Race and R1 GYTR super bikes. Set to be available from November 2024 in Europe, the Yamaha R1 superbike has never been officially offered for sale in Malaysia by distributors Hong Leong Yamaha Motor. The R1 has been Yamaha’s flagship superbike since 1998 and the introduction of the Crossplane 4 inline engine and MotoGP-style electronics in 2015 affirmed the R1’s reputation. For the current generation the R1 Race and R1 GYTR feature MotoGP-style aerodynamic winglets fitted to the top of the fairing, along with a host of improvements.

Suspension sees a major improvement on the R1 Race, with 43 mm diameter upside-down KYB front forks. The new forks now come with discrete rebound and compression damping adjustment in the left and right forks tubes, respectively, with separate low- and high-speed circuits. Clad with a low friction Kashima coating, each fork leg features a base valve that optimises pressure in the cylinder by limiting or preventing oil from flowing into the bottom of the fork. This gives improved damping response, enhanced rider feel and better all-round stability.

 

Brembo supplies the braking for the R1 Race, with Stylema four-piston radial-mount callipers matched to a Brembo radial master cylinder. The seat on the R1 now uses a seat cover with new texture, offering greater grip while still allowing the rider to shift their weight easily for cornering. The new winglets on the fairing are aerodynamically functional, designed and developed with feedback from the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP team. Made from carbon-fibre, the winglets improve front-end feel and feedback when braking and cornering while generating downforce to increase stability. Dialiing things up a notch is the R1 GYTR, which transforms the R1 Race into a competition ready package. Each R1 GYTR is built a Yamaha’s specialist GYTR PRO Shop to FIM Superstock 1000 regulations which the rider can then further customise for competition use.

This includes the installation of adjustable GYTR rearsets and handlebars, along with adjustable GYTR Racing ECU and racing wiring harness. R1 GYTR brake lines are fitted along with Brembo Z04 racing brake pads to the R1 Race’s Stylema callipers. Adding to the performance package isan Akrapovic muffler, 15/42T 520 sprockets and an R-Series 520 racing chain. Topping off the mix is a carbon-reinforced fibre glass lightweight GYTR race cowl including the new winglets in black primer, a GYTR decal set, and a racing seat.