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.