The iconic superbike got its latest update in 2020 to make it Euro5 compliant. Yamaha has revealed that it would like to focus its efforts in a different direction. The R1 still remains to be the “poster bike” that adorns many motorcyclists’ walls and wallpapers including myself.
However, all hope is not lost. While the bike may not be available for road use, its cross-plane symphony might still be audible on race tracks. Similar to its younger sibling the R6, the R1 and R1M might be made available as track weapons.
The Japanese missile was first launched in 1998 and evolved over multiple iterations into the machine it is today. The Yamaha R1 and R1M will always have a special place in the hearts of young and old motorcyclists alike. While the dream of owning and riding this exquisite machine through mountain roads is in the cold ground, harnessing its capability on track is something most will look forward to.
