2020-01-01_Motorcycle_Trader

24 MOTORCYCLE TRADER

Haveyoueverhada bowel-bubblingfeeling
thatyou’reabouttoridesomekindofwild,
rip-snortingbeastandunsurehowit’lltake
toyou?MeettheR1,thesuperbikethat’s
graduallyevolvedfroma veryfastroadbike
intoanunapologeticallytrack-focussed
weapon.Despitethat,theR1flatterson
track– evenfora modest-paceriderwitha
bungankle– thankstoa brilliantsuiteof
rideraids,gnarlyaccelerationandplenty
offeedback.Thenthere’sthatcranky
crossplanesoundtrackthat’llhaveyou
convincedyou’reridingValentino’sYZR-M1.
The 2015 versionoftheR1wastouteda
game-changerforitsnewfoundagilityand
sophisticatedelectronicsthatdecimated
thecompetition.Nowwehavethe 2020
bike,whichbringsaboutseveralsubtle
butimportantupgradestotheelectronics,
suspension,stylingandengine,which
now complies with the forthcoming Euro 5
emissions regulations without affecting
those all-important outputs.
But the superbike war is also a battle for
electronic supremacy (as has increasingly
been the case in recent years) to enhance
the riding experience, not detract from
it, while harnessing all those horses. The
latest model’s telemetry sees the addition
of adjustable engine braking as well as the
level of ABS intervention to the already-
impressive ordnance, most of which has
become the norm among the top superbike
echelon.Inkeepingwiththecompetition,

theR1’sthrottlecablehasbeenreplaced

bya fullride-by-wiresystem,whichuses

magnet-basedsensors.

The Euro 5 stuff sees the fitting of four

catalytic converters to the exhaust system as

well as a quieter titanium muffler. To offset

the muzzle and straitjacket, however, the

R1 hits back with a new cylinder head that

features shorter intakes and joints; a new

finger-follow rocker arm system and cam

design for more valve train efficiency; a new

injection system, and a revised oil system

with reduced churning loss. The result

is no change from the 998cc inline four’s

147kW (200hp) and 112Nm outputs, and that

distinctive crossplane crankshaft is still

theretomesswithyourears.Thepackage

998cc inline four; 147kW (200hp) at 13,500rpm; 112Nm at 11,500rpm; 17Ltank;201kgwet

$26,399

RIDEAWAY

THE TAMED BEAST

YAM

AHA

LAUNCH

REPORT

YZ

F-R 1 & R^1 M

MAIN Most R1s will see

a track and look

like this: on slicks

and without mirrors.