still comes in at a credible 201kg wet.
Tu r n s out that bowel-bubbling feeling
was well-founded during our first taste
of the 2020 R1, and we weren’t the only
ones, as confirmed by exchanged looks
of exhilarated relief once the helmets
came off. The bike’s initial settings were
in dire need of toning down from full
engine power with an aggressive, super-
sensitive throttle response and too much
intervention from the ABS and traction
control systems. After sampling a few
in-between settings, a particular custom
mode (pictured) was recommended and
easily selected before the next session.
It was transformational. The wild,
rip-snorting beast became quick and
collaborative yet far from subdued with full
power but with a more progressive throttle
response and intermediate traction control
and engine braking thresholds. Tops.
The bike’s acceleration is utterly brutal
yet, with the right settings, it’s also
controlled and, heck, complements your
riding as it pinballs you from one apex to
the next. Rapidly.
In complete contrast to the R3, which
feels small on a big race circuit, the R1
absolutely shrinks it, shortening straights
and calling for commitment through the
ultra-fast and bumpy Turn One of Sydney
Motorsport Park.
The brakes are appreciatively powerful,
even if some of the ex-pro racers amongourgroupfoundthemerringonthesofter
sidelateintheday.DittotheBridgestone
RS11tyres,someofwhichwerecooked
beforeday’send.
Backinthegarageandlookingatthe
bike’selectronicsettings,it’dbeeasyto
geta bitlostwiththearrayofoptions–
especiallyif you’replayingwiththefiner
details– butfamiliarityfixesthat,and
theR1’sinterfaceis intuitiveandlegible
anyway,if notquitethesexybig-screenTV
ofthelatestS 1000RR.
Asperanysophisticated,modern
motorcycle,it’sbesttostartwithgetting
usedtothemainridemodes,findingyour
favourite,thendelvingdeepertofine-tune
thingsfromthereif youwant.It’dbewise
totakephotosforrecordkeepingasyougo
along,too.Betteryet,downloadYamaha’s
updatedYRCSettingappforyourpitcrew
toadjustandsaveforyoufroma tabletor
smartphone.
Ever-tighteningregulationshavestripped
nothingfromtheR1.It remainsa brilliant,
cutting-edgetrack-focussed,race-winning
weapon.Eventothepointwhereit leaves
youwonderinghowtheextra$8450forthe
flagshipR1Mcanbejustified...Aprilia RSV4 RR
$26,490 (plus on-road costs)
1078cc V4; 160kW (217hp) at 13,200rpm;
122Nm at 11,000rpm; 18.5L tank; 199kg (wet)BMW S 1000 RR
$25,670 rideaway
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1103ccV4;157kW(214hp)at13,000rpm;
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MOTORCYCLE TRADER 25
We popped into the MotoDNA garage next door for a taster
of one of the riding school’s trackcourses whichincluded
video shadowing and debrief on our posture, positioning and
areas of improvement with a riding coach. The school, based
in NSW, QLD and WA, offers a range of courses to suit all rider
levels. Track courses range between $295 and $700. Check out
MotoDNA.netThe R1
remains a
brilliant,
cutting-
edge track-
focussed,race-winning
weapon