Roadracing World – July 2019

Y

amaha’s newest YZF-R

and YZF-R1M have been

updated with engine refi ne-

ments, more electronic rider aids,

improved suspension, and 5.3%

more aerodynamic bodywork for

2020. The R1 retains its 998cc in-
      line four-cylinder engine with the
      same bore and stroke, 79.0mm
      x 50.9mm, and its signature
      crossplane crankshaft. It also re-
      tains its Yamaha Chip Controlled
      Intake (YCC-I) variable-length in-
      take tract system, fi nger-follow-
      er rocker arms, titanium intake
      valves, fracture-split titanium con-
      necting rods, cylinders offset from
      the crankshaft to reduce friction
      during the power stroke, and an
      Assist & Slipper clutch.
      A new feature of the Yamaha
      Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T)
      system is the Accelerator Position
      Sensor with Grip (APSG), which
      eliminates the throttle cables and
      saves weight. Yamaha has also
      upgraded the Inertial Measure-
      ment Unit-based (IMU) electronic
      rider aids, collectively known as
      Yamaha Ride Control (YRC).
      Electronic aids on the new
      Yamaha R1 include: Power Deliv-
      ery Mode (PWR), with four settings
      to adjust engine response; lean-
      angle-sensitive Traction Control
      System (TCS), which has 10 set-
      tings; Slide Control System (SCS),
      which has four settings; Lift Con-
      trol System (LIF), a.k.a. wheelie
      control, which has fi ve sensitivity
      settings; Launch Control System
      (LCS), which utilizes the TCS and
      LIF systems and fi ve different set-
      tings to optimize quick launches;
      Up and Down Quick Shift System
      (QSS), which allows full-throttle
      upshifts and clutchless down-
      shifts with three settings of ad-
      justment including independent
      control of the downshift function;
      and the all-new Engine Brake
      Management (EBM) system, which
      offers three settings.
      Yamaha has also upgrad-
      ed the standard Anti-lock Brak-
      ing System (ABS) on the R1 with
      a new, lighter and more compact
      Bosch hydraulic unit featuring a
      Brake Control (BC) system that
      provides progressive braking force
      intervention as lean angle increas-
      es, a.k.a. Cornering ABS.
      The standard-model YZF-R
      has new brake pads; new internal
      parts, settings, and external ad-
      justors on the 43mm inverted KYB

front forks; revised settings for the

KYB rear shock; and new Bridge-

stone Battlax RS11 radial tires.

The YZF-R1M comes with all

that, plus carbon fi ber bodywork,

Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspen-

sion (ERS), and a larger, 200/55-

ZR17 rear tire.

The R1M also comes with a

standard Communication Control

Unit (CCU) that records data from

the Engine Control Unit (ECU),

IMU, and from a GPS module as

well as lap times. And using the

Yamaha—Telemetry Recording

and Analysis Controller (Y-TRAC)

and wireless connectivity, owners

can download data fi les from the

CCU to a mobile device; view and/

or replay the fi les with a position

indicated on a Google Maps image

of the route or racetrack, overlay

data from different laps, adjust

the bike’s YRC settings, and more.

The 2020 limited-edition

YZF-R1M has a Manufacturer’s

Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of

$26,099. The 2020 YZF-R1 has a

MSRP of $17,399.

Ducati is celebrating the

25th anniversary of the launch of

the iconic 916 model with a spe-

cial, limited-edition Panigale V

25°Anniversario 916, based on the

V4 S with its 1103cc, 90-degree

V4 Desmosedici Stradale engine,

rated at 214 horsepower at 13,

rpm and 91.5 lbs.-ft. of torque at

10,000 rpm. Ducati has added the

front frame of the Panigale V4 R,

forged magnesium wheels, a tita-

nium Akrapovic exhaust system,

a list of Ducati Performance com-

ponents, special badging, and a

unique livery meant to make it re-

semble one of the Ducati 916 Su-

perbikes raced by Carl Fogarty

to one of his four Superbike World

Championships. Fogarty was on

INFO
By David Swarts

New Motorcycles/

Manufacturer News

(Above) The 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 has updated electronics, suspension, and ABS, plus more aerodynamic

bodywork. (Below, Right) The 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M features carbon-fi ber bodywork, Öhlins Electronic Rac-

ing suspension, data acquisition, and a 200/55-ZR17 rear tire, vs. the YZF-R1’s 190/55-ZR17 rear tire.

Four-time Superbike World Champion Carl Fogarty wheelies the limit-

ed-edition Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916, based on the 1103cc Pani-

gale V4 S and styled to resemble an iconic Ducati 916 Superbike he raced.

10—Roadracing World, August 2019