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If you’re a track-happy yoinker keen on Yamaha’s R1 for the circuits, you’re getting another year+ of inline-four insanity.
Remember when tears were shed over the fact that Yamaha was phasing out their Queen of Revs, the YZF-R1?
Well, Motorcycle Sports’ Miguel Fragoso has just confirmed that Yamaha plans on rolling out a 2025 R1 after all…only this particular machine – and all hereafter – will be track-only.
The move is identical to what Yammie did with their R6; first, they pulled their middleweight mistress from the line, and then they released her as a track-only machine.
Why is Yamaha Racing keeping the R1 on as a track-only bike?
In a press release from Yamaha Racing, the company states the following to their beloved fans:
– Press release, Yamaha Racing, February 21, 2024 |
How long will the R1 remain a track-only machine?
Right now, we’re thinking Yamaha will keep the bike on our local circuits until circuit emissions insist on an emissions cinch.
Yamaha Racing imparts in their press release that they’ve “invested heavily” on building their race-developed GYTR PRO performance parts, with last year showing off the best of the best from that program: The R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary Limited Edition and a slew of performance parts for the base YZF-R1.
Add Yamaha’s additional three-year investments in GYTR PRO Shops that have been set up all over Europe, “designed to share the knowledge and experience gained in racing the R1 at the very highest level with customers,” and we can rest easy; Yamaha has no intention of knocking their top-tier master of domination from their range just yet.
What do you think of Yamaha’s GYTR PRO efforts (and the fact that Yamaha’s R1 is returning as a track-only bike)?