Yamaha R1, R3, R6, MT-09 preview

Yamaha will reveal its new R1, R6, R3 and an adventure-style MT-09 at the EICA motorcycle show in Milan on November 3.

The Japanese company has released a video that gives some hints that the new R1 will be a total revamp with the title “Nothing stays the same”. Even the engine sounds different, possibly ditching the crossplane crank.

It features MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and four-times AMA superbike champion Josh Hayes riding the bike around a track.

Few details are revealed, but you get a long look at the new colour instruments and a top speed of 262km/h in fifth gear with 12,000 revs. That indicates there could be the potential to break the 300km/h barrier like the supercharged Kawasaki H2 is expected to when it is also unveiled at EICMA.

The R1 instruments also hint at a number of hi-tech rider aids such as traction control, stability control, launch control, power modes, suspension adjustment, and “QS” and “LIF”, whatever they are.

The exhaust has been moved from under the seat to a stubby unit under the engine and it feature headlight “eyebrows” which are probably daytime LED running lights.

Yamaha is expected to release a track-only version of the R1 just as Kawasaki has built the H2R track version.

While the R1 gets a total revamp, the new R6 only comes in a new colour scheme called Race Blu, inspired by the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike.

That colour will also feature in the new YZF-R3, which is powered by a 321cc parallel-twin with 31kW of power and 27Nm of torque. It’s basically a bigger version of the YZF-R25 which was unveiled for Asian markets in May.

The R3 has a tubular steel frame, a wet weight of 169kg, ABS standard with a single 298mm floating front disc and 220mm rear.

Yamaha is also believed to be unveiling an adventure version of its MT-09 triple with handguards, Super Tenere styling, long-travel suspension and the suspected title of MT-09X.

It will be powered by the same 850cc triple as the MT-09 and should be strong competition for the BMW F 800 GS and Triumph Tiger 800 XC.

No word yet of when any of these models will be available in Australia. However, we will be at the media launch of the Tricity leaning three-wheeler scooter next week and hope to get a clearer picture then.