VOLUME 56 ISSUE 39 OCTOBER 1, 2019 P89
Yamaha's premium superbike offering isn't getting
the full ground-up redesign it did back in 2015, but
the 2020 edition is the most significant update since.
At its heart, the $17,399 YZF-R1 and $26,099
YZF-R1M have still the same 998cc inline four-
cylinder motor as before, with its cross-plane crank
firing at 270°/180°/90°/180° for that velvety-smooth
power and unique low-drone roar under acceleration,
and for next year the motor gets a nice series of
updates to keep it at the forefront of the Japanese
superbike contingent.
A little nip and tuck and the
Yamaha YZF-R1 is good for
another round of slugging it out
at the top of the Superbike tree
(Left) Moreda on the gas at
Jerez. The R1M proved to be a
more-than-formidable weapon
at the MotoGP circuit. (Right)
New intake looks like it's
ripped straight off the M1 of
Rossi and Vinales.
RETURNS
