Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1172754
2020 YAMAHA YZF -R1 & YZF -R1M R I D E R E V I E W P96 tronic Ohlins and beautiful carbon- fiber bodywork to justify the price. First off, the throttle no longer has cables. Yamaha has used its Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) since the 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6, but until now there's always been a cable between you and the throttle body. The new R1/R1M's throttle is controlled by a magnetic sensor that sends a signal to the throttle valve motor, with Yamaha claiming the result as being a smoother, lighter operation at the grip, which helps reduce rider fatigue. Other changes of note for both bikes is the new Engine Brake Management (EBM) software that gives the same engine braking in level one as last year, but less engine braking in levels two and three than before. The brakes also get something different for 2020. Now that Euro 5 is upon us, manufacturers must have ABS that you cannot switch off, and this year Yamaha has in- troduced the Brake Control (BC) System. It gives the rider two options—BC1 or BC2—with the latter's ABS intervention happen- ing much earlier than the more track-orientated BC1. Again, this system works with the IMU to determine the level of interven- tion required. Pretty much everything on the YZF-R1M can be adjusted via your phone on the Y-TRAC communication unit, which records data from the IMU, ECU and GPS sensors to give you an exact readout as to what you're doing—and how fast you're go- ing—on track. The Y-TRAC app lets you check out things like throttle position, speed, lean angle, rpm, traction/wheelie control and slide control inter- vention for a given section of track, meaning there's no way to hide when you thought you were getting hard on the gas when in truth, your buddy did it faster. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2020 YAMAHA YZF-R1/YZF-R1M ($17,399 YZF-R1/$26,099) ENGINE: ..................... Liquid-cooled inline 4 cylinder DOHC; 16 valves DISPLACEMENT: ..............................998cc BORE X STROKE: ................ 79 x 50.9mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................... 13.0:1 FUEL DELIVERY: .......... Fuel injection with YCC-T and YCC-I TRANSMISSION: ........... 6-speed cassette CLUTCH: .............Wet, multi-plate, slipper CHASSIS: ..................Twin-spar aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION: ............. 43mm KYB inverted fork, fully adjustable / 43mm Ohlins Electronic Racing Suspension NPX fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ... KYB single shock, fully adjustable / Ohlins Electronic Racing Suspension single shock, fully adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: ....................4.7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: ......................4.7 in. FRONT BRAKE: ....Dual 320mm hydraulic disc; Brake Control System and ABS REAR BRAKE: ... Single 220mm hydraulic disc; Brake Control System and ABS FRONT TIRE: ....................120/70 ZR17 in. REAR TIRE: ............ 190/55 ZR17/200/55 ZR17 in. WHEELBASE: ..................................55.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................33.9 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ............................ 4.5 gal. WEIGHT: .............. 448 lb. / 450 lbs. ABS COLORS: .... Team Yamaha Blue; Raven / Carbon Fiber Still one of the best-looking rear ends in the business. The new cable-less throttle is actuated by magnets and is much lighter to twist.