FEATURE
P74
Y
amaha's YZF-R1 is more than just another
1000cc sportbike. This is a machine that
ever since its release to a bewildered
public back in 1998, has transcended classes,
genders and generations. The name R1 is as
famous as Harley. People know the R1 even
if they have little or nothing to do with motor-
cycles.
That's because the Yamaha YZF-R1 is a true
benchmark motorcycle, a technological master-
piece. We knew this immediately on its release,
just like we did the Honda RC30, the Kawasaki
Z1 900 and the Honda CB750 before that.
This year Yamaha is bringing a new weapon
to the superbike gunfight, one that's packed
with more technology and gizmos than a week-
end with Bill Gates. It's indeed a far cry from
the analogue, fire-breathing monster that was
released in the early months of 1998.
That red and white missile is burned into
motorcycling's collective subconscious. Up until
that time the top roadbike dog (not racer) was
the Honda CBR900RR, and had been since its
first year on the market in 1992. The mid-90s
EVOLUTION OF THE YAMAHA YZF-R1
The 1998
(left) and 2015
(right) Yamaha
YZF-R—17 years
of evolution.
THE LIFE
OF THE
1
