2018 YAMAHA YZF -R1 AND YZF -R1M
FULL TEST
P104
take clutchless shifts up and down, a new wheelie
control algorithm and a new launch control platform—
the latter of which we were not allowed to test during
our single day at Utah Motorsports Campus.
Those three changes also carry over to the R1M,
but the premium superbike is now graced with the
next generation of electronic Ohlins, dubbed Smart
EC 2.0. Not unlike a certain red Italian superbike that
was released a few months ago.
Yamaha also upped the game by releasing its ultimate
superbike in the YZF-R1M, laden with the first generation
Ohlins Smart Electronic Control (EC) suspension. The
YZF-R1M, resplendent in carbon fiber and silver paint, was
a demon to behold, a bike that when you rode it, you knew
you were on something special.
Between 2015 and 2017, the R1 and R1M saw no chang-
es or improvements to the original platform. That's changed
for 2018, with Yamaha finally fitting a quickshifter that can
KYB suspension for the R1,
but the switches to access
the bike's brains are the
same across both bikes.
We don't mind if you stare at the
Yamaha YZF-R1M for hours. We did.
Svelte and sexy—just the
way we like it.