The 2015 YZF-R1 strikes again, as Yamaha has published yet another video teaser showing the actual bike. Even though we still don’t know how the new R1 looks, Iwata says: that “Everything has changed except the name. Designed with total freedom. Built for ultimate control.” But the few screenshots we made are already telling a very sweet story.
R1 was almost unchanged during the last years, and it looks like the fans begged for an upgrade. By all means, this video makes us think that we’re all going to get much more than we expected and that the game in the superbike class has just gotten very, very serious.
Electronics ahoy: riding modes, power modes and more
The first thing we noticed is how the dash of the new R1 looks like that of the Panigale. Well, far from calling names and all, I’d say that it’s probably difficult to cram so much information and indicators in a small LCD screen AND be completely original. So congrats to those who were the first, and let’s move on, as the data on the LCD is far more interesting to look at then bashing the art designer.
The 2015 MY R1 will have power modes and riding modes, and this info is conveyed by the dash himself. The Mode-A and PWR 1 indicators tell us that riders will have plenty of fun aboard this bike as they will be able to tailor the performance response according to their preferences, skill and riding conditions.
In the absence of official data, we can however presume that the 2015 YZF-R1 will have at least two power modes, such as Full and Low (street, rain, or whatever it may be called). As for the riding modes we may expect Street, Track/Race and maybe Rain, as these seem to be the most common ones. Of course, an user-defined setup would also feel natural.
Enter electronically-adjustable suspensions?
While the TCS3 indicator tells us the traction control story, the one next to it looks really intriguing. The presence of the SCS (possibly Suspension Control System?) means that Yamaha is planning to introduce electronic suspension control in its sport bike range, too. Such suspensions are already on the house with the flagship XT1200Z Super Tenere, but that was about all there was… until the new R1. Brakes appear to be provided from Nissin, too.
Valentino Rossi: She wants to go faster!
Josh Hayes and Valentino Rossi have tested the R1, as we knew they would, and it’s really thrilling to hear Vale saying that “she wants to go faster”. Taking a peek at the dash we see than Yamaha have been dead-serious about this aspect.
The 4th gear ends at 240 km/h (149 mph) and the 5th begins at just over 11,000 rpm, with some 3,000 revs still to go to the top figure. As the bike already does 262 km/h (163 mph) before hitting the 12,000 rpm bar, we can safely presume that the R1 will effortlessly go past the 299 km/g (186 mph) limit of the “gentlemen’s agreement”. Hearing the exceptionally short shifting also hints about a new-generation quickshifter… And maybe Yamaha will add a new MotoGP-derived seamless transmission to the R1, now THAT’s what I’m talking about!
Rumors of a “R1.1 or R1.2”
Some time ago, voices in the industry claimed that Yamaha was planning two versions of the upgraded R1. One was supposed to retain the 1,000cc-class displacement for WSBK homologation purposes, while another bigger R1 would be delivered for non-racing environments.
The move is not surprising, as Ducati is doing just the same with the 2015 model year of the 1299/1299 Panigale S and the 1299 Panigale R. However, whether the new R1 will be in the 1,100cc or 1,200cc segment we’ll find out in early November.
We’ve already booked out places at the R1 event in Milan in early November and we’ll bring you exclusive close-up live photos from there. Stay tuned!
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