Used Bike Guide .............................
All you need to know about Yamaha’s 2015-19 R1
How can any red-blooded sportsbike fan look at the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and not desperately want to throw a leg over and give it a damn good thrashing? A bike that screams about its MotoGP heritage, the all-new R1 marked a huge turning point in Yamaha’s litre bike’s development. Gone was the slightly lardy older crossplane generation, replaced by a racing whippet loaded with all the modern gizmos and even had a full-on M-model sibling that boasted more bling.
However, this change did come at a cost – both financially and in terms of practicality...
When the covers were pulled off the 2015 R1, Yamaha made no bones about its target audience. Designed as a ‘high performance pure sport motorcycle’, Valentino Rossi was (they claimed...) involved in its design, and the team also had full access to MotoGP tech in the form of a vast array of new rider assists.
This was, Yamaha proudly announced, the first fully digital R1. So what does that exactly mean? Where the previous R1 came with traction control from 2012 onwards, it was a fairly basic system that relied upon wheel speed sensors and the bike itself lacked ABS. With the new R1, Yamaha dipped into the digital cupboard and came out with a six-axis IMU in its hands, making this generation of the R1 the first production bike to use such a device.
This technology (which is now commonplace) allowed Yamaha to incorporate more acronyms than you could shake a stick at in the R1, all of which were aimed at making it even more potent around a track.
The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) brought with it traction control (TCS), slide control (SCS), anti-wheelie (LIF), launch control (LC) and unified ABS (err, UBS..) to sit alongside a quickshifter (QSS), power modes (PWR) and ride control (YRC), which were all highlighted on the TFT dash with its LCD display...
Yeah, enough of that. What matters most to riders is if these
systems work. Happily, OMG, they do... TFFT.
On track the R1 is quite simply sublime. Although physically tiny in much the same way a supersport bike is, which obviously isn’t great news for taller riders, the R1’s stature makes total sense when the pace ups, as you can easily throw it from side to side. Unbelievably agile thanks to an all-new chassis and lightweight cast magnesium wheels, the R1 destroys bends and is never happier than when it is lent right over on its ear – which isn’t something that can be totally said of the rider...
During testing in the 2015 Sportsbike of the Year, Fast Bikes discovered a bit of an annoyance when it came to the R1’s throttle connection. Like many Yamaha products, the R1 is really eager to accelerate and there is quite a snatch when going from close to open, just at the point you really want the power to be nice and controllable. It’s only an ECU reflash away from being spot on (damn those Euro laws) but it is, none the less, irritating and tarnishes what is a superb motor backed up by some astounding electronics and a goosebump-inducing exhaust note (with a loud pipe fitted).
Get on the gas and the CP4 motor is an absolute demon that, while lacking the older model’s fluidity and low-end grunt, makes up for it with a searing top-end and fast revving nature.
As a track motor it is awesome and the electronics are so good you can lean on them with total
confidence, aside from possibly the anti-wheelie, which is a touch underperforming and keen to get involved. Although, again, it’s not all plain sailing.
The R1’s weight distribution means that when you are riding it hard on track, the rear end does have a bit of a tendency to wobble around under hard braking, despite the UBS linking the front and rear stoppers in an attempt to calm this. An engine braking control was introduced in 2020 to reduce the backing-in but if you are the last of the late brakers on track, it is a bit annoying.
Does it ruin the overall experience? No. In some ways, it makes it feel even more engaging. But what about away from the circuit?
GET ON THE GAS AND THE CP4 MOTOR IS AN ABSOLUTE DEMON.
Like so many of its rivals (the Aprilia, Kawasaki and Ducati especially), the R1’s track focus does see it be quite a demanding bike on the road. The seat is firm, riding position cramped and mirrors crap, and unless you are doing silly speeds, the chassis feels very firm and unforgiving. Is this a problem? That depends on you and your expectations.
If you desire a sportsbike that will make you feel and sound like Rossi (if not ride like him...), the R1 will meet your every demand and see your MotoGP fantasies come true (although this sadly currently seems to be finishing near to the back of the field).
If, however, you just want to enjoy the glorious sound of the crossplane motor and ride on the road at a gentler pace, maybe the older generation of R1 is a better bet...