If you are a fan of sure blue supersport machines, you then may need to mark February 21, 2024 in your calendar. Why? Because it is a day that will nicely dwell in infamy for Yamaha R1 and R1M followers.
There’s no straightforward method to say this, however a number of reviews out of the UK quote an official Yamaha UK spokesperson as uttering the next dreaded phrases:
“Yamaha Motor Group have taken the decision not to develop an EU5+ version of the R1 or R1M instead focusing on other mid-term business and product strategies that will provide future opportunities.”
Sad News, But Not Entirely Unexpected
We’ll miss you, Yamaha R1M. And you too, Yamaha R1.
Rumors have been flying across the moto-Internet for months concerning this very risk. Granted, moto-rumors are roughly a dime a dozen, and whereas a few of them do come true, others do not. Obviously, followers of the R1 and R1M had been fervently hoping that the latter scenario was the case.
Will this make room for yet another long-rumored (and desired) bike in the Yamaha stable, the YZF-R9? The title has been trademarked by Yamaha for several years now, with no public-facing bulletins but having been made on the time of writing. As we have identified a number of instances up to now, although, simply because an OEM emblems one thing doesn’t suggest they will ever use it.
What Does This Mean For The US?
That’s a very good query, and it is one which we have requested Yamaha US to reply. Emissions rules range from nation to nation, in any case. Even if emissions weren’t concerned, OEMs make choices usually on which fashions are doing nicely in what geographic area, and shift focus (and gross sales models) accordingly.
A Yamaha Motor US consultant advised us that they can’t touch upon future merchandise or route for the agency’s US lineup. Furthermore, they added that since Yamaha Motor Europe is a separate market, they do have variations to each their mannequin lineup and their emissions requirements to think about. However, they can’t touch upon both YME developments, nor the way it may have an effect on the worldwide market extra broadly.
What Does This Mean For Racing Series That Heavily Feature The R1?
Yamaha R6 Race. Screenshot captured on the Yamaha UK web site on February 21, 2024.
Following on from the above, as only one instance, the R6 was discontinued a number of years in the past as a roadgoing bike. However, it nonetheless stays accessible for buy as a track-only bike within the UK, purely as a result of there’s very a lot nonetheless a marketplace for it amongst racing and monitor day fanatics.
Could that even be the way forward for the R1 and R1M? They’re awfully well-liked in a number of racing sequence, similar to WSBK, BSB, and MotoAmerica. While racing sequence will solely account for a sure variety of bikes over the course of a given 12 months, it is tough to assume that they’re going to go away altogether.
At the identical time, a few of these racing sequence even have road-legal homologation necessities that the bikes competing should meet as a way to line up on the beginning grid. If the R1 not meets these requirements, sure modifications may need to be made.
It’s a sticky scenario any means you narrow it, in addition to a growing story. As at all times, RideApart will make sure you maintain you updated with any and all info because it arises. Stay tuned.