Rumor of Releasing a 230hp Yamaha R1 For 2015
Reliable sources from Japan have recently confirmed that Yamaha R1 fans are to expect a new model to be released this year. The Yamaha R1 has gone a long way in design and power from its pioneer bike back in 1998. The 2015 Yamaha R1 is said to be an updated version of the current R1 with its four cylinder cross plane crank engine. It is not the three cylinder engine which was rumored to be release a couple of years back.
In terms of the style, rumor has it that there are going to be 2 variants of the bike: a racing version sporting a 230hp with state of the art features like traction control and electronic suspension. There will also be a standard version which with a dual clutch transmission. Aside from the R1, Yamaha will also release a 2015 R6 by the 4th quarter of this year. The expected release of the anticipated motorcycle will probably be in Cologne, Germany according to sources. R1 styling comes from the styling cues of the recent R6.
Australian Motorcycle News reported that they had a first glimpse of the Yamaha R1 being tested at Eastern Creek International Speedway. There is no rumor yet as to the specifics of neither the performance nor the pricing but the closest guess of experts is that the power of the high spec racing version of the 2015 will be at 230hp.
Yamaha probably had the EVO regulations in mind when they were designing the 2015 Yamaha R1. Yamaha, as we all remember, plans to re-enter the World Superbike racing which means that they are required to homologate high performance bikes to the public because engine mods will be limited. The bike is anticipated to compete with different top performing bikes like the Ducati 1199 and the BMW HP4 and the new version of the Aprilia RSV4.
Yamaha R1: 1998 – 2014
Taking a look back at the earlier models of the R1, let us try to compare what major modifications they have made to the bike so that we will see if the new version will do justice to its previous models especially the first gen model.
The 1998 first generation version ported a 150hp and weighed 177 kgs. This bike came as a shock to the world when it first came in the late ‘90s. They sported a 1000cc and put Yamaha at a no compromise approach and went ahead with power. The engine had a revolutionary tri-axis design. The wheel base is at 1395mm which made it have excellent handling. The only change for the 1999 model was the color and graphics. The 2000 model updated the handling further for better control. It also had the linear throttle response further developed. Body work was totally revamped and the silencer was updated to titanium. Weight was lower by 2 kilos to its first gen. The 2001 model was another color and design upgrade.
The 2002 generation of R1 was developed for even higher cornering performance and a lot of management for the rider. Yamaha designed a completely new frame which was developed and optimized to go well with the new front forks and new rear suspension. It was fine-tuned and also the fork inner tubes were enhanced in diameter from forty one to forty three millimeters. The front fork stroke was reduced from one hundred thirty five to a hundred and twenty millimeters providing higher management and feeling once braking and cornering. The new engine was mounted higher. A fuel injection system was added to meet the more durable EU2 emission standards.
The 2004 generation of the R1 was a completely new model. The power weight ratio was now 1:1. The HP is now at 172 and the weight was 172kg. 2005 was a color and graphic update. 2006 upgraded the HP to 175. The chassis was fine tuned for better rigidity. The SP model of the same year was 400g lighter. The fifth gen (2007 model) was upped to 180 HP and had a 3 way catalyser enabled. 2008 was a color and graphics update of the 2007 version.
The 10th year anniversary version of the R1 was a completely new bike with irregular firing order. The technology was taken from MotoGP. The FI system gained a second injector. The exhaust system pulsated in line with the new irregular firing order. The engine now delivered a 182 HP at 12.500 RPM. 2010 and 2011 models were color and graphics update.
The 2012 model was the latest version with a modification on the ECU settings that sported a 6 step traction control system. The design on the headlight was subtly redesigned. Couple of redesigns included the handle crown, the footrests and the muffler covers. The 2013 and 2014 versions were color and graphics updates.
Yamaha R1 fans and followers expect a great deal from this 2015 R1 version. Based on the history of the manufacturer, they deliver upgrades and they do not fail customer expectations on their superbikes. This Japan bike is a bike for both the race and the road.