Rare and Wonderful
A thing of beauty
The latest R1M is back in stock. As a limited production motorcycle Yamaha have excelled, building a Moto GP inspired machine that takes a whole lot from the companies race winning M1. While it would dismiss a decent spin on a well paved country road, it has been created, like its inspiration, for track use.
The standard pack is beyond impressive and features technology that some of us older and more experienced Ladies and Gentlemen of the motorcycle community could only have imagined even a few years ago. And that’s particularly true for those of us who like our track time.
Now while I’m never someone to boast, I’ve been to Qatar and done a night time trackday on one. I’ve also had the privilege of riding another one at a Mugello trackday. As a result I am actually boasting. Meanwhile, I’m able to confirm that no editorial on this machine can adequately describe how truly wonderful the ‘M’ is. I will, of course, take a deep breath give it a go.
Made for the track
Just walking up to the bike and casting a glance at it is an event in itself. The carbon bodywork is finished with blue detailing on a black base. Those blue wheels alone make it a thing of beauty. Add the low frontal area carbon bodywork and the lightweight carbon tail and it’s a bike to park inside the house. Yep, this one certainly isn’t going under a tarp in the back garden!
However, just drooling over it simply wouldn’t do. There is so much going on below the bikes surface that warrants taking it out on track. A complete racetrack package starts with the electronics. These include a comms system that accesses the bikes data logging and even allows for wireless engine tuning. A ride-by-wire APSG throttle and a 6-axis inertial measurement unit are both standard.
Levels of engine braking, as well as the braking itself are adjustable and complimented by an all new launch control.
The springs are compliments of Öhlins who use a combination of anti-captivation gas forks with electronic racing suspension. The engine is the same as the standard bike as is the frame. The wheels are the same size, but come on a set of Bridgestone Battlax RS11 tyres with a 190 section rear.
The look and feel of a race bike, but street legal
The one thing that I took away from both events is how incredibly light the bike was. It was almost as if I could think it through a corner.
There is, of course, an engraved production number. The new R1M isn’t a bad deal in terms of costs and it’s worth every cent of it! In terms of using it in its natural habitat check out www.motocraft.ie and start booking some time off. In the meantime I’m going to start saving up for one…
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