Yamaha Motor Australia has unveiled its 2020 YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M motorcycles, which feature a range of upgrades and refinements for the new year model.

As the company’s flagship R World models, the new R1s deliver improved handling and rideability with more electronic control for mastering both the street and track.

Yamaha has a rich heritage of building the most sought after supersport motorcycles designed to deliver the pinnacle of performance on and off the track.

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Based on 22 years of proven race-winning engineering, the 2020 Yamaha R1M and R1 are forged from the technology and development gained from countless challenges in MotoGP, World Superbike, MotoAmerica Superbike races, and the gruelling demands of Endurance World Championship racing.

The new 2020 R1M and R1 come equipped with the next generation of Yamaha’s unique 998cc inline four-cylinder crossplane crankshaft engine for refined performance.

Returning features such as titanium fracture-split connecting rods and offset cylinders contribute to a responsive and potent character, while the cylinder head, fuel injectors, finger-follower rocker arms, and camshaft profiles are new for 2020.

An all-new Accelerator Position Sensor with Grip (APSG) ride-by-wire system featuring Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) eliminates throttle cables and reduces weight while providing smoother throttle operation.The most technologically advanced electronics package in Yamaha’s supersport lineup complements the evolutionary engine of the new 2020 R1M and R1.

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Yamaha’s proprietary six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) continues to be the key feature of the package, and processes real-time vehicle attitude and wheel speed data for new Brake Control (BC) technology that gives riders the option to choose between two intervention modes for enhanced braking control.

Riders can select a ‘BC1’ setting for enhanced upright, straight-line braking, or a ‘BC2’ setting for enhanced braking into corners, where intervention timing grows faster the deeper the lean angle becomes.

A new Engine Brake Management (EBM) system also allows the rider to select between three levels of engine braking force to suit their individual preference or riding situation on the road or track. Both the BC and EBM settings are adjustable through onboard Yamaha Ride Control (YRC) and Yamaha’s Y-TRAC smartphone (Android only) and tablet app (Android and iOS).

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Premium Ohlins Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS) has been a staple of the R1M’s chassis performance, and a new NPX pressurised front fork with a gas cylinder built into the front fork axle bracket, along with revised rear shock settings to complement the performance of the front fork, are features of the new 2020 model. With rider adjustability options through YRC settings and Y-TRAC, the new Ohlins ERS suspension package takes the R1M to the next level of performance.

The 2020 YZF-R1 also receives suspension performance enhancements courtesy of a new KYB front fork with a new internal shim stack design, and a KYB rear shock with revised internal settings. Together, the changes result in smoother suspension dampening paired with an improved feeling of contact and grip with the street or track surface.

Redesigned bodywork contributes to higher-quality performance and a more comfortable rider fit. The new design creates a 5.3 percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency while reducing wind noise and pressure on the rider when in a tucked position, and improved comfort comes from smoother side sections where the rider’s legs contact the bike. The 2020 R1M also receives a new carbon fibre tail cowl to accompany the existing carbon fibre passenger seat cowl.

New lightweight, compact LED twin headlights optimise illumination for both the low and high beam, and combine with the redesigned body styling to create a new front face symbolising the next-generation of R-Series design. The new 2020 YZF-R1M will be available in limited quantities in a Carbon Fibre colour scheme, while the new 2020 YZF-R1 will be available in Team Yamaha Blue and Raven colour.

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2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 key updates:
– Redesigned cylinder head, fuel injectors, finger-follower rocker arms, and camshaft profiles.
– APSG ride-by-wire system with YCC-T.
– Brake Control (BC) and Engine Brake Management (EBM) for a total of seven electronic control rider aids.
– Ohlins ERS NPX front fork with integrated gas cylinder and optimised rear shock settings (R1M).
– KYB upside-down front fork with new internal shim stack design (R1).
– Optimised settings for linked-type Monocross KYB rear shock (R1).
– Next-generation R-Series redesigned bodywork with outstanding aerodynamic efficiency.
– Carbon fibre tail cowl (R1M).
– Bridgestone RS11 Battlax racing street tyres with updated tread design.
– New front brake pad friction material for excellent control while braking.

Pricing and availability in Australia is still to be confirmed. For more information, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au.