Photoshoot of the Week: February 24th-March 1st 2020- Sabrina Alexandra & Yamaha R1M

The YZF-R1M is a purpose-built motorbike and it feels like a racebike. Yamaha has taken the wraps off its latest-generation flagship sportbikes, the 2020 YZF-R1 and the track-ready YZF-R1M, with both featuring refinements to their CP4 crossplane crankshaft engines, an augmented electronic rider aids package, enhanced suspension and redesigned bodywork. Here is where the R1M comes into its own: the same engine, electronics and fairing upgrades as the R1 but with a wider rear section rear tyre (200), carbon bodywork, polished tank and swingarm plus wireless communications via an app to assess your track performance, the race version is also equipped some of the highest specification Ohlins suspension ever seen on a production motorcycle – the same forks as on Ducati’s Panigale V4R but this time the NPX pressurised forks are electronically-controlled. And, for the press launch, a set of sticky slick Bridgestone V02 tyres, the racier partner of this 2020 duo showed even more agility.
The 998cc inline-four powering the R1M was already potent, and for 2020 it gets new cylinder heads, fuel injectors, finger-follower rocker arms and camshaft profiles. Controlling the beast is an all-new Accelerator Position Sensor with Grip (APSG) ride-by-wire system with Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) that eliminates throttle cables and reduces weight while providing smoother throttle operation. A robust electronics package centered around Yamaha’s proprietary six-axis IMU now lets riders choose between two intervention modes for enhanced Brake Control (BC): BC1 is optimized for upright, straight-line braking and BC2 increases intervention timing deeper into the lean, for enhanced braking into corners. A new Engine Brake Management (EBM) system also allows the rider to select between three levels of engine braking force. Both the BC and EBM are adjustable through the onboard Yamaha Ride Control and Yamaha’s Y-TRAC smartphone (Android only) and tablet app (Android and iOS).
Despite having new brake pads on this 2020 model, the unlinked brakes are not a patch on the impeccable Brembo’s used by Aprilia and Ducati for their litre sports machines. Pulling hard on the front brake lever at the end of the two straights made for a strenuous finger and forearm workout – so much so that the effort into the lever doesn’t match the stopping power. To caveat that point though, this was on track in hot conditions and at quick track day pace.
On the road, the hard pressure requirement wouldn’t be too noticeable and quite frankly it’s handy to know the ABS works so effectively. Plus, Yamaha’s improved Engine Brake Management system allows for three levels of engine brake force as we mentioned earlier, so find the setting that suits you whether on track or on the road depending on how much engine brake interference vs. engine speed that you prefer. This new Brake Control system is more commonly known as cornering ABS on other models. The two settings give differences in brake and ABS sensitivity depending on cornering angle. Handy for those who prefer to trail brake deep into a corner. Turn one at Jerez, for example, an uphill and late apex right-hander is testing enough to carry corner enough speed and the correct corner entry to maximise a quick getaway towards two. Confidence grows with use because keeping the brakes on into the lean or even giving it an additional squeeze once in the corner would be discouraged by any road-based motorcycle instructor.
Summing it up: R1M is a classy, well put together, Euro 5-compliant beauty that gets the 2020 holeshot in terms of sports bike bragging rights. Release it from its restrictions courtesy of a full after-market exhaust system and, despite the additional expense, this is going to be taking the superbike game straight to Ducati and its Panigale V4S… or R in the case of the homologated road-bike based Superbike Championships.
The 2020 YZF-R1M will initially be available in limited quantities exclusively through Yamaha’s online reservation system in a Carbon Fiber color scheme for $26,099.