2015 Yamaha YZF R1 caught testing

The upcoming 2015 Yamaha YZF R1 has been caught testing by Australian Motorcycle News at the Eastern Creek International Speedway in Sydney. And according to speculations the next generation of the Yamaha R1 will be offered in two versions of which one will be the standard streetbike version and the other will be the top-spec version for race homologation similar to the Ducati 1199 Panigale S and BMW HP4. 

The most interesting speculation is that the Yamaha will prevail with its in-line four-cylinder configuration motor and the higher-spec version is expected to churn out an eye-popping 233PS of power. Although many might dismiss the power figure as farfetched fantasy but once you factor in the fact that Yamaha is planning to make a comeback to World Superbike series, it starts to make sense. 

With the new set of WSBK regulation, it is mandatory for manufacturers to homologate higher performing machines for production use and engine modifications on the race bikes will be severely restricted. This means that manufacturers will have to sell a certain amount of high-end bikes that they plan to use for racing; this would result in the consumers getting their hands on bikes that are almost similar to the machine which teams plan to race with.  So it is safe to say that the higher-spec version of the 2015 R1 will be loaded with top-shelf parts for suspension, brakes, exhaust system and wheels.

But this doesn’t mean that the standard version will be a slouch in any means as it is expected to have a power output of around 200PS and will be equipped with a traction control system and electrically adjustable suspension system. The streetbike version of the 2015 Yamaha R1 is also expected to debut with a dual-clutch transmission system – a first for any production Yamaha motorcycle. In terms of styling, from the grainy image one can make out that the next generation of the Yamaha R1 will be heavily inspired from its smaller sibling - the Yamaha R6 but more details on it once clear shots of the bike appear. 

The 2015 Yamaha R1 will be an important bike for Yamaha as in recent years it has been overshadowed by its rivals especially by the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and we hope that Yamaha retaliates strongly. The 2015 Yamaha R1 is expected to be unveiled at the 2014 INTERMOT or EICMA shows later this year, watch this space for more information.