Yamaha recalls every YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M over faulty gearbox

From Yamaha’s recall statement issued to customers, it is understood that the problem is with the bike’s gearbox seizing up under high stress or due to improper gear shifting. This is the second recall Yamaha has had with its flagship superbike - the previous one was to fix an issue with the rear electronic Ohlins suspension. The Japanese company states that it will fix/change the gearbox for customers completely free of charge.

Here’s the problem with the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1, in its manufacturer’s own words:

“In affected motorcycles, both second gear wheel and pinion gears in the transmission may break as a result of extremely high stress and/or improper shifting. This is due to inadequate component strength and stress concentration at the gear teeth bottom land. In addition, the third and fourth wheel gears may be deformed or break as a result of excessive stress caused by hard usage. This is due to inadequate component strength. If gears fail, the transmission could lock up, causing loss of control that could result in a crash with injury or death.”

Also noticing the same fault, the UK’s Vehicle and Operator Services Agency states:

“It is possible for an oil leak to occur, from the O-Ring on the Oil Delivery Pipe where it enters the engine case, because of improper assembly of the components. If a leak occurs, oil could leak onto the exhaust and in extreme circumstances the oil could catch fire.”

Yamaha states that the procedure to fix the gearbox takes almost 16 hours, but its service stations might need to keep the customer’s bike for a longer period if deemed necessary. 

So there you have it. If you are one of the lucky owners – lucky, still, because the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 is one of the best, if not the outright best superbike money can buy right now – expect an email or a call from your local Yamaha dealership anytime now.