In 1998, Yamaha released the first YZF-R1. The MotoGP victories of Valentino Rossi and Team Blue throughout the 2000s contributed to the superbike’s growth during the previous 25 years. Although Yamaha hasn’t announced any plans to recognise that 25-year milestone, media outlets continue to make predictions.
Japan’s Young Machine is the leading speculator. The journal undoubtedly has a successful track record because many of the “rumours” it published came true. In the October 2022 edition of Young Machine, the publication expands on R1’s 25th-anniversary theme and renders all the potential outcomes.
As far as thoughts go, the artist has huge ideas. He gives the renowned litre bike MotoGP-inspired winglets and a livery similar to the Yamaha YZF-R1 from 1998. The reimagined R1 even incorporates the YZF emblem along the side fairing in the dazzling Yamaha white and red race colours of the 1990s.
Specifications
Although Young Machine alters the superbike’s bodywork and paints job, official documentation support Yamaha’s plan to release a new R1 model in 2023. A YZF1000W item appeared on the FIM Recognized Competition Vehicles file in June 2022. The YZF1000W is classified as a “Road racing” model in the document and is powered by a 998cc, four-stroke engine.
Given that this new litre bike entry is a race-ready R1, it is logical to presume that the track-only YZF-R6 Race’s YZF600W moniker applies to it. The key question, however, is whether the closed circuit model affects the manufacturing unit.
In past years, many anticipated that an improved R1 would introduce Yamaha’s seamless gearbox. Sadly, there was no such communication with the 2020 upgrade. The bLU cRU already has patents for a road-going seamless gearbox unit, but it’s unclear if the company abandoned the project because of homologation requirements or production limitations.
When we say that the upgraded transmission would be a welcome sight in the sector, we believe to speak for all sportbike enthusiasts. Of course, adding a MotoGP winglet set and a 25th-anniversary livery wouldn’t be a terrible idea either.
