Over the past ten years, the global motorcycle market has undergone significant changes as riders' needs evolve and special circumstances arise. Among the significant changes, emissions regulations have become stricter. The evolution of the Supersport category is undoubtedly among the most noticeable.
Faithful to the origins and DNA of its brand, Yamaha Motor Europe remains committed to the development of Supersport models intended for the road and confident in the product range in this sector, based on motorcycles based on a proven platform like the R125, the R3 or the R7, which will continue to excite and exhilarate customers on the road and on the track.
In line with evolving customer demand and needs, Yamaha Motor Europe has made the decision to reserve the use of its Supersport models exclusively for the track from 2025, with the R1 following the same path as the R6 in 2020.
But this does not mean the end of the iconic R1. Far from there. Global production of the R1 will continue into 2025 and beyond, as will the development program that has delivered the bike to world titles in the FIM Superbike and Endurance World Championships in recent years.
The R1 remains a preferred choice for drivers and teams who want to benefit from a competitive and economical machine for racing and circuit use, from amateur driving to national and international championships.
It is for this reason that Yamaha has increased its efforts to make available to its customers a range of GYTR® Performance parts for the R1, drawing on the experience of the engineers responsible for the development of the R1 WorldSBK ridden this year. year by the six-time Superbike world champion Jonathan Rhea.
Yamaha Motor Europe and its distributors have also set up a specific network of GYTR PRO SHOPS for riders who want to get the most out of their R Series Supersport models on the track. Each GYTR PRO SHOP is managed by a passionate Yamaha dealer who is himself involved in motorcycle racing and remains in direct contact with Yamaha Road Racing Technical Service, the brand's competition department. Examples include Crescent Motorcycles, which runs Yamaha's official WorldSBK team, the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK team, which recently opened its GYTR PRO SHOP at the Misano circuit, the reigning EWC champion Yamaha Austria Racing team , and Ten Kate Racing, the most successful WorldSSP team.
Taking advantage of the unique advantages of this motorcycle, many customers who are passionate about riding are preparing their R1 to make this road model a machine exclusively intended for the track.
The R1 will become an exclusively track-focused model from 2025, simplifying preparation work and providing customers with more opportunities to access performance-enhancing GYTR parts.
In 2024, the R1 and R1M models will remain available at all Yamaha dealers.
Confirming its current commitment to this segment, Yamaha Motor Europe will organize the popular and prestigious event: the Yamaha Racing Experience.
On July 3 and 4, 2024, at the Jerez-Ángel Nieto Circuit, owners of R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary and owners of R1M 2024 will be invited to participate (free of charge) in this unique experience offering a wide driving program, in the presence from the legendary Yamaha brand ambassador and owner of R1 GYTR Valentino Rossi, WorldSBK team Pata Yamaha Prometeon and other official Yamaha riders.
Competition is in Yamaha's DNA. Whatever the challenges ahead, Yamaha is committed to retaining this essential element of its identity and moving forward by continuing to develop the entire Supersport range on track and road, its strategy GYTR, and the unique bLU cRU program dedicated to its drivers.
