Yamaha's YZF-R1 serves as the street-legal version of its MotoGP racing literbike. It's built for the unwashed masses who may not have any designs on doing any organized racing or even hitting the local drag strip, but want that top-shelf racebike performance while racing from light to light nonetheless.
The R1 is coming off a fresh update back in 2020, so it's no surprise that the MY2023 version is a carryover. It comes with new electronic ride-control systems and ride-by-wire throttle control with an updated engine, revised brakes, and suspension. New bodywork ensures low-drag penetration and efficient operation. These aren't just vanilla systems either. Their designs based on racing feedback deliver a genuine riding experience and benefit from the IMU to add a corner-sensitive component to the mix.
Yamaha powers it with a crossplane crankshaft engine that helps mitigate any potential rocking in the bottom end before it becomes an issue. The R1 was originally released in 1998 with a continual line of succession all the way up to current times to give this bike a solid pedigree and natural line of evolution through the decades.
2023 Yamaha YZF-R1
- Model
- YZF-R1
- Engine:
- 998 cc inline-4
- Power Output
- 198 HP
- Torque
- 83 LB-FT
- Transmission
- 6-speed
- Driveline
- Chain
- MSRP
- $17,999
- Wicked Fast
- Outstanding Electronic Rider-Support Systems
- Benefits From Bona Fide Racing Experience
- For Experienced Sportbike Riders Only
- Ram-Air Effect Kicks In Late
- Limited Color Choice
2023 Yamaha YZF-R1 Performance And Capability
Yamaha powers the R1 with the proven MotoGP-derived CP4 inline four-cylinder engine that carries a number of performance-centric updates. Up top, the valvetrain time 16 valves, that's four poppets per cylinder, and it manages to get higher valve lift with lower cam lobes and reduced valve-spring pressure to lessen mechanical losses in the system. An offset between block and bore further reduces mechanical losses due to piston-to-cylinder friction.
Bore and stroke mic out at 79 mm and 50.9 mm respectively to make for a drastically oversquare layout and dead-hot 13-to-1 compression ratio that'll definitely prefer the highest octane you can find on the streets. A slipper clutch couples engine power to the six-speed transmission for some anti-backtorque protection with a tough, chain-type final drive. The YZF-R1's top speed is around 186 MPH.
The new ride-by-wire system and inertial-measurement unit join to deliver seamless transitions with top-shelf electronic subsystems in effect. An Engine Brake Management system lends even more safety to hard downshifts and engine-braking actions to prevent rear-wheel hop and slip. A Traction Control Feature and Slide Control System join with a Lift Control System and Launch Control System to help you nail the holeshot with no wasteful moonshots.
An up-and-down Quickshift feature lets you bang your way through the gears with nary a touch of the clutch, and the Power Delivery Mode system lets you dial in the power delivery to suit. The 2023 Yamaha YZF-R1 produces 198 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque.
Design
Freshly crafted bodywork on the YZF-R1 encloses the engine area with style and substance but with aerodynamic concerns as a front-burner topic. Spoiler-type fender uprights get things started off in the right direction as they throw the wind outboard and into laminar flow with the engine cowl.
Dual LED headlights split the night with DRL rails for daytime visibility. In between the peepers is an intake port that siphons off the pressurized air at the front of the fairing for a boost to the volumetric efficiency without the benefit of a turbo or supercharger. Too bad the effect is negligible until around the 100 MPH mark, so you'll rarely see it work unless you {do} plan on hitting the track.
Yamaha makes it easy to get ready for race day. The front blinkers integrated with the mirrors are removable at the same time and the holes plugged, while out back, the mudguard mounts everything but the taillight, so it too can be quickly struck ahead of track time.
A compact bubble screen plows a groove in the wind for the pilot, but you'll just about have to put your chin on the 4.5-gallon aluminum fuel tank to find it. The tank, formed for airflow control, has a broad flange up top and room down below, so you can tuck the knee in for extreme body English moves.
Seat height is on the tall side at 33.7 inches off the deck. If you want to share the fun with a friend, a barely-there pillion pad and fold-up footpegs take care of business.
Specs & Dimensions
Length | 80.9 in |
Width | 27.2 in |
Height | 45.9 in |
Seat Height | 33.7 in |
Wheelbase | 55.3 in |
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in |
Fuel Capacity | 4.5 gal |
Curb Weight | 448 lb |
Chassis
The narrow aluminum frame on the R1 gets its strength from Yamaha's Deltabox structure with more aluminum in the swingarm and a magnesium subframe. KYB suspension products float both ends with a set of 43 mm forks up front and KYB shock out back. Both are adjustable with the full trinity of tweaks and 4.7 inches of travel at both ends. Plus, the forks are adjustable at the fork caps for ease of use.
The rake measures 24 degrees, and once the 17-inch hoops factor in, it makes for a four-inch trail figure. Together, this puts the R1 in very nimble territory which should be a surprise to no one.
Bridgestone RS11 tires round out the rolling chassis in a 120/70 ahead of a 190/55 with a “Z” speed rating that is track ready. Dual 320 mm discs and four-bore calipers slow the front wheel with a 220 mm disc out back, all under the watchful gaze of Yamaha's Brake Control System, of which a lean-sensitive ABS is part of the package.
Chassis & Suspension
Front Suspension/ Travel | 43 mm KYB® inverted fork, fully adjustable/ 4.7 in |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | KYB® single shock, fully adjustable/ 4.7 in |
Rake | 24° |
Trail | 4 in |
Front Tire | 120/70ZR17 Bridgestone® BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11F |
Rear Tire | 190/55ZR17 Bridgestone® BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11R |
Front Brake | Dual 320 mm hydraulic disc; Brake Control System and ABS |
Rear Brake | 220 mm hydraulic disc; Brake Control System and ABS |
2023 Yamaha YZF-R1 Price And Availability
MSRP on the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R1 starts at $17,999. Team Yamaha Blue and Performance Black are the only two colorways for now.
Pricing & Features
Warranty | One-Year Limited Factory Warranty |
Colors | Team Yamaha Blue, Performance Black |
Price | $17,999 |
Competitors
Nearly every major player has some street-friendly version of its actual racebike, it's true. However, I wanted to keep things close to home, so I grabbed Honda's CBR1000RR.
Honda CBR1000RR
Lookswise, who cares? These are purpose-built machines with a form that follows function, which is as it should be, of course. The power is impressive. The Honda produces 184 horsepower and 86 pound-feet of torque against 198/83, which is close enough to not matter much, certainly not enough to bridge any potential skill gap.
Honda chucks on ABS and traction control with a slipper-type clutch, but that's it, so it falls far behind in the electronics category. The CBR1000RR rolls for less cash with a $16,599 sticker, but it may not be worth losing the extra electronics.
He Said
“The YZF-R1 has always been a heavy hitter, and Yamaha doesn't disappoint with this 2020 update. While the R1M variant is quite a bit more race-tastic, the base-model R1 is certainly capable enough for both track and strip and honestly, way too much for public roads, so you'll never do it justice.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,
“This is not a bike to take lightly. This is a bike that you'll spend a lot of time, maybe years, developing a skillset to properly handle a beast like this.”
“I sometimes talk about sportbikes being fun commuters, but unless you're a tall person, you probably don't want it to ride around town and commute. The seat height is almost 34 inches, but that's not the whole story. The bike is wide. It doesn't have a narrow waist that gives you a break when you need to put your feet down. I'm five feet, four inches tall, and the ground-to-ground distance was more than my inseam could manage, so I couldn't even tippy-toe. I had to choose which foot was going to the ground at each stop.”
“Underway, all that bulk goes away. The ride is smooth, and the bike is aggressive. It's like trying to rein in a wild beast. It wants to GO and the faster you go it wants to go MORE. It's fun, it's thrilling, but without the skillset to handle it, it'll get you into trouble in a heartbeat.”
FAQ
Q: How much does a Yamaha R1 cost?
For 2023 The Yamaha YZF-R1 starts at $17,999 for the black or Team Yamaha Blue model.
Q: Is the Yamaha YZF-R1 street legal?
The R1 comes with street-legal accouterments that can be struck for race day. As powerful as the bike is, it's really meant for the track but brings its own bragging rites for street riding.
Q: Is a Yamaha R1 fast?
With the 998 cc MotoGP-derived CP4 engine, the R1 top speed is in the neighborhood of 186 MPH.
Q: How many miles per gallon does a Yamaha R1 get?
With the 998 cc engine, the claimed fuel economy is 41 MPG.