YAMAHA

THE NIPONTHIC NIPPLE
Being a 200 hp machine weighing around 200 kg, almost similar to a competition bike, it was with some anxiety and apprehension that we were going to ride in the circuit of Portimão, a very technical circuit that forces well-studied and defined trajectories to be to achieve a fluid connection throughout its course, blind curves, ascents and descents, a true "roller coaster", Algarve in this case. We knew, however, that the circuit had recently been paved in areas that were previously more damaged and some of the most critical imperfections previously mentioned were eliminated, a reality that we have seen and which contributed to a greater smoothness and safety in our experience.Aesthetically the R1M is beautiful, this year Yamaha chose to accentuate the deteriorating black tones of the aluminum, both in the cycle and in the engine, while maintaining the beautiful deposit in brushed aluminum. The elements of the fairing, baquet and mudguards in carbon give a look of exclusivity that is based on the perfection in the racing personality of the R1M and the version that we tested mounted still a beautiful tip in titanium of the Akrapovic, maintaining the catalytic element.

Evolution in 2018
In the previous panel presentation by members of Yamaha management we were introduced to the characteristics of the R1M, version 2018, and we realized that the great evolution for this year was in the management software of the fantastic suspensions Ohlins SEC, the more sophisticated that are available in standard bikes, now with a simpler interface for the rider to make adjustments depending on the type of driving and the behavior we intend to accelerate, braking and curve.Also from the mechanical point of view there was evolution since in the 2018 version of the R1M we could reduce without clutch, changing the system of Quick Shift to act in the accelerator, producing the "Blip" or touch of accelerator that we usually make to facilitate the reduction , however requiring the throttle grip to be closed. This reality took some time to get used to stop doing the instinctive "Blip" manual and I found myself on track, throughout the session, almost always forgetting that the system could do it for me.

At the electronics level, R1M has also introduced some improvements this year. The front wheel lift control system, dubbed the "LIF" function by Yamaha, is now softer and more natural allowing two levels of intervention or off. The control unit of all the sensors of the motorcycle allows you to check various realities such as motorcycle slope, acceleration and braking by dosing the traction control, ABS, LIF and engine power delivery depending on the selected mode.

Safety in braking
The front brakes are equipped with two 320mm discs with radially mounted monoblock calipers and a 220mm rear disc, both with ABS sensitive to the slope of the motorcycle and also by the simultaneous front and rear mixed braking system gives the name of "Unified Brake System" and acts on the rear caliper whenever we brake with the front brake. However in circuit and in more aggressive braking we were forced to also carry the foot to the rear brake pedal to help put the motorcycle in the correct trajectory. The R1M also has Slide control or rear wheel skid that allows an aggressive and controlled curve approach ensuring greater confidence to the rider.

On track
The 1 hour session allowed us to test some of the tuning of the suspensions and the various electronics options, but in such a short time it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions in such a technical and demanding circuit. The sensation is that we are in a true Superbike of competition, extremely precise and effective in circuit, an agile bike and with a brutal acceleration thanks to its crossplane technology engine. Bridgestone's semi-slick tires, specially assembled for the session, quickly began to show the rhythm that R1M allowed to impose but were up to the challenge. The R1M also includes the Launch Control function which allows a very useful perfect starting in competition.

The AIP circuit is really demanding and forced us to run with some moderation because we did not want to risk a fall, but allowed us to test the behavior of R1M on the track and above all the ease with which the parameters of electronic tuning are changed and of the suspensions, but in order to obtain optimum tuning in the circuit, it requires a more in-depth study of the various options and the test of the same ones in track until the perfect tuning for each one is reached.

MOTOR
Type
4-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve and liquid-cooled.

Displacement
998 cc

Diameter / Stroke
79 mm x 50.9 mm

Maximum power
200 hp at 13,500 rpm

Maximum torque
112.4 Nm at 11,500 rpm

food
Electronic Injection, Ride-by-Wire

Compression
13.0: 1

Exhaust
Escape 4-1

Clutch
Multidisc in oil bath

Final transmission
Chain

Gear box
6 speeds

Pedro Rocha, direto de Portugal