Bikes

Image Gallery: Inside the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1M

A closer look at Yamaha's new limited-edition literbike

December 17, 2014

The 2015 YZF-R1M retails for $21,990, compared to $16,490 for the standard model. Bikes will be in dealers in February of 2015, R1M owners in the US will have access to on-track training and technicians who can provide race set-up advice.

The headlights and turn signals on the standard and M versions of the new R1 are LED. The M's bodywork is all carbon fiber and finished in "Carbon Fiber/Liquid Metal" colors. Curb weight is a claimed 441 pounds, two pounds heavier than the standard model.

Ohlins semi-active suspension front and rear works through a Suspension Control Unit, which receives data from the R1's six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit. The SCU takes into account speed, attitude, lean angle, acceleration and brake pressure, and adjusts rebound and compression damping for optimum suspension performance. Spring rates are stiffer front and rear than on the standard R1.

Two modes are offered for suspension control, Automatic and Manual. In Automatic mode, the system continuously adjusts rebound and compression damping to provide optimum damping as required; Manual mode allows damping to be fine-tuned and preset. Important to note is that you can also adjust the starting point settings for two of the Automatic modes (A-1 and A-2) between a range of +5 and -5 "clicks."

Ohlins shock is four-way adjustable and controlled electronically in either Automatic or Manual mode. The R1M's swingarm is polished aluminum rather than painted as on the standard model.

The YZF-R1M is shod with special-compound Bridgestone tires, the rear in a 200/55 size compared to the standard model's 190/55. Other detail differences between the R1 and R1M include gold-colored front brake calipers and an R1M badge on the airbox cover.

The YZF-R1M electonics package includes the same riding aids found on the standard model, with a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit providing data 125 times per second. Power Delivery Mode, Traction Control System, Slide Control System, Lift Control System, Launch Control System, Quick Shift System are all adjustable and settings can be saved within four preset combinations. Thanks to Yamaha's Communication Control Unit, setting changes can be made via Yamaha's YRC app and uploaded back into the R1M.

Rotors are 320mm in diameter, with Nissin four-piston radial-mount calipers. As on the standard model, 10-spoke cast magnesium wheels reduce unsprung/rotating weight by 1.9 pounds over the previous model.

Yamaha's Communication Control Unit, offered as an option on the R1, is standard equipment on the R1M. The system is GPS-enabled and records data that can be downloaded via WiFi to the Yamaha Y-TRAC smartphone and tablet app. The data can then be analyzed and overlaid with the track map.

The R1M's braking system is identical to the standard model's, and includes ABS. The Unified Braking System activates the rear brake when the front brake is applied, distributing braking force based on the bike's attitude and lean angle. Yamaha will sell a Race ECU that disables the UBS function.

Both the R1 and the R1M feature an aluminum fuel tank, which weighs 3.5 pounds less than a comparable steel unit. On the R1M, the tank has a hand-polished (!) aluminum finish rather than being painted.

Yamaha's YZF-R1 is all-new for 2015, and the M version features Ohlins semi-active suspension and other upgrades. Here we take a closer look at the new bike and what distinguishes it from the standard model, through a selection of images provided by Yamaha. Scroll through the gallery above to learn more about the new YZF-R1M, and don't forget to watch our first laps on the 2015 R1M here, or read our ride review here.