Yamaha India launches YZF-R1 & R1M at Rs 22.34 lakh & Rs 29.43 lakh
While the usual fanfare is expected when a manufacturer launches its halo product in the country, it seems like Yamaha has avoided this trend by holding a soft launch for their litre-class sports bikes, the YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M, at Rs 22.34 lakh and Rs 29.43 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom Delhi). Even though there were reports that suggested Yamaha will introduce its litre-class sports bike early this year, the timing isn’t entirely coincidental seeing as Japanese rival, Kawasaki, launched their supercharged Ninja H2 just 4 days ago. The only indication of the launch is that Yamaha India has updated their website with a tab for each of the motorcycles. The YZF-R1 is available two dual tone colours, ‘Racing Blue’ and ‘Racing Red’, while the YZF-R1M is available with just ‘Silver Blue Carbon’, a three-tone colour scheme.
First showcased at EICMA 2014 in Milan, with Yamaha calling it “the most MotoGP-inspired motorcycle ever”, the R1 and R1M both share the same 998cc, four-stroke, four-pot, liquid-cooled engine that develops 197bhp and 112.4Nm, a side mounted four-into-one exhaust system, and the same MotoGP derived asymmetric aluminium frame. Besides the colour scheme, there isn’t much to differenciate the two bikes but there are minor differences like the weight (199kg for the R1 and 200kg for the R1M) and ride height (855mm for the R1 and 860mm for the R1M).
These MotoGP inspired bikes get KYB fully-adjustable suspension front and rear and a host of electronics including Intuitive Slide Control System, ABS with EBD, launch control, wheelie control, and Inertial Measurement Unit, enough tech to keep its usually technologically superior European rivals on their toes.
The Yamaha YZF-R1 will rival the Kawasaki Ninja H2, Suzuki’s GSXR-1000, Honda’s CBR 1000 RR, the Ducati 1299 Panigale, and BMW’s S 1000 RR in the market, and at this price point, its undercuts its European competitors by a large margin, while being priced on-par with its Japanese rivals.
