2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 And YZF-R1M First Look

Yamaha's unique crossplane-crankshaft engine helps make the YZF-R1 stand apart from its superbike/supersport competition, and for 2020 the R1 and its high-end R1M sister receive evolutionary upgrades that will increase their appeal to sportbike consumers.

Visually, you’ll notice new LED headlights and bodywork that’s purported to be 5.3 percent more aerodynamic. Hidden beneath is a new cylinder head with a smaller and shorter intake tract, with new injectors spraying fuel directly against the intake valves for a claimed improvement in fuel atomization. Camshafts and finger-follower rocker arms are also new. Oddly, there is no mention of increased power.

Upgraded electronics are a key improvement for 2020, now using a ride-by-wire system built around the new Accelerator Position Sensor with Grip (APSG), which eliminates physical throttle cables and combines with the R1’s six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).

A lighter Bosch ABS unit enables a new two-level-adjustable Cornering-ABS capability, as well as a new Engine Brake Management system adjustable to three levels of engine-braking force. Traditional braking abilities are augmented by toothier brake pads to go along with stainless steel brake lines.

The KYB fork is new with updated shim-stack internals, while the fully adjustable KYB shock has revised settings. Bridgestone RS11 Battlax tires receive a new tread design.

All the good stuff that has made the R1 desirable remain, including its distinctive crossplane crank, titanium intake valves and connecting rods, aluminum fuel tank, cast-magnesium wheels, traction/slide control, up-and-down quickshifter, and vibrant TFT instrumentation.

The 2020 R1 will be available this September in blue or Raven colors, with an MSRP of $17,399. Interestingly, Yamaha claims the curb weight is now 448 pounds, an increase of 7 from 2019.

The M variant is the pinnacle of R1 advancement, featuring Öhlins suspension, GPS-enabled datalogging, carbon-fiber bodywork, and a hand-polished aluminum fuel tank.

For 2020, the R1M is upgraded with a premium Öhlins fork, a pressurized NPX version that uses a gas cylinder built into the fork’s axle bracket. The Öhlins shock receives optimized settings to complement the new fork. The suspension settings can be tweaked via the TFT instrumentation or the YRC Setting app.

The R1M now features a carbon-fiber tail cowl to complement the existing M’s carbon passenger-seat cowl. It also receives all the upgrades of its 2020 R1 sibling, including engine, bodywork, electronics, and brake updates.

The R1M’s top-shelf componentry has always been premium-priced, and for 2020 its MSRP gets steeper. It now lists for $26,099, an increase of $3,100 from 2019. Its claimed curb weight also jumps 7 pounds like its sibling, now stated at 450 pounds. Order now to be in line to get yours when they hit dealers in September.