2025 Yamaha YZF-R1M Preview

The 2025 Yamaha YZF-R1 wouldn’t be nearly as exciting if it wasn’t rolled out alongside its track brethren, the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R1M. A mainstay of Yamaha’s sportbike lineup since the 2015 redesign, the YZF-R1M is the spiritual advisor to Yamaha’s superbike presence. Already a legend of the Supersport category, the R1 draws its racing DNA directly from the R1M. Game-changing since its 1998 debut, the YZF-R1 is watching another game play out in terms of its future. Euro 5+ emissions mean the 2025 YZF-R1 won’t be for sale in Europe. But the YZF-R1M will be, either as the “R1 Race” or “R1 GYTR.”

Editor’s note: We test rode last year’s YZF-R1M during the 2021 Yamaha YZF-R1M MC Commute Review and 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M Review MC Commute.

First, let’s get the 2025 R1M upgrades out of the way: carbon fiber winglets inspired by its MotoGP brethren. And of course the carbon fiber bodywork, period. Special R1M badging incorporating the serial number may or not be identical to last year’s. Yamaha press materials did not include pictures of said badge. If nothing else, the serial numbers will distinguish it from last year. Like the R1, the R1M also gets updated seat texture, said to improve “grip and ease of movement.” And that’s a wrap.

Back to sibling differences. As you’d expect, the YZF-R1M differentiates itself from the base R1 with circuitry as much as hardware. Active Öhlins suspension, called Electronic Racing Suspension, monitors and adjusts damping in real time. Data from the motorcycle’s six-axis IMU, including vehicle speed, lean angle, acceleration, and brake pressure, figure into the decision-making in either Street or Track mode. Lightweight Brembo Stylema Monoblock front brake calipers and Brembo master cylinder are carried over from last year’s R1M, but are new to the base R1. The R1M adds 4 pounds to the base R1 (452 pounds curb weight), likely due to additional electronics. But the deletion of mirrors, lights, turn signals, and plate holder for track use should get things skinny again. Nice of Yamaha to offer them, regardless of legalities and whatnot.

Befitting a track-only bike, GPS datalogging comes standard on the YZF-R1M. Course mapping and lap timing can be wirelessly downloaded to an Android or Apple app to be analyzed by you or your faithful team of race technicians. It goes without saying that you get the same powerful 998cc CP4 crossplane engine as the R1, with a quick-shifting six-speed transmission with close-ratio gearing. An in-house-designed titanium exhaust and heat shield round things out.

“Carbon Fiber” is the sole livery option, but lucrative sponsorship logos will no doubt take care of that. Don’t forget the appropriate number plate. Aside from all that, all you have to do to go racing is plunk down $27,699 MSRP. Buy a track stand and some tire warmers while you’re at it.