2021 Yamaha YZF-R1M MC Commute Review

Yamaha was the first Japanese sportbike to go head to head against its European rivals in the realm of high-end carbon fiber-clad limited-edition superbikes with its original YZF-R1M. Fast-forward to today and the Tuning Fork brand continues to offer something special with its 2021 YZF-R1M ($26,099).

Editor’s note: We test rode last year’s YZF-R1M during the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M Review MC Commute. Peruse the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 And YZF-R1M First Look article for added technical details on this model. Also read the 2018 Yamaha YZF-R1 MC Commute Review to learn more about the previous version and base-model R1.

It’s no secret Yamaha went in a racy direction with its current YZF-R1. The seat is tall, the clip-on-style bars low, and the rider’s rearsets are tucked up high. But with the addition of the R1M’s Öhlins semi-active suspension it becomes a surprisingly versatile literbike. With a few swipes of a button, the R1 goes from mild (pleasingly cushy for a sportbike) to wild (firm damping with loads of feel). However, it does have a cost, tacking on another $8,700.

For that extra cash you also get full carbon fiber bodywork (including tailsection) and Yamaha’s GPS-powered telemetry system that sits atop the passenger tail cowl. Yamaha also includes a traditional passenger seat. Because the telemetry system is 6 years old, the user interface is a tad clunky when used on an iOS-enabled smartphone (the Y-TRAC and YRC Setting apps are Android compatible too). Another gripe is you have to physically remove the rear cowl (with a T30 Torx head) to access the unit’s Wi-Fi password.

But hold the throttle wide open for a few moments and these gripes fade away and are replaced with a euphoric burst of adrenaline. The R1′s 998cc CP4 inline-four is a thing of mechanical beauty. It delivers huge power, to the tune of 165 hp at the business end of the 200-series Bridgestone Battlax RS11 rubber.

Even better is the engine’s sound, delivering a unique guttural roar that sounds like no other motorcycle made…aside from Valentino Rossi’s YZR-M1 MotoGP prototype. An electric up-and-down quickshifter makes for immediate gear exchanges between each of the six transmission cogs.

A tour de force in the electronics department, this YZF comes with all the bells and whistles. But our favorite feature is the enhanced throttle response courtesy of Yamaha’s tweaked ride-by-wire throttle. This boosts the usability of Power Mode 1 (the highest power setting), even in a casual street setting as compared to the original R1M.

Adjustable engine-brake control is another pleasing upgrade. However the electronics perform so well that the added momentum in EBM 2 or 3 during corner entry can tax the stopping capability of the triple-disc hydraulic brakes at an elevated track pace. This creates dreaded front brake fade. Thankfully this condition can be mitigated by selecting the standard engine-brake setting (EBM 1).

Aside from the occasionally fade-prone front brakes, clunky telemetry UI, and the now-too-small iPhone 5-sized color dash display (it was awesome in 2015!) there’s still a lot to love about the ’21 YZF-R1M. It accelerates like a bat out of hell with a polished character and charisma typical of European superbikes. And with the addition of the R1M’s fantastic Öhlins semi-active suspension, the R1 becomes a more friendly streetbike versus the base model.

Helmet: Shoei RF-SR

Jacket: Alpinestars Oscar Charlie

Gloves: Alpinestars T-SP W Drystar

Pant: Alpinestars Copper V2

Boot: Alpinestars CR-X Drystar