Official: Yamaha update R1 and R1M for 2018 | EICMA 2017
By Michael Mann
BikeSocial Managing Editor. Content man - reviewer, road tester, video presenter, interviewer, commissioner, organiser. First ride was a 1979 Honda ST70 in the back garden aged 6. Not too shabby on track, loves a sportsbike, worries about helmet hair, occasionally plays golf and squash but enjoys being a father to a 7-year old the most.
10.11.2017
Yamaha’s top spec road-going sports bikes both get upgraded for 2018 with the awesome R1 and R1M taking the challenge to the new pretenders of Ducati’s recently unveiled Panigale V4 range and the 2018 Kawasaki ZX10-R SE, all uncovered this week over in Milan at the annual EICMA show.
Massively capable already with its ability on both road and track thanks in part to Yamaha’s growly 998cc, 197bhp, 4-cylinder crossplane motor, it’s the vastly advanced electronics that are the focus of the updates three years after making its debut.
2018 YZF-R1M
Revised Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS)
The Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS) adapts automatically by analysing data from the bike's 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and making the necessary adjustments to the fork and shock settings.
The 2018 YZF-R1M will be equipped with Öhlins’ latest and most sophisticated ERS, the Smart EC 2. The ERS prevents fork dive and minimises squat - and by using the YRC, the behaviour and characteristics of the ERS during braking, acceleration and cornering can be set up separately and individually.
Simplified settings: instead of setting compression and rebound as previously, now the rider can choose to select front and rear 'firmness' and the suspension will adjust accordingly.
Updated Quick Shift System (QSS)
You’re not anyone if you don’t have a quickshifter these days so Yamaha equipped the R1M with an even more sophisticated system which now also features a downshifting system.
The settings can be personalised with a choice two upshift settings: mode 1 being the fastest for performance riding, and mode 2 being smoother - and both the upshift and downshift functions can be turned on or off as required.
New ECU mapping and improved LIF
The revised ECU map essentially enables the use of the new downshift mode on the Quickshift System while LIF (Life Control System) has also been upgraded to monitor and regulates the power output when the IMU detects a sudden or strong elevation of the front wheel. It means that the rider can accelerate harder than normal knowing the front won’t lift too far and will also make an elegant controlled ‘landing’.
Lightweight carbon fairing with new finish
More carbon is on show with the revised Silver Blue Carbon graphics.
Availability
The 2018 YZF-R1M will be available in limited quantities via an online ordering system. Applications from interested riders and teams will be accepted from 10am on 27th November, the day after Motorcycle Live closes, via r1m.yamahamotor.eu and all customers will receive an invitation to the exclusive YRE (Yamaha Racing Experience).
2018 YZF-R1
For next year, the Yamaha YZF-R1 will feature electronic upgrades with the same new Quick Shift System (QSS) as the YZF-R1M so the seamless shift downshift will be an advanced feature. There are also updated colours with the bike being available in Race Blu or Tech Black.
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