Overshadowed By The Tightness Of Euro5+ Regulations, Yamaha Announces Only Presenting R1 Version Of 'Track-Only' Starting 2025 In Europe

Yamaha YZF-R1. (Doc. Global Yamaha)

JAKARTA - Yamaha's bold move on high-performance motorcycles. The manufacturer with the forkal logo decided not to refresh the R1 and R1M models in order to meet strict Euro5+ emissions regulations and will only sell them in the track-only' version starting in 2025 in Europe.

"The Yamaha Motor Group has taken the decision not to develop the EU5+ version of R1 or R1M, but rather focus on other medium-term business and product strategies that will provide opportunities in the future," a manufacturer spokesman said as quoted by Motorcyclenews, Monday, February 26.

After the statement came out, the Yamaha Racing racing division also confirmed that global production of R1 will continue in the future followed by development programs in order to compete competitively in world-class events such as World Superbike (WSBK) and the Endurance World Championship (EWC).

Global production R1 will continue in the future, as well as development programs that have ensured this bike secures world titles in WorldSBK and EWC," wrote Yamaha Racing.

The last time the R1 and R1M models received major updates was towards 2020, which adjusted to Euro5 regulations by making slight improvements to the chassis and engine parts as well as changes to style and electronic packages.

The Yamaha R1 is not the first superbike to stop mass sales due to tightening emissions. Earlier in 2022, Suzuki decided to stop sales and production from GSX-R1000 for the European market.

However, superbike lovers seem to be smiling widely with the news that Honda will massively overhaul the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP as a 2024 model.

Reportedly this powerful Honda motor will get a reshuffle including a separate thrust body, revision of the suspension, lighter engkol, and lighter titanium conrod.