This Track-Only Yamaha R1 Is The Closest You Can Get To Owning A WSBK-spec Bike

An automotive icon has turned 25 years old and a special edition model has been unveiled to mark the occasion. The icon in question is the Yamaha R1 and the model is the R1 GYTR Pro 25th Anniversary Limited Edition. 

Yamaha says that the 25th anniversary R1 model has been built as the ultimate track weapon with only 25 units to be developed. The motorcycles will be available through Yamaha's GYTR Pro shops across Europe. 

The special changes in the limited edition model include a range of Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR) Pro parts developed by the engineers who developed the WorldSBK championship R1 motorcycle. These include a carbon fibre subframe, a modified fuel tank and a Magneti Marelli ECU. Yamaha says this setup has been designed to provide a low centre of gravity to the motorcycle. 

It also gets an Ohlins FGR front fork and TTX monoshock with pneumatic preload adjuster. The swingarm comes directly from Yamaha’s WorldSBk racing program and gets top-shelf Brembo braking hardware both at the front and rear along with all-round carbon fibre bodywork. The engine in the 25th anniversary model is the same 998cc, liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder engine found in the R1 GYTR. The motorcycle also gets an exclusive red, white and black livery, a nod to the red and white livery on the first generation Yamaha R1 launched in 1998.

The special parts package of the limited edition motorcycle also includes a GYTR PRO Electronic System (GPES) module, that features rider aids such as anti-wheelie, launch control, engine braking management, adjustable fuelling and traction control. This module is the one developed by Yamaha Motor Research & Development Europe (YMRE) for its WorldSBK and FIM Endurance World Championship bikes.  

The R1 GYTR Pro 25th Anniversary Limited Edition will be assembled and prepared to every customers’ exact requirements in one of the 25 Yamaha GYTR Pro shops in Europe. Yamaha says it will also organise a track day event for all the owners where they will go through the processes undergone by professional riders from its racing programs to tune the motorcycle to match each customers’ riding style.