2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 and R1M break cover

Yamaha has taken the wraps off the 2020 YZF-R1 and R1M at the Laguna Seca round of the World Superbike Championship. Updated version gets electronic, suspension and aerodynamic updates

These last few weeks have been quite exciting for litre-class motorcycling enthusiasts. BMW brought in the new S1000RR, Ducati unveiled a special edition Panigale V4, and now Yamaha has joined the party with the updated R1 and R1M. The Japanese bike maker took the wraps off the 2020 R1 and R1M at the Laguna Seca round of the World Superbike Championship.

This 2020 iteration of the R1 gets improved aerodynamics thanks to a redesigned front fairing. Yamaha has improved the rigidity of the front fairing by plonking an aluminum air duct at the front, and adding a titanium lower panel to the exhaust. The Japanese bike maker claims that the aerodynamic efficiency has been bettered on this 2020 model by 5.3 percent. The motorcycle now also gets a larger windscreen and a new LED headlight. Other changes include an aluminum fuel tank and wheels.

As far as the engine goes, the 2020 R1 gets the same 998cc in-line four-cylinder motor that develops 194.2bhp. While the output remains unchanged from the previous model, the motorcycle does get a new intake system and Bosch-sourced injectors. It has a 10-hole design for better combustion of fuel and thereby better performance. Other changes to the engine include a new finger follower rocker arm and cam lobes. A lighter ride-by-wire system ensures an improvement in the top-end performance too.

Suspension duties are taken care of by 43mm Kayaba upside down forks up front that now comes with a revised steering damper, and the rear monoshock has been readjusted too. As far as electronics are concerned, the R1 comes with a six axis IMU with as many as seven ECUs, cornering ABS, launch control, improved instrument cluster and more.

The 2020 Yamaha R1 will go on sale in the UK market in September, but there is no official news of when the bike will make its way to India as yet.