Yamaha announces race-derived R1 GYTR for track use only

Yamaha has unveiled its new R1 sports bike, with full track-orientation and no road homologation. 

A new Yamaha R1 has been rumoured for a while, but a track special that is ineligible for the road was not necessarily what was expected. There is still EICMA, of course, where something new from Iwata might yet still be revealed.

But, what about this track special? Well, it is developed by Genuine Yamaha Technologies Racing (GYTR), who build the track bikes for racers to practice on. They also sponsor the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK team, and the Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) in the Endurance World Championship (EWC). 

This bike is aimed at the first of those three, but makes it available in a more accessible way.

Many motorcycle racers - even those not associated with Yamaha, or even those associated with other factories - have found that the R1 is one of the best bikes to practice with. Pedro Acosta, Sam Lowes, Miguel Oliveira and many others have used R1s to train with, and generally those track bikes will feature components from GYTR. 

The idea with what is being called the R1 GYTR is to make that offering more accessible. Yamaha see the potential they have with the R1, and so are looking to make the most of it. It also comes after Aprilia launched in Misano their RSV4 XTrenta track bike, and other manufacturers have their own versions, too. 

With the R1 GYTR, you get: 

• Akrapovic Race muffler and mid-pipe system
• AIS plug set
• Engine cover set
• GYTR ECU
• Wiring harness
• PC interface cable
• GYTR ABS Emulator
• GYTR On/Off Switch
• 15/42T 520 sprockets
• GYTR R-Series 520 racing chain
• BS R11 tires
• GYTR Racing Fuel Cap
• GYTR Stainless Steel Brake Line Set
• Callipers with GYTR steel piston kit
• Brembo Z04 brake pads
• Race handlebars
• Steering stoppers
• Shark Fin Rear Sprocket Guard
• Billet Front Brake Lever Guard
• Race Rear Set with reverse shifting option
• Rear stand hooks
• R-Series Racing Rear Stand
• Complete Race Cowling Kit in primer white
• Racing screen
• GYTR Race seat

The R1 GYTR can only be bought from GYTR Pro Shops, of which 17 exist in Europe. GYTR will also help with personalised settings for each customer, and give tips for racing and track days.

As well as the R1 GYTR, Yamaha has announced that it will be launching the GYTR Pro range of parts - which consists of more than 400 different components developed by GYTR that are used on the Iwata brands WorldSBK machines, including the factory Pata Yamaha squad with which Toprak Razgatlioglu won the 2021 world title - to the public.

This line of parts was previously launched as GYTR Pro VR46, so that Valentino Rossi could make his R1 track bike as close to WorldSBK spec as possible. Now, it is released “to all Yamaha racers in GYTR Pro Shops,” according to Yamaha. Supplies are limited, though.

Some of the parts in the GYTR Pro range, which includes some pieces from Brembo and Ohlins, are:

GYTR PRO Swingarm

GYTR PRO large capacity and low gravity fuel tank

GTTR PRO Carbon rear subframe

GYTR PRO Triple clamp

GYTR PRO Carbon cowling set

GYTR Pro screen

GYTR PRO Dashboard

GYTR PRO Dash support

GYTR PRO Handlebars

GYTR PRO Handle bar switches

GYTR PRO Marelli electronics (customised)

GYTR PRO Airducts for brake calipers

GYTR PRO Brake lines

GYTR PRO Brembo wheel adaptors (front and rear) to fit in the Öhlins FGR400 front forks and the inverted swingarm

GYTR PRO Clutch

GYTR PRO Side steering damper with bracket and clamp

GYTR PRO MB radiator

GYTR PRO Akrapovic system

GYTR PRO Brake lever protector

The full GYTR Pro parts line-up, and their cost, will be announced by the end of the year, according to Yamaha.

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