Buying a used Yamaha YZF-R1 (2015 to 2019)

With several generations under its belt and increasingly tough competition in the sportsbike world – particularly from the European marques – the 2015 ‘relaunch’ of Yamaha’s performance flagship, the Yamaha YZF-R1, had a lot riding on its wheels. And it delivered, with stunning performance and race-bred looks.

Yamaha YZF-R1 history

From the launch of the series in 1998, Yamaha’s R1 has been in amongst the leading pack of sports motorcycles, often at the pointy end when you take value for money into consideration. The marque’s persistence with the R1 brand means that good first-edition bikes are now in demand as potential classics.

Of course, we’ve seen lots of updates over 25 years, including major shifts of generation in 2004, 2009, 2015 and 2020. In that time horsepower has climbed from 150 (110kW) to 197 (147kW), though the essence of a one-litre inline-four sportsbike has remained.

The major upgrade in 2015 was arguably the most significant after the first generation, pushing the model even further into dedicated sportsbike territory, a move flagged by its aggressive MotoGP-influenced styling. It’s this 2015 to 2019 generation that we’re focusing on here.

Updates and variants

Aluminium Deltabox frame, KYB suspension, injected screaming inline-four with EXUP exhaust… is this sounding familiar? It should, as Yamaha didn’t venture too far from familiar waters when developing this critical generation of the R1.

It did, however, throw a huge depth of knowledge and development at this generation, coming up with a recipe claiming 198hp (147kW) at a heady 13,500rpm, and 112Nm of torque at 11,500rpm, in a package claiming to weigh 199kg wet.

We saw a unified (linked) braking system come into play with this generation, along with an updated ABS. The latter was now part of a much more sophisticated electronic suite including a six-axis IMU, traction control, launch control, lift control and slide control.

Updates across the 2015-19 series, beyond the paint schemes, were subtle.

There were some detailed updates in the bottom end in 2017, plus a retune to reflect incoming and tougher European emission standards. That required a new map for the ECU, which means 2015 tuning software is unlikely to be compatible with the later model.

In 2017, we also saw an updated quickshifter and updated wheelie control.

A new generation was launched in 2019 for the 2020 model year.

When it comes to variants, the big news was the YZF-R1M, which was the no-holds-barred upmarket model, priced at a $6500 price premium ($29,999 in 2015) over the stock R1 ($23,499). For that you scored Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS).

The proverbial icing on the cake was the addition of a communication control unit that allowed you to ‘talk’ between the ECU and your mobile device to alter various motorcycle settings. As our tester put it, you can literally sit in your lounge room and set up the motorcycle.

In the saddle

On first encounter, you could have been forgiven for thinking someone had forgotten to include headlights on this bike. Sure enough they were there, but minimised in a way that emphasised the whole track-focused demeanor of the new-gen machine.

Look for details and you’d discover things such as the engine was narrower and 4kg lighter than its predecessor, and widely regarded as a far more sophisticated successor to the first ‘big bang’ or crossplane engine.

It was nevertheless a screamer of the first order and demanded your full attention when you cut it loose.

The six-speed transmission was slick, while the clutch could be a little grabby until warmed up – then it was fine.

Braking was exactly what you’d expect, light on lever, good feel and plenty of power.

Meanwhile the four main riding modes had significant differences between them, allowing a quick reset to suit your riding mood.

Overall the ride position was tall in the seat and head down, emphasising the whole sporty flavour.

As a package, you could ride it on the street without a problem, but really a deserted sports road or racetrack is where it belonged.

If the stocker impressed, the M was to die for. Former FIM Endurance World Champion Steve Martin attended the 2015 launch and commented: “As soon as I tipped in to turn two I knew I wanted the M. The bike's Öhlins suspension is just racetrack ready. I definitely had a lot more bump-absorption especially when my knees were on the ground, and a lot more turn as well. I was a lot quicker than I had been in the morning with the standard machine. I didn’t touch the suspension and just dialed my preferred electronic settings onto the machine.” High praise.

In the workshop

Some early versions (2015) of this series underwent a recall in some markets for potential transmission failure under exceptionally hard use. The issue was caused by assembly rather than design and not all examples were involved. However, local examples, if any were affected, were not hit with a recall.

You may also trip over a question mark regarding crankshafts on 2015 bikes. Failure was extremely rare and was caused by lateral float in the assembly, allowing counterweights on the crankshaft and counter-balancer to touch. A thrust washer was included in the 2016 bikes to deal with the issue.

From 2017 the crankcase and crank ran different part numbers.

Some early M-models were recalled in Australia for a flaw in the Öhlins rear shock, again through an assembly fault.

Servicing is much the same as for any modern inline four-cylinder performance motorcycle. Valve adjustment intervals is generous at 40,000km and is by shim.

Our tame tuner (Carl Batey at Café Racer in NSW) warns that any performance modification – such as more open exhausts – must be accompanied by a proper remap for the ECU, otherwise you risk longer-term damage.

Overall, a properly maintained bike should be robust and ultra-reliable – particularly if it’s seen street rather than competition use.

In the market

Though we’ve indicated some teething troubles in some very early bikes, we’d

be pretty confident about tackling a well-cared-for 2015 model.

There is a good supply of used machines out there, across all years, with M variants commanding as much as a 50 per cent premium. Long-term an M will more easily get collector interest, but that could be some way off.

In the meantime, buy the best one you can afford.

Checklist

Mileage is far less an issue with these bikes than proper servicing. A complete workshop record is gold and make sure you pay close attention to the condition of the machine. Its presentation should reflect what the paperwork is saying.

Given its high performance and sophistication, you want to pay particular attention to the chassis, including the sensors, looking for leaks, damage and signs of neglect.

Run the on-screen modes through their paces, or get the owner to do it, as you want to be sure the electronics are present and correct.

Find your own Yamaha YZF-R1 here on bikesales.

For

Against

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, forward-inclined 16-valve four-cylinder
Capacity: 998cc
Compression ratio ratio: 13.0: 1
Bore x stroke: 79.0mm x 50.9mm
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 200ps (147.1kW) at 13,500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 112.4Nm at 11,500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Aluminium Deltabox
Front suspension: KYB upside-down 43mm telescopic forks, fully adjustable (Öhlins ERS), 120mm travel
Rear suspension: KYB monoshock, fully adjustable (Öhlins ERS), 120mm travel
Front brakes: 320mm discs with radial four-piston calipers
Rear brake: 220mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Wheels: Cast magnesium – front 3.5 x 17, rear 6.0 x 17
Tyres: Front 120/70-17, rear 200/55-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 24 degrees
Trail: 102mm
Claimed kerb weight: 199kg
Seat height: 860mm
Wheelbase: 1405mm
Fuel capacity: 17L

OTHER STUFF
Price: $23,499 ($29,999)
Colours: Rapid Red, Pearl White, Raven Black, Yamaha Team Blue, Matte Silver (Carbon Liquid Metal)
Test bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres