Writing about bikes for 20 years. Published in dozens of titles on five continents. Mildly obsessed with discovering how things work.
FIM Homologation documents published earlier this year pointed to the launch of a new race-oriented version of Yamaha’s R1 – and now just such a machine has appeared in the form of the 2023 R1 GYTR.
Following in the footsteps of the R6 GYTR that was unveiled a year ago as a track-only model, already fitted with several of the components that racers or serious trackday riders would bolt on anyway, the R1 GYTR has no pretensions at road use. Instead it comes as a blank canvas, whether for world championship level race teams, national competitors, club racers or simply riders who want a circuit superbike without the superfluous road-going kit.
Not homologated for road use, the R1 GYTR comes with blank, race bodywork and more than 25 components from Yamaha’s GYTR range of bolt-on competition parts. There’s a race Akrapovič exhaust, engine covers, a GYTR adjustable ECU and wiring harness with a PC interface cable as well as an ABS emulator to allow the anti-lock brakes to be disconnected. The 998cc four-cylinder drives through a revised chain and sprocket kit and the chassis is updated with Bridgestone R11 tyres, a stainless-steel brake line set, revised brake calipers with GYTR steel pistons and Brembo Z04 pads.
Race-spec bars and lock stops are fitted, along with a GYTR filler cap, a shark-fin chain guard, billet alloy brake lever guard and rear sets with the option to flip the gearshift into a reverse, race pattern. A paddock stand and suitable paddock stand hooks are also standard, while the single-seat bodywork has blanked-off lights, a race screen and comes finished in white primer, ready for custom paint.
Even in that state, the R1 GYTR would be an astounding track bike for most of us, but for race teams or anyone with deep pockets and the desire to get a real WSBK experience, Yamaha will sell a vast range of add-ons from its GYTR PRO range to upgrade the bike even further.
These bits include a WSB-style, inverted swingarm, Öhlins FGR400 forks, a large-capacity fuel tank, a carbon rear subframe, new triple clamps, carbon fairings, a GYTR PRO dash, bars and switches, Marelli electronics, a GYTR PRO radiator and a host of other components. The full range of GYTR PRO parts is due to be revealed by the end of the year, with a full line of 400 components due to be available from April 2023.
While there’s no shortage of track-only superbikes available to customers with deep pockets – most recently the €50,000 Aprilia RSV4 XTrenta revealed at Misano last weekend – but the R1 GYTR, when fitted with enough GYTR PRO components, could be one of the closest to a real WSB championship winner.
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