I jump on board the updated 2020 Yamaha YZR-R1 and give a road riders opinion of how the bike stacks up, including compared to the MT-10, looking at that famous cross-plane in-line four-cylinder, suspension, electronics, brakes and handling, with the R1’s race pedigree showing through.
There’s no doubt the YZF-R1 is a track machine, which we’re lucky enough to be able to register for the road, with staggering amounts of power, high spec brakes and suspension and an electronics package that allows a wide array of riders to enjoy this machine, in relative safety and with relative ease.
Despite an aggressive sportsbike ergonomic the 2020 YZF-R1 is surprisingly easy to handle on the road, with power modes allowing for a more gentle power delivery, while telepathic handling and an impressive front brake and suspension setup make for a relatively forgiving overall package.
It’s easy to push the R1, and it’s certainly ready to take a bite out of you if you go too far, but this is a machine which also makes it easy to correct your mistakes and push through.
I’d settle for the slightly more restrained and road orientated MT-10 personally at the end of the day, but there’s no denying the incredible package that Yamaha are offering in the latest R1.
