A second window of opportunity has opened for those who didn't manage to secure an R1M last March when the track-ready superbike sold out in a matter of weeks. Yamaha has now announced a second production run, alongside a 60th anniversary limited edition of the base model.
Yamahaunveiled its latest generation YZF-R1 last November in two versions. The R1Mwas essentially a race-oriented upgrade of the basic model, featuring a carbonfiber costume, electronic Ohlins suspension and a datalogging system thatcomplemented the impressive electronic package of the R1. It was scheduled fora limited production of a few hundred, with pre-designated quantities for eachcountry and an online ordering protocol. With a price tag of $22,000 in the USand a range of €22,000 to €25,000 in Europe, by March 31 it was already soldout.
Now Yamahahas announced that a second production run of R1Ms is about to start and the customerapplications' system will go online on October 1. So far there are no details as to the number ofmotorcycles to be produced or the allocation of bikes by country.
Along withthe new R1M production, the Yamaha Racing Experience program is set to continue.Designed exclusively for the customers of the R1M, a series of track days atsome of the world's best race tracks aim to employ the expertise of renownedriders like Colin Edwards in order to help the R1M owners get the best out oftheir motorcycles.
As for thebasic YZF-R1, although the motorcycle is not expected to change at all for2016, Yamaha unveiled a 60th Anniversary special model which will alsobe offered in an undefined limited quantity.
The specialR1 features the trademark yellow "speedblock" color scheme and is equipped withan Akrapovic slip-on exhaust can. The legendary yellow livery – fashioned afterKenny Roberts Sr. and Yamaha USA's racing motorcycles from the late 1970s – wasofficially revealed during the Bol d' Or World Endurance race on September 18and will be available from Yamaha dealers in December.
See the 60th Anniversary R1 in action in the following video just released by Yamaha.
Source:Yamaha R1M, YZF-R1