This Is The Most Expensive Yamaha Sports Bike On The Market

In a world with a sea of options in almost every segment, it is pretty easy to forget what was making headlines around a decade ago. A decade ago, Yamaha was making headlines, not with their latest adventure bike, or parallel-twin engine, but with a certain blue racing bike and a certain Italian rider at the highest level of motorcycle racing. MotoGP has long since represented the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and success there doesn’t come cheap.

But what it brings in the form of technological innovation and brand awareness is worth the price of entry. With Valentino Rossi and the venerable YZR-M1, Team Blue had it all, and as consumers, we had access to some of the trickle-down technology in the form of the YZF-R1. As time passed, Yamaha knew it could do more, so the factory eventually went all in to birth a track-special version of its flagship superbike. That’s the most expensive motorcycle by the company in 2024.

Most Expensive Yamaha Sports Bike In 2024: Yamaha YZF-R1M

MSRP: $27,399

Back when this bike was first launched in 2015, it really was the cream of the crop, especially among the big four Japanese manufacturers. Along with the base model R1 (which is anything but a base model), it received the lion’s share of the development budget. Post that came a minor overhaul in 2020, and since then, not much has changed other than the colors. Much has changed in the world of motorcycling, however. Adventure bikes of all shapes and sizes are in and sports bikes are not quite out, but Europeans are leading the charge today in the segment.

In the years since it was first released, every single manufacturer has also released a “race spec” model of their own. Even at this lofty end of the market, it is highly competitive, and in some respects, the Yamaha has been overtaken. Saying yes to the R1M means saying no to a pair of particularly attractive Italians in the form of the Aprilia RSV4 Factory and the Ducati Panigale V4 S. They both offer superior chassis’, and in the right hands, will outrun the R1M on track as well as in a straight line. Honda also offers a special edition of the Fireblade that has too many Rs, and BMW has the S 1000 RR that you can spec to a similar level and price point.

Rivals

Quality Components Are A Plenty

Suspension: Fully Adjustable Electronic Ohlins

The YZF-R1M may be pricey, but there’s still plenty to like here. The Deltabox chassis is a proven platform and the addition of the Öhlins electronic racing suspension takes the bike to a whole different level. It adjusts to any road surface, making minor adjustments on the fly. You could say it is this suspension that you are paying for over the non-M R1, and that’s money well spent when you consider how life-saving it can be. But in truth, if you are not going to take this bike to the track, then you actually don’t need it. Rather go out and buy the standard R1. The R1 gets the same inline-4 engine, largely the same electronics, and similar mechanicals all around.

But, if you want to get the most out of its glorious powertrain out on track, then the R1M is the right bike for you. It isn’t much of a sleeper either, as it has a pretty distinctive design and won’t easily be mistaken for an R1. Thanks to lack of updates, the R1M is also one of the wing-free bikes in the liter-class segment, with no protruding elements that many of us somewhat dislike. The brand has chosen to just add lightness with (rather tasteful) carbon-fiber bodywork, keeping with the racing theme of the model.

Performance Specifications

A Few Key Features Help Keep The R1M Competitive

Engine: 998cc with Crossplane Crankshaft

As we said in the beginning, the YZF-R1M brings a knife to a gunfight compared to its European rivals. But there are some notable elements here. The most unique aspect of any R1 is the crossplane crankshaft. It is obviously old news, but nobody else offers this engine configuration, and it is something that gives the bike “character.” Not something usually associated with pure-bred inline-four Japanese bikes. Something that is associated with Japanese bikes is reliability, and over the R1’s life, this engine has proven to be virtually bulletproof.

The other party trick is what Yamaha calls “Factory Level” data logging. You will be able to track and download all the telemetry thanks to the onboard Communication Control Unit. It is one thing to buy an expensive track bike, but it is another thing entirely to be able to review your laps and see where you can actually make improvements. Aside from this, Yamaha also offers the usual array of electronic aids that have become commonplace today, including a six-axis IMU, and lean-sensitive traction control.

Yamaha YZF-R1M Key Features

• Crossplane crankshaft
• GPS data logging
• Electronic Racing Suspension
• Carbon-fiber bodywork
• 6-axis IMU
• Lean-sensitive traction control
• Launch control
• Up and down quickshifter
• 17-inch magnesium wheels
• Full color TFT dash