Page 46 - LHR Motorcycle Magazine May 2024

It’s a sad day for riders of a sporty disposition; the
Japanese factory has confirmed it won’t be updating
its R1 and R1M superbikes.
First launched in 1998, the R1’s had some serious
success over the years – and holds a special place in
the hearts and minds of riders far and wide. It’s had
various changes over the years, but was last updated
in 2020, when it was tweaked to become Euro 5
compliant. And yet, despite being a little long in the
tooth compared to some of the competition, it’s still a
winner.
And that’s probably why Yamaha’s decided the R1’s
going to follow in the footsteps of the dearly departed
R6 – and from 2025 will be available exclusively for
use on track. No news as yet whether it’ll be the base
model R1 or the fully-loaded, more expensive R1M.
There’s also been no official word about whether or
not Yamaha will continue to shift its existing road-
ready models.
Technically they’re allowed to, under rules which
allow them to register a limited number of non-
conforming models. It’ll be very interesting to see
what comes out of Yamaha. While superbike sales
aren’t massive, they are an important part of the
market. We can’t see them not replacing the R1 in
some way or other. Remember, the R6 was replaced
by the R7, which was built from the bones of the MT-
07. Could we see a new R9, built around the
successful MT-09 format?
It’s looking increasingly likely… we’ve heard whispers
for months, and there’s also been talk that an R9
prototype has been spinning laps at Misano. Will it be
for the road?
We don’t know. But with the R1 being slowly phased
out, we shouldn’t have to wait too much longer for
the lowdown.

Chinese firm CFMoto seems has a new sharp-looking
to be going from strength to single-sided swingarm. CFMoto
CFMoto is after a piece of the supersport strength. It’s been doing good has also confirmed that the front
pie, revealing a host of performancefocused business in the UK for years, forks have been upgraded,
upgrades for its 450SR. but since it’s properly joined though they appear to be the
forces with the Pierer Group same damping adjustable 37mm
(who own KTM, Husqvarna and upside-down numbers as the
GasGas), things have certainly base-model 450SR. The rear
seemed to ramp up. The latest shock looks the same, too.
bike to be added to its ever- There is a larger 240mm rear
expanding range is the 450SR S, disc for more stopping power,
which builds on the solid base of but the front retains its Brembo
the standard 450SR and adds a stopper and 320mm single disc
host of trick bits to help make it set up. All that combines to make
look better and go faster. Sounds it very slightly lighter, too, down
like a winner, right? 4kg to 175kg. It might not sound
The 450SR S appears to be like much, but every gram helps
largely the same as the standard when you’re chasing performance
450SR. There’s the same tubular (and the competition)
steel frame and the same 449.5cc Priced at £6499, it’s no budget
270-degree parallel twin-cylinder option – and despite a solid track
motor, which kicks out the same record and an ever-growing
(A2 licence legal) 46bhp. And dealer network, CFMoto is going
there’s 29lb-ft of torque to play to have to work hard to convince
with, too. But the differences are potential punters to go for the S.
also pretty impressive. There’s Particularly when you consider
some pretty striking aerodynamic that you could get a new Aprilia
wings up front; traction control RS 457, Honda CBR500R or
and ABS as standard; a slipper Kawasaki Ninja 500 for similar
clutch; a five-inch TFT money.
display;and a USB charging port. Only time will tell.
Back to the chassis, and the S