Yamaha R1 GYTR 2024 — Specifications

Who would have thought that the most radical of Japanese sportbikes would end up leaving the road for good? Yet that's exactly the direction Yamaha is taking with its R1: 2024 marks the last year this machine can legally ride on public tarmac. From 2025 onward, only a track-only version will survive. The Yamaha R1 GYTR 2024, dubbed the R24, embodies this transition. It draws the line between what the R1 has been for a quarter of a century and what it will become tomorrow. A track machine, designed for the track, sold for the track. The price of this exclusivity? €42,500. It stings, but the spec sheet justifies every cent for anyone who rides seriously on track.

Beneath the raw, unpainted bodywork — ready to receive its owner's colors and sponsors — lies a 998 cc Crossplane inline four-cylinder. The compression ratio climbs to 13:1, bore and stroke are set at 79 x 50.9 mm, and power output far exceeds the standard version's 200 horsepower thanks to a racing camshaft kit and reworked intake funnels. The spec sheet announces 220 horsepower, enough to flirt with 300 km/h on a straight. An Akrapovic silencer unleashes the engine's breath while keeping noise levels within circuit regulations. For those wondering what the Yamaha R1 GYTR's power really amounts to, the answer is written in lap times more than in raw numbers.

The real leap compared to the 2023 Yamaha R1 GYTR lies in the front end. Yamaha chose to integrate a pressurized Öhlins FGR 251 43 mm inverted telehydraulic fork with 120 mm of travel. This Swedish component, typically reserved for WorldSBK paddocks, transforms the feel on corner entry and braking feedback. It also explains the price increase over the previous model year. The carbon front fender, braided steel brake lines, dedicated calipers and pads, factory-fitted Bridgestone R11 tires — everything contributes to a chassis package honed to a scalpel's edge. The drivetrain adopts a 520-pitch racing chain, while the gearbox retains its six speeds. Braking is handled by twin 320 mm front discs with four-piston radial calipers and a 220 mm rear disc. The 17-liter tank provides reasonable range during intensive track sessions.

On the electronics side, Yamaha supplies a dedicated wiring harness and ECU, a Windows interface cable for tuning, and an emulator to disable the ABS. No ignition key — a simple button is all it takes to wake the beast. The rearsets are adjustable in every conceivable position, the clip-ons and steering stops are dedicated, and the seat and screen adopt a racing profile. GB Racing engine covers complete the package. This 2024 Yamaha R1 GYTR leaves the dealership ready to chase lap times, with no need for a trip to a tuner. But be aware, only authorized Yamaha GYTR Pro Shops are permitted to sell it.

Who does this machine make sense for? Certainly not the weekend rider, nor someone looking for a used Yamaha R1 GYTR to tuck away in the garage as a collector's item. The R24 is aimed at competition-committed racers or demanding track riders who want a turnkey Superbike platform. The GYTR department also offers higher levels of preparation for those whose budget and ambition exceed the stock configuration. Against a Ducati Panigale V4 R or a BMW M 1000 RR, the Yamaha plays the card of raw mechanical efficiency and an engine with a unique character thanks to its Crossplane crankshaft. The question of the future remains: what will the price of the 2025 Yamaha R1 GYTR be, and above all, what will be left of this lineage once emissions regulations have definitively shut the door to the road? The R24 may well be the last to carry this name with such panache.