Yamaha YZF-R1SP 2010 — Specifications

Do you remember that thrill in 2009, when YART clinched the world endurance title? Yamaha hasn't forgotten. And rather than settling for a simple sticker, the brand with three tuning forks unleashed its heavy artillery with this R1 SP-R. Only ten examples are offered, each sporting the blue and white livery of the victorious team. But here, the replica is more than just a paint job; it's a genuine statement of intent, a direct bridge thrown between the showroom and the pit lane.

Under the seductive fairing, the engine remains the famous crossplane base. Its inline four-cylinder 998 cc engine delivers a solid power of 182 horsepower, with that characteristic torque and that hoarse howl that made it famous. The real change is what has been grafted onto it. The Öhlins fork and shock are not mere cosmetic options; they are competition parts, ready to face the rigors of a circuit. Paired with the Deltabox aluminum frame, they transform an already precise hypersportive into a tool of formidable sharpness. Add to that an Akrapovic exhaust and a protection kit, and the proposition becomes clear: this motorcycle was born for the track.

Obviously, such pedigree comes at a cost, and it’s priced at 18,499 euros. That’s a significant budget, especially when you know that an Aprilia RSV4 Factory, also equipped with Öhlins and boasting an enchanting V4, flirts with the same price. Yamaha is therefore playing on rarity and emotion. For this price, you are not just buying a motorcycle; you are acquiring a fragment of history, a rolling collector's item. The standard SP version, 3,000 euros less but without the Swedish suspensions, almost seems like a reasonable option.

So, who is this beast for? Certainly not for the novice. With its 205 kg fully fueled, its 835 mm seat height, and its sharp character, it demands an experienced hand. It targets the demanding collector, the seasoned track rider who wants a track day machine with a unique look, or the absolute fan of YART. It is a motorcycle that evokes pure desire, a concentrate of racing technology offered in a very limited series. It will make no compromises, and neither will its owner.