Apologies as this post is a bit later than usual, but I had the pleasure of attending the US press launch for the Yamaha R9 earlier this week at Sonoma Raceway. I can’t share anything until next week due to an embargo but as I write up my story I ask myself the eternal question – what do Bike-urious readers want to know about it? So let me know in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them in the upcoming review!
The R9 in Matte Raven Black
The world of “Supersport” motorcycles has changed dramatically in response to consumer actions – I grew up with that word meaning “600cc inline-4s,” bikes like the Yamaha R6, Honda CBR600, Suzuki GSX-R600, and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (or the RR in 2002+ because the single R was the cheater displacement 636). They are very fun bikes that are amazing on the track but they kept surging in price as the OEMs added fancy features to compete with each other and at the end of the day…no one’s really buying them anymore. So there will be people who complain that the upcoming R9 won’t be as exciting as a R6 on the track and they’ll probably be right but those people weren’t buying new R6s so it’s all a moot point.
The R9 in Intensity White/Redline
This isn’t just a Yamaha problem: it’s industry wide. So “Supersport” has evolved with both FIM and MotoAmerica, which is why the entries we currently see in WSSP include the Ducati Panigale V2, Triumph Street Triple RS 765, MV Agusta F3 800 RR, a Kawasaki ZX-6R 636, and even a lonely Honda CBR600RR. Plus of course, the R9 – which won the first race of the season!
Stefano Manzi on the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing YZF-R9.
So even though it’s designed to be a street bike first, it clearly still has some racing chops. Presumably, that’s why Yamaha took me to Sonoma Raceway to put a bunch of laps on it. Here’s some quick basics:
Price: $12,499
Horsepower: 117 hp
Torque: 68 lb-ft (40% more than a R6 and it’s earlier in the revband!)
Weight: 430 pounds wet
Colors: Team Yamaha Blue, Matte Raven Black, Intensity White/Redline
In the meantime, you can check out Yamaha’s page about this bike. That’s all I’ve got for now – let me know what questions you have and I’ll try my best to answer them. Thanks!