- Gets updated electronics package and a slightly tweaked chassis
- Carries a new blue-black livery with Monster Energy branding
- It was the first occasion that a Yamaha MotoGP bike has been launched in Asia
With the 2019 MotoGP season set to begin in March, Yamaha’s factory racing team has revealed the 2019 YZR-M1 MotoGP bike in Jakarta, Indonesia. Yamaha Factory team riders, nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi and his teammate Maverick Vinales were present at the event for the unveiling of the motorcycle. The brand also announced its switch from Movistar to Monster Energy as its main sponsor from 2019 onwards. The factory team will now be officially recognised as Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team.
With the new sponsor, comes new livery and the Yamaha M1 now features a dual-tone blue-black colour scheme. Except for the fuel tank and part of the front fairing which remains blue, the rest of the motorcycle carries a black theme. The panels have the Monster Energy logo in its signature fluorescent green shade. Apart from the new livery, the race bike remains mostly the same with updates to the electronics and few changes to the aluminium twin-tube Deltabox chassis. Both the riders will be seen wearing race suits with the same blue-black colour scheme.
The Yamaha YZR-M1 is powered by a 1000cc, liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder motor with a crossplane crankshaft. The engine is tuned to produce 240bhp of max power which comes mated to a cassette type six-speed gearbox. Other cycles parts include Ohlins upside down forks at the front and an Ohlins monoshock at the back. For braking, the motorcycle is equipped with carbon-ceramic discs paired with Brembo calipers. The chassis is an aluminium twin tube delta box frame with multi-adjustable steering geometry. The M1 weighs just 157 kg, in accordance with FIM regulations.
Pre-season testing on the 2019 YZR-M1 will begin on 6-8 February in Sepang, Malaysia, where both riders will ride their motorcycles for the first time. After a disappointing 2018 season of the team where they managed to win only a single race, one can expect Yamaha to perform better in the upcoming season.
