New Yamaha YZF-R1 spied testing in Australia

MCN Australia has spotted in testing a prototype version of the new YZF-R1 at a race track in the country. The report says two motorcycles were going round the track and that one of them was the BMW S1000RRR, leading us to believe that the Japanese automaker was doing a comparison test between both bikes. The test mule was disguised under the 2008 R8’s body panels.

The test bike sported a large exhaust collector box mounted below and behind the engine which clearly indicates it to be a 1000cc motorcycle.it must be noted that R6 doesn’t have such a big exhaust collector box. Also the side mounted exhaust resembles the one in the R6 which has been inspired from the M1 and it is likely that Yamaha might be considering some of the design cues from the M1 for the new R1.

The new Yamaha R1 will be powered by a three-cylinder engine and is expected to produce more power than the current model. The Indian market will get this motorcycle once the global launch happends and won’t be priced like the current R1, thanks to the Indian government’s decision to increase the custom duty on imported motorcycles above 800cc from 60 per cent to 75 per cent.