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2015 Yamaha R1 Superbike | FIRST LOOK

Photos from Inside Yamaha USA Show Racer Development

December 5, 2014

We were allowed inside Yamaha USA 's race shop today, and caught a peek at Yamaha's work on the all-new 2015 R1 Superbike project. One bike was stripped down to a rolling chassis, allowing a full view of the frame and swingarm. The race chassis was being fitted with bodywork for the first time, and a prototype fuel tank shell was in place for fitment. After five AMA Superbike championships in a row, Yamaha's aim was summed up quickly by a senior Yamaha Racing employee; "We expect to win." Check out the gallery above for more info.

Can't get enough R1? Check out our On Two Wheels episode of Zack Courts riding Josh Hayes ' 2012 Championship-winning R1:

For the full feature on Josh Hayes and his Graves Yamaha YZF-R1, see THOR'S HAMMER here...

This set of photos shows a sneak peek at Yamaha's 2015 R1 in the dressing room, changing into race clothes for superbike competition.

A prototype shell of the fuel tank has been installed for fitment purposes. When the shape is determined, an aluminum fuel tank will be constructed. Note the rudimentary braces and tape holding the bodywork in place. Nintendo-like buttons on the left clip-on are standard issue for race bikes.

Magnesium race wheels from OZ are lighter still than the stock magnesium rims. The carbon fiber fender is stock on the up-spec R1M, which Yamaha plans to run on the factory superbike.

A closer look at a stock item: the rotor inside the rear brake disc is essentially a heat sink, to capture heat from the aluminum and steel rear brake system before it tries to merge with the magnesium wheel, which expands at a different rate. The race bike won't need it, because its wheels use magnesium carriers for the brake and the cush drive.

An R1 cylinder head, stripped. It is beautifully machined and amazingly light.

A closer look at the front of the R1's ram-air system, which runs through a hole in the front of the frame, visible on this stripped rolling chassis with no engine or bodywork.

A closer look at the rear of the R1's ram-air system, which runs through a massive hole in the front of the frame, seen here in a rolling chassis with no engine.