Yamaha has built quite a reputation among Japanese motorcycle manufacturers for offering something in every segment of bikes, from small city scooters to hyper-performance motorcycles. They have it all. Among seasoned rider circles, one Yamaha bike continually comes up as the most difficult to ride -- the R1M.
Interestingly, this hyper-performance bike is quite the fan favorite, and appreciated among motorcycle enthusiasts for its distinctive design, cutting edge technology, and high performance.
It also tops the list of the fastest Yamaha motorcycles.
Here's the truth. The Yamaha R1M gets a lot of love from seasoned riders, and it's mostly due to its aggressive power delivery and rider aids. Beginner riders will experience a steep learning curve due to its challenging riding position and high responsiveness.
Riders agree that the Yamaha R1M, while iconic, has aggressive power, a forward-leaning position, and a high center of gravity that might present serious challenges to newbies. As one seasoned rider put it on a Reddit thread, the R1M doesn't come with any modes to tame it down to beginner levels.
Read more: 6 Of The Fastest Cruiser Motorcycles, Ranked By Top Speed
Why The Yamaha R1M Might Be Challenging For Beginners
Not many dealerships will turn you away for buying a high-performance motorcycle like a Yamaha R1M -- especially if you have deep pockets or enough credit, as not many salespeople are going to walk away from a high-value motorcycle commission. However, the truth is -- you'll need to start small before you can handle any of the top 1,000cc sportbikes.
The Yamaha R1M features a 998cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, four-cylinder DOHC engine putting out 200 hp at 13,500 rpm, and 83.6 lb-ft of torque at 11,500 rpm. These kinds of power levels aren't for beginners, the Yamaha R1M is designed for speed and performance, meaning its hefty inline four engine can deliver a lot of power instantly, which can be a little overwhelming to riders less accustomed to race bike levels of power.
Unlike many beginner bikes, the Yamaha R1M features a forward-leaning riding position, which can be a little tiring and uncomfortable, even for seasoned riders, and especially while cruising at slower speeds or hitting high RPMs on extended rides. Add to that a high center of gravity, and the R1M can feel less stable on tight maneuvers. According to Yamaha, while developing the R1M, the engineers used feedback from seasoned racers, and data from some of the world's most challenging circuits.
Who Can Actually Handle The Yamaha R1M?
In its bare form, the Yamaha R1M might seem like any other bike. However, Yamaha says, "This is the most advanced production motorcycle for riders who are the very top of their game." Additionally, since it's essentially a race-ready motorcycle, it's not designed to run errands in the city or grocery runs on the weekends. Riders say that it's best suited for closed circuits, where owners can experience the thrill of hitting the limits.
The 2025 Yamaha R1M comes packed with performance features like electronic racing suspension, carbon bodywork, advanced braking, and riding aids, all of which require some level of experience and skill. If you are looking to get into R1M-level riding, starting with 200cc to 400cc bikes, which are some of the best bikes for new riders, and then working your way up would be your best choice.
Experienced riders on Reddit share this sentiment. They also recommend starting with a bike smaller than 600cc, such as the Ninja 400 or the MT07. As user Born_Echo8951 in their response to a beginner on the forum put it, "A bike that can do 100 mph in 1st gear leaves little room for error."
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
