NZ public to get first look at new 2015 Yamaha R1

The all-new 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 will be shown to the public for the first time at Big Boys Toys. Photos / Supplied

The New Zealand public will be the first in the world to get an up close look at Yamaha's new YZF-R1 range of motorcycles at Big Boys Toys this weekend.

The bikes where publicly unveiled for the first time on Tuesday morning NZ time at the EICMA show in Milan to a select crowd of only 300. Now New Zealand motorcycle fans will have the first public opportunity in the world to see the bikes in the flesh and learn more about the groundbreaking new superbikes from Yamaha at Big Boys Toys.

The YZF-R1 is a bike with a strong racing pedigree, dominating the supersports category with the release of the original YZF-R1 in 1998. Yamaha hopes to build upon this with the 2015 model.

Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi with the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1

The new bike visually looks like it has come straight off the MotoGP grid drawing heavily from its M1 MotoGP cousin and is purpose built to be the best track bike available.

MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were on hand to introduce the new model at EICMA - along with its special 'M' version - with Yamaha Motor Corporation President Mr Yanagi.

Rossi was the first person to test the prototype R1 and revealed that the goal was to make the bike as much like his YZR-M1 as possible. "It is just like my M1 but with wing mirrors and a numberplate," explained the MotoGP legend who leant over the new model to kiss it, sending the crowd into rapturous applause.

2015 YZF-R1 specifications in brief

2015 Yamaha YZF-R1

• New 998cc 147kW crossplane 4-cylinder engine
• Highly advanced electronic control systems
• 6-axis IMU with Gyro/G sensors for 3D motion data
• Banking sensitive Traction Control/Slide Control
• Front Lift Control and Launch Control
• Banking sensitive Racing ABS/Unified Brake System
• New short wheelbase aluminium Deltabox frame
• 199 kg wet weight
• Upward truss type swingarm/magnesium rear frame
• Magnesium wheels and aluminium fuel tank
• 'One-click' adjustable riding modes
• New Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD instruments

To find out more on the new YZF-R1 head along to the Yamaha booth at Big Boys Toys at ASB Showgrounds this weekend. Punters can also catch up with Australasia's Number 1 Street Bike Stunt Rider, Dave Mckenna, who is a headline act in the Action Arena on his modified Yamaha MT-09.