SPECIAL DELIVERY

Yamaha's top-spec YZF-R1M hits all the right notes...

- JON URRY

The 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 is a very special bike in many ways.

Marking a turning point in the R1's fortunes, not only was this the most technologically-advanced R1 ever built, but it was also the first generation to feature a top-spec M-model variant. True, an R1 SP did make a brief appearance in 2006, but this lazy lash-up was quickly forgotten about and never really bothered its rivals. The 2015 YZF-R1M, in contrast, was a proper weapon that took the fight to the likes of the BMW S1000RR, Aprilia RSV4 RF, Ducati 1299 Panigale S and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R...

Released alongside lots of pictures of Valentino Rossi riding it during development (he apparently had a hand in it, although we suspect this was marketing spin), the R1M took the already incredibly impressive base of the all-new 2015 YZF-R1 and elevated it to another level. Following the pattern set by the Italian manufacturers, Yamaha went knocking on Öhlins' door (to be fair, it probably had a spare key as it used to own the company) and armed the R1M with the very latest in the Swedish firm's semi-active suspension systems.

Then, to add some extra kudos, they dressed the bike in a carbon fairing, gave it a unique paint scheme with a polished aluminium tank, added a bit of track-inspired tech, and made it 'limited' through an online ordering system (technically, only 1000 were made worldwide in 2015). Oh, and it also cost £3500 more than the stock R1 at £18,499... Was it worth the extra investment? Hell, yes!