Over the last three decades, Yamaha’s R Series has become synonymous with speed, performance and style.
The launch of a new ‘R’ model has always been a game-changing moment for Yamaha, from the unveiling of the original R1 in 1998, followed by the R6 a year later along with the iconic YZF-R7, to the re-invigoration of the entry-level market with the R125 in 2008. 2015 saw the introduction of MotoGP-level electronics to the Supersport segment with the R1 and R1M, and then the CP2-powered R7 added a completely new dimension to the Supersport market in 2021.
And now, for 2025, the time has come to re-define the Supersport category once more with the latest highly-anticipated model to join the legendary R Series line-up; the R9. Offering exhilarating performance and the cutting-edge technology the R Series is renowned for, the R9 presents a whole new generation of Supersport.
There is no escaping that the Supersport market has changed over the years, with the needs and desires of riders evolving and emissions regulations becoming stricter. It is this change which led Yamaha to the decision that their iconic R1 would become a track-only model from 2025 with the introduction of the R1 RACE and continuation of the R1 GYTR.
And while the R1 GYTR and R1 RACE and their ultimate track performance remain the halo-models atop of the Supersport range, Yamaha remains committed to the future of road-going Supersport market, and the appetite and desire shown for this market since the introduction of the R7 makes it clear there remains a place for road-going Supersport models.
The introduction of the R9 completes the step-up Supersport category, which progresses from the entry level R125 to the A2-category R3, middleweight R7 and now the R9 on the road-going side, while the ever-important R1 GYTR, R1 RACE, R6 GYTR and R6 RACE retain their place in the line-up with their high-level performance reserved for the track.
While this new generation of Supersport marks the beginning of a new chapter, the story remains the same with the Supersport range’s identity born from Yamaha’s racing DNA. From design cues to race-developed technology, each Supersport model is a product of Yamaha’s racing at the very highest level.
The R9 takes this proven, race-derived technology and design and combines it with the critically acclaimed, triple-cylinder CP3 engine platform which has revolutionised the Yamaha brand over the last decade. The marriage of this famously high-torque powerplant and Yamaha’s renowned race-precision handling creates a perfectly balanced Supersport model worthy of its status as the R Series flagship, offering usable sports performance on the road, and ample performance for the track.
