Could this be the end of an era for Yamaha ’ s groundbreaking YZF-R1 superbike ? It has been confirmed that the UK market will see the iconic Japanese superbike leave showrooms with no replacement in sight . In a statement , Yamaha ’ s UK arm confirmed that there is no current plan to develop the R1 or its more track focussed R1M sibling for tighter emissions regulations which are soon to be implemented in the European market . “ Yamaha Motor Group , have taken the decision not to develop an EU5 + version of the R1 or R1M instead focusing on other mid-term business and product strategies that will provide future opportunities ”, the statement read . That means from 2025 in Europe riders won ’ t be able to road register a new R1 or R1M . Instead , like the R6 before it , the R1 will be offered in a track-only guise . With the homologation of the bike good for racing in the top-tiers of motorcycle sport secure until 2028 , Yamaha will have three years in which to develop a replacement should they wish to compete beyond the 2028 season . Despite the bike ’ s European future going to a track-only focus from 2025 , Yamaha has stated that global production of the R1 will continue in the future , as will the development programme that has seen the bike secure world titles in both WorldSBK and EWC . While it has been confirmed only for the European market that the R1 will go track only , the bike ’ s New Zealand future is yet to be confirmed by Yamaha Motor New Zealand who did not respond before this edition went live . With long-standing rumours of an R9 being in development , maybe the hard-edged R1 is better off going track only and leaving the road for bikes that can be enjoyed more in a setting that isn ’ t just the racetrack .