Report - Valentino Rossi to test the next gen Yamaha R1, unveiling next month

Scheduled to be unveiled at EICMA 2014.

A news report on Italian publication Gazzetta suggests that Valentino Rossi will test the racing prototype of the next gen Yamaha R1 in the coming weeks.

[Head to Youtube if you can't watch the video.]

It's to be noted that Yamaha has recently released a teaser video suggesting that the eagerly awaited next gen R1 will be unveiled at the EICMA 2014 on November 3. The shakedown test by the MotoGP legend would take place before the global premiere.

The Yamaha R1 racing prototype is expected to mark the Japanese two wheeler maker's re-entry into the highly competitive Superbike championship (Yamaha withdrew from the series in 2011).

Coming to the production version of the new Yahama R1, going by the teaser video, one can expect the litre class superbike to come with a single-sided swing arm, fully adjustable fork and large brake calipers.

Also read: 2014 Yamaha XJR1300 and XJR1300 Racer unveiled at INTERMOT 2014

The powerplant is expected to be an updated version of the current gen bike's in-line four cylinder unit, producing more power and torque. The new R1 is rumored to be available in two variants - a racing version with 230 PS on tap (with track-specific traction control and electronic suspension) and a street-legal version in a lower state of tune.

[Source: Gazzetta]