Yamaha YZF R1 2018

The bike that rose up to challenge the legendary Fireblade and won. R1 has a cult status around the world, in no way helped by having quite a few of same tech as that of GOAT Valentino RossiпїЅs multiple championship winning M1. YamahaпїЅs have always been known for screaming engines and great power to weight ratios packed in an insanely flickable package. This is no exception. The bike is telepathic, you have to just think of the direction and the bike would have turned by the time you get back to reality. The steering response of this bike is that of a gnat on Red Bull. Not only that with the new crossplane engine it has got tractability of a v-twin and the screaming revs of an inline four. Best of all the bike is a stunner and sounds like even better. The competition comprises of brilliant bikes like the Fireblade, ZX10R, GSX 1000R and the Superbikes from the Ducati range.

The engine is a 999cc inline four producing a 3 series rivaling 180bhp. Mated to a glitch free 6 speed transmission the bike feels like you are riding a rocket with rear view mirrors. The engine is vibe free and there are no signs of the engine not liking the abuse. Once you have gotten the hang of it you can twist the throttle and watch the world reverse in fast forward. While this bike is a superb love story bear in mind that it might be a bit tough to enjoy it on normal roads.

The bike does around 20kms to a litre, but that is what the official figures say, expect around 15, which gives it a range of around 200kms. Good for many a rounds of the race track and going back home, but then that is where this bike is supposed to be. Any ways mileage should be the least of your concerns on this bike, matching lean angles of your superstars should be.

The bike makes around 180 odd wild horses, which means that this bike is capable of warp speeds. If you are a law abiding citizen hitting second gear can itself lead to trouble with the speed cameras. The bike does 100kmph in less than 3 seconds, for screaming out loud. Needless to say that the bike packs quite a punch and its performance can only be rightfully exploited on a race track, which are fewer than fans of Uday Chopra. Still, if you have the money it is the sort of experience that nothing else, four wheels included, can match.