Superbike: Colin Edwards tests the Yamaha R1

Yamaha's return to Superbike next year, after its withdrawal at the end of 2011, is now known, as is the fact that the new YZF-R1 was created expressly with this in mind to compete at the highest levels in this category.

The bike, developed according to the indications of Valentino Rossi and Joshua Hayes, already seems to be a good project, an opinion supported, in addition to the excellent performances in the BSB, the IDM and other local championships, by the victory in the Suzuka 8 Hours, which brought success back to Iwata after 19 years.
The new R1 was also positively evaluated by Colin Edwards, one of the symbolic Yamaha riders on the track and two-time world champion in Superbike.

The forty-one-year-old American, who retired during the 2014 season, when he was in MotoGP, completed a few laps on the motorcycle in the commemorative livery of Yamaha's 60 years on the Thunderbolt Raceway, an American track that is new to him.

Texas Tornado therefore didn't push too much, also because he didn't know Dunlop tires well, but he said he had fun and joked about the characteristics of the R1, which he defined as "very fast", although inevitably heavier than the MotoGP.

The bike already seems to be significantly better performing than the production version that he had the opportunity to ride during the R1M days held in Europe.

After also receiving Edwards' blessing, the hypersport Yamaha now has no choice but to face its rivals on the field.