2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike Photo Gallery

The FMF Apex slip-on mufflers added five peak horsepower.

We modify our 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 to make it more comfortable to ride on the street. Find out how it works in this Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike Review. Then see how it performs around the racetrack in the 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike Part 2 test.

Although it’s pricey, the $239.95 Comfort Seat (left) is far more comfortable than the stock R1 seat (right).

We love the shape, finish, and of course the exhaust note emitted from FMF’s Apex mufflers. Even better is that the price has dropped by $100 for ’10.

The $84.95 Raised Bubble Windscreen deflects wind up and over the rider’s torso. It’s easy to mount and works much better than the stock windshield.

Motoring up to Laguna Seca on the 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike.

A view from Cannery Row at the 2010 USGP.

Riding Yamaha’s YZF-R1 on the way to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the MotoGP race

Riding Yamaha’s YZF-R1 on the way to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the MotoGP race.

Loaded with gear on the way to Laguna Seca for the MotoGP race aboard the 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1.

Waheed plans his route before departing to Laguna aboard his 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1.

Taking a break near Lake Nacimiento on the way to Laguna Seca.

With the addition of Yamaha’s accessory seat, windshield, AXIO tank bag, and Cortech Saddlebags the R1 becomes an capable sportbike to tour on.

Our September girl of the month, Amanda poses with our 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 project bike.

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike dyno chart FMF Apex pipes versus stock.

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike dyno chart JETT Tuning ECU re-flash versus stock.

If you ride a sportbike a trip to Monterey, California for the MotoGP races is worth a visit.

With the addition of a few accessories from the Yamaha catalog the R1 becomes a great motorcycle to explore new places on.

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike.

The R1 has adjustable footrests, with a 15mm height and 3mm front-to-rear adjustment. We moved them up for racetrack use.

Here we add some preload to the RG3-tuned shock for the racetrack.

Dave Moss from Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning checks the preload in the RG3-tuned fork during our Pacific Track Time trackday at Thunderhill.

This is the R1’s ECU.

The ECU is located beneath the left fairing and is easy to remove.

Deran from RG3 works on the R1’s Soqi shock absorber.

With upgraded suspension and tires the R1 proved to be a better track bike.

Even in stock form the R1 delivers a good amount of front brake power. Feel however could be better.

The Michelin Power 2CT trackday tires serve up more road handling performance on the racetrack.

“B” mode continues to be our preferred drive mode on the R1 as it reduces how jerky the throttle feels when twisted.

The RG3-tuned shock reduced the R1’s propensity to squat excessively during acceleration.

The profile of the Michelin Power One 2CT tires made the R1 steer quicker yet didn’t compromise straight-line stability.

We replaced the OE-fitted Dunlop Qualifer D210 with a premium Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tire.

RG3 Suspension installed stiffer 1.0 kg/mm fork springs (0.92 kg/mm stock) and modified the valving. We never were able to get the fork to perform the way we wanted.

RG3 chose to retain the stock shock spring but modified the damping characteristics. Overall we were very pleased with the performance of it.

Added road holding was a clear benefit of the Michelin tire and RG3 Suspension upgrades.

The easy to install $59.99 Graves Motorsports R1 Fender Eliminator kit cleans up the rear end of the bike and makes it appear racier.

2010 Yamaha R1 Project Bike.

Yamaha YZF-R1 Project Bike.

MotoUSA was on location for the 2010 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Spinning laps at Thunderhill Raceway with Pacific Track Time aboard the '10 Yamaha R1 Project Bike.