If we talk about a special edition of the Yamaha YZF-R1 Petronas, and we tell you that only 46 units were manufactured, you will quickly connect the dots. It is the last team that Valentino Rossi raced with and, therefore, it is a commemorative edition of that event. But reality is so capricious that, despite the coincidences, it has nothing to do with the Italian star.
If there are 46 units of this 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 Petronas, it is for a much more commercial reason: it commemorates the 46th anniversary of collaboration between Yamaha and Petronas. In fact, the bike is from 2020 and Valentino was in the Malaysian team just a year later.
What’s more, although the design is very similar to the one worn by Valentino, the motorcycle bears Franco Morbidelli’s number 21 and other decorations, such as the Alpinestars logo, which are not compatible with the Tavullia rider.
But the Yamaha YZF-R1 Petronas, of which, as we said, 46 units were manufactured, was not just a standard Yamaha R1 with decoration, far from it. Each and every one of them passed through the hands of Yamaha Europe and the YART (Yamaha Austria Racing Team), who were responsible for providing them with everything necessary to turn them into unique examples.
The Yamaha YZF-R1 Petronas is ready to hit the track
The materials used make them racing bikes: Öhlins FGRT 219 fork, Öhlins TTX rear shock absorber, Marchesini rims, Akrapovic exhaust, Brembo brake calipers and master cylinder, footpegs, brake line protectors, Michein slicks, racing seat, electronics GYTR… And, of course, a fairing in the purest MotoGP style when the standard Yamaha R1s did not have it.
As for the unit that is going to be auctioned through Iconic Auctioners, it is number 13 in the collection and is brand new. It has only been used as an exhibition motorcycle, although it is ready to be started and enter the circuit.
It is expected that 40,000 euros can be reached in the auction, although we will not know until November 10. What we do know is that the lucky one who gets it will also get a certificate, a t-shirt, tools and spare parts.
