Yamaha R1 SBK Kenny Roberts Livery Is Pure Nostalgia; Not for Sale

• Special colours will appear at the 2026 CIV Racing Night
• Yellow, black and white graphics recall Kenny Roberts’ race bikes

Yamaha R1 SBK has received this stunning Kenny Roberts-inspired colour scheme for the 2026 CIV Racing Night at the Misano World Circuit. Obviously this mega special is not for sale. The livery has been created specifically for the two DMR Racing R1 Superbikes competing at the event on 25 and 26 July.

The design brings back the Yamaha Yellow associated with the great Roberts and the company’s racing motorcycles from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Bright yellow covers most of the R1’s fairing, while black and white sections break up its large surfaces. There are no complicated patterns trying to modernise the original idea beyond recognition. Instead, Yamaha has allowed the historic colours to sit naturally on the present motorcycle.

Modern R1 has far sharper bodywork than the Grand Prix motorcycles that first made these colours famous. Its compact headlight area, layered side fairings, aerodynamic wings and raised tail give the yellow-and-black treatment a very different appeal. Yet the old speed-block design adapts surprisingly well to those angular surfaces.

The present European R1 has also moved further towards track use. Yamaha’s R1 Race is a closed-circuit model powered by a 998cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine and uses MotoGP-inspired aerodynamic wings, upgraded suspension and Brembo braking equipment. The company has said that the R1’s European development will focus on racing and circuit riding.