Some people get a watch when they retire. Not Vale. He?s probably already got a cupboard full of watches. No, Yamaha were never going to get away with that. Instead, to celebrate the years and years the nine-time world champ spent at the pinnacle of the sport, and the fact that he did so many of them with Yamaha, YME (Yamaha Motor Europe) have given him an R1. But it?s not just any old R1. It?s the ultra-special, R1 GYTR VR46 Tribute. And it?s probably one of the trick-est R1s outside the WSBK paddock.

In fact, it?s an R1 that?s dripping with GYTR (Genuine Yamaha Racing Technology) parts. Everything from the GYTR Marchesinis and GYTR Akrapovi? full system, to GYTR rearsets, handlebars, slipper clutch and radiator.

And anything they couldn?t find replacements for in the GYTR catalogue, they?ve cherry picked out of the long list of parts and features that?ve been developed by Yamaha?s World Superbike Team. That?s Yamaha?s championship winning World Superbike Team, remember"
Its got carbon fibre bodywork and subframe, Öhlins everything, Brembo everything else, a REX 140 Marelli ECU, a 22 litre factory fuel tank, and tuned engine. You couldn?t build a more trick trackday bike if you tried.

Rossi’s helmet

It?s very, very cool. And it?s made even cooler by the special livery, designed by Aldo Drudi, Rossi?s long-time helmet sponsor and big buddy.

Really though, it?s only the paint job that makes it a VR46 Tribute bike. And the fact that they?...