Few machines can boast the success level of the Yamaha YZF-R1 in the big Superstock class; the machine which powered two of the last four 1000 Superstock champions. Last year the machine of choice for Yamaha riders was the whole new R1 which powered the Superstock Yamaha hopefuls to success. The 2007 machine continues to be ridden this year, proving to be a formidable track weapon for the Yamaha riders to attack the championship with.

The 2007 machine was a great leap down the evolutionary road, with a redesigned engine and an all-new chassis package focused even more on racetrack abilities than its predecessors.
In a class where so few modifications are allowed the base machine is of supreme importance, and thus the sharpened and honed R1 proved to be the best ever package for Yamaha riders in this class. Most permitted modifications are focused on safety like the removal of lights and passenger footpegs. No internal engine tuning is allowed and among the few modifications that can be made are the fitment of a racing exhaust system and replacement of the standard rear shock absorber with an aftermarket unit.

Lorenzo Alfonsi (2004) and Didier van Keymeulen (2005) both scored championship wins on previous R1 versions, and Michele Pirro joined them in 2007 winning the Italian Superstock 1000 Championship on the 2007 machine. The 2007 machine was a virtual ground-up advance, with a four-valve per cylinder arrangement adopted in the engine, aided by a ram-air system. The revised chassis and swingarm also offered greater limits on track for a machine which has already proved itself to be an ideal choice for top level track action.

Michele Pirro is still a Yamaha Superstock 1000 rider to watch this year, alongside the talented Yamaha Motor Italia rider Claudio Corti, who narrowly missed out on the 2007 championship in the final round.