Jack Miller doesn’t hand out compliments lightly — but when it comes to the Yamaha M1, the Australian is more than happy to sing its praises.
After racing MotoGP machinery from Honda, Ducati, KTM and now Yamaha, Miller says the M1 “rates pretty high up there” among the bikes he’s ridden in the premier class.
The 2025 season marked Miller’s first full year on an inline-four MotoGP bike, having previously raced exclusively on V4 machinery. And despite a mixed campaign with Pramac Yamaha, the experience clearly left an impression.
Miller finished 17th in the championship, with a best result of fifth at the Americas GP, but throughout the year he repeatedly highlighted the M1’s front-end feel — describing it as a genuinely “special” motorcycle.
“It’s a good motorcycle,” Miller said.
“It’s hard to compare different eras. The lap times we’re doing now would have meant nothing three years ago. Every year, we just go faster and faster.”
“Obviously you learn the strengths and weaknesses of the bike. There are areas we all want to improve — that’s normal.”
“But overall, it rates really high. The M1 is a pretty special motorcycle. I’m very fortunate to be able to ride it.”
Perhaps most telling is Miller’s admission that, on paper, the Yamaha shouldn’t suit him at all.
“On paper, it’s not a bike for my riding style,” he said. “But we’ve made it work.”
And work it did — if inconsistently.
“This season we had some really strong results, and some really shitty ones,” Miller laughed, summing up Yamaha’s current reality with brutal honesty.
Miller’s experience ultimately proved invaluable. After an uncertain start to 2025, his deep understanding of V4 bikes earned him a contract extension with Pramac for 2026 — where he’ll play a key role in developing Yamaha’s all-new V4 MotoGP project.
Next season, he’ll also partner three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, with Miller’s experience expected to be crucial in helping the Turkish superstar adapt to MotoGP life.
From scepticism to admiration, Jack Miller’s verdict is clear:
The Yamaha M1 still belongs among MotoGP’s elite — and its next chapter might just be the most exciting yet.
