A motorcycle-riding robot unveiled by Yamaha at the Tokyo Motor Show has given notice to nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi that it was created to surpass him.

Described by Yamaha as "an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot", MOTOBOT has rigid legs and torso, and arms jointed at the shoulders and wrists but not elbows.

The robot is shown in a racing crouch astride a 1,000cc R1M superbike that has been modified with outrigger-mounted wheels.

Videos uploaded to YouTube shows MOTOBOT steering and operating the throttle, clutch and gearbox on an "open field run" as an engineer monitors a video feed that appears to be through the motorcycle's windscreen, from MOTOBOT's perspective.

Yamaha says knowledge gained from MOTOBOT will help to develop advanced rider safety systems. ( Supplied )

"The way you ride is both beautiful and exciting," MOTOBOT says about Yamaha rider Rossi in a voiceover.

"I am improving my skills every day but I am not sure I could even beat the five-year-old you. Perhaps if I learn everything about you, I will be able to catch up.

"I am not human, but there has to be something only I am capable of."

In a statement, Yamaha said controlling a motorcycle at high speed "requires a variety of control systems that must function with a high degree of accuracy".

"R&D is currently underway with the goal of developing the robot to ride an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack at more than 200 km/h," it said.

Yamaha said it aimed to use the research to create advanced rider safety systems.

Rossi is currently leading the MotoGP world championship by seven points over Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, but will start the final race of the season from the back of the grid after being penalised over an incident with Honda rider Marc Marquez at the Malaysian Grand Prix.