Yamaha New YZF R1
Maxabout Review
Best Sports Bike
Monday, September 07, 2009Overview
Yamaha Motors India is planning to launch the 2009/2010 model of R1 in India soon - may be this festive season. It is expected to be priced in the same price bracket of current gen R1. The new generation YZF-R1 is more closely linked to our MotoGP winning M1 than ever before. In 2008, Yamaha’s YZF-R1 reached the 10-year anniversary of its introduction. In 1998 the 150-horsepower R1 was nothing less than revolution.
Design & Style
The first that will catch your attention in the new R1 are the round projector beam headlamps set into openings that mimic the traditional R1 shape. This is more than just styling however, the headlight opening incorporate the forced air intakes. All new bodywork does more than add break-away-from-the- crowd styling. Completely new, the new model has a more serious, less busy look. The side fairing is smoother for a sleeker appearance.
The designers also included retractable eyelids to differentiate between dip and full beam. Basically, a plastic cover conceals part of the beam when dipped, and retracts to fully reveal when the high beam is needed. The aluminum Deltabox frame is also all new, using a combination of gravity cast, die cast and stamped components for the lightest possible weight. The engine is also a stressed member. Yamaha claims and ideal mix of rigidity, flex and low weight. A Honda-like electronic steering damper, that varies the degree of damping depending on speed, serves to keep the whole thing pointed forward.
Engine
For 2009 this legendary motorcycle is equipped with an all-new 998cc inline four-cylinder engine with a crossplane crankshaft that runs with an uneven firing interval of 270º - 180º - 90º - 180º. This innovative new design ensures superb throttle linearity, giving a feeling that the rider’s throttle hand is directly connected to the rear tyre. The new engine feels and sounds smoother than ever, and emits an unforgettable growl from the exhaust. Pushing out 179 Bhp at 12500 rpm with 115.5 Nm of torque at 10000 rpm, this MotoGP-inspired engine is without a doubt the most technologically advanced powerplant ever seen on a Yamaha supersport bike.
As with the previous R1 and the 2008 Yamaha R6, ride-by-wire Yamaha Chip Control Thottle and Chip Control Intake are also present, smoothing out your inputs and optimizing power and torque. There's also Suzuki-like variable engine mapping, which allows you to switch through three different ranges of power delivery and throttle sensitivity settings.
The R1 features Yamaha D-MODE (or drive mode) with rider-selectable throttle control maps to program YCC-T performance characteristics for riding conditions. The standard map is designed for optimum overall performance. The "A" mode lets the rider enjoy sportier engine response in the low- to mid-speed range, and the "B" mode offers response that is somewhat less sharp response for riding situations that require especially sensitive throttle operation. Switching maps is as easy as pushing a button on the handlebar switch.
Chassis & Suspension
The frame is completely revamped, with a combination of uncompromising rigidity where needed along with carefully achieved flex for the precise rigidity balance this bike needs to give the rider the full benefit of its handling and engine characteristics. New SOQI front forks take a page from the championship-winning design of our MotoGP weapon, the M1. Since both forks always move together, compression damping duties can be confined to the left fork, while rebound damping is precisely handled by the right fork.
The new SOQI rear shock both high and low speed compression damping plus an easy-to-use screw adjustment for preload. This unit also adopts a pillow-ball-type joint for exceptional shock absorption, road hold feeling, and damper response. To achieve maximum performance, a new bottom linkage is used to work with the rest of the chassis refinements for brilliant, crisp handling characteristics.