Yamaha has come out swinging once again for 2009. Hot on the heels of their very successful redesigned R6 from last year, the much anticipated Yamaha YZF-R1 is all new from top to bottom and it has MotoGP written all over it. Squint a little bit and it even looks like Valentino Rossi’s M1.
The new-generation YZF-R1 is more closely linked to our MotoGP winning M1 than ever before. 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 182 PS at 12,500 rpm with 115.5 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm, this MotoGP-inspired engine is without a doubt the most technologically advanced powerplant ever seen on a Yamaha supersport bike. And for the ultimate in feel and controllability, the new-generation R1 runs with an all-new Deltabox chassis offering an idealized rigidity balance.
