12th January 2017

Overview

The recent years have witnessed the shrinkage of the super-sports market as motorcyclists switch to adventure bikes and other alternatives, causing Japanese motorcycle giants to consider abandoning the segment completely. But Yamaha pro-actively taps into this market by launching the successor to its famed 1998 model YZF-R1, but basing it on the current M1 racer. Yamaha recognizes the behaviour of buyers of super-sports bikes and shifts the focus from road to circuit performance.

Yamaha YZF-R1 packs MotoGP YZF- M1 technology, short wheelbase chassis, a cross plane engine and sophisticated electronics to make it one of the most coveted bikes in the super sports market. The MotoGP technology lends high-level performance to the R1, providing incredible traction and stability. The YZF-R1 is purpose-built for racetracks, and blurs the line between road bikes and those uber-specialised MotoGP machines.

Yamaha YZF-R1 vies with the Honda Fireblade CBR 1000, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and Suzuki GSX-1000 in the litre class category. Yamaha bases R1 on an Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU), a device consisting of accelerometers and gyroscopes used by BMW, KTM and Ducati to track movement.

Design and Specifications

The Yamaha YZF-R1 is perfectly sculpted to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The maximum output of the R1 is 197bhp, and it weighs 199kg with fuel that makes its power-to-weight ratio moderately higher than that of BMW’s S1000RR. In addition to the MotoGP-derived cross plane and sophisticated electronic package, the R1 is fully equipped with digital rider aids such as braking-sensitive traction control, Slide Control, Quick shifter, Wheel Lift Control, Launch Control, ABS, and a unified braking system.

The bike gives riders unprecedented rider-adaptive performance. The free-flowing titanium exhaust system improves mass centralization. The Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU) represents the new era where all riders can experience complete three-dimensional controllability. The informed systems of  IMU consists of gyro-sensors and accelerometers that measure pitch, roll, yaw and acceleration respectively at the rate of 125 calculations per second.

The 998CC, 16 valve four-cylinder engine of the bike uses standard tuning methods for gaining 18bhp over the previous power plant. The titanium alloy is 60% lighter than steel, and gives the R1 engine a potent and responsive character at high RPM. The lightweight magnesium cover further reduces the engine weight.

The thinly padded, slightly higher seat of the R1 shows that it is an extremely steady machine. Below the racy screen is an alluringly colourful digital panel that shows various settings, which are controllable via buttons on the handlebar. The range of controllability, adaptability and control options may sound bewildering but the Yamaha YZF-R1 is extremely intuitive and rider-friendly.

The LED headlights are both compact and lightweight, allowing for a more streamlined front layout and design. The stylish LED lighting lends a distinctive class to the motorbike.

The exhilarating Yamaha YZF-R1, with its sophisticated MotoGP technology, was developed under the motto “no excuses”. The launch off the R1 marks the dawn of a new era in the super sports market and is poised to revolutionize the riding experience of motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere.