THE PERFECT SUPERBIKE - YAMAHA YZF R1

YAMAHA YZF R1

Yamaha YZF R1

The Yamaha R1 is open class superbike manufactured by Yamaha Motor Co. since 1998. As growing up, this is one of the bikes I’ve heard of the most. It is one of the greatest superbikes world has ever see. For me, this bike is the leader of 1000cc segment. Yamaha launched the YZF-R1 after redesigning the Genesis engine to create a more compact engine by raising the gearbox input shaft and allowing the gearbox output shaft to be placed beneath it. This design feature was revolutionary, called a 'stacked gearbox', it has set a precedent for other manufacturers to follow. 

FIRST GENERATION (1998 – 1999)

The R1 featured a 998 cc, liquid-cooled, 20-valve, DOHC, inline four-cylinder engine. It produced 150 BHP and  97.6 N·m of torque at 8,250 rpm. The power was delivered through a 6-speed w/multi-plate clutch transmission. The fuel was fed through four different carbuerators. It weighed only 190 kg without fuel. It had a 18-litre fuel tank. Motorcycle Consumer News tests of the 1998 model year YZF-R1 yielded a 0 to 100 kmph time of 2.96 seconds. It reached a top speed of 270 kmph.

Yamaha YZF R1 (1998)

SECOND GENERATION (2000 – 2001)

In 2000, Yamaha introduced a series of changes to improve the bike, and minor changes to the bodywork to allow for better long duration ride handling. Yamaha's main design goal was to sharpen the pre-existing bike and not to redesign it. The dry weight was reduced five pounds to (188 kg). top-end output remained the same, but changes to the engine management system were intended to result in a smoother, broader distribution of power. The seating area was also updated. The fuel tank was reshaped, with a more relaxed rear angle and deeper leg recesses to provide for a better rider feel. The seat extended further towards the rear of the tank and the new, steeper, seating position put additional weight on the front end. All of this was aimed at improving weight bias and offering sharper cornering and more stability.

Yamaha YZF R1 (2001)

THIRD GENERATION (2002 – 2003)

The 2002 model was fitted with a new fuel injection system which worked like a carburetor by employing a CV carburetor slide controlled by vacuum created by the engine. Else than that, the power output and engine remained the same. One notable improvement was the use of new cylinder sleeves of a high silicon content alloy containing magnesium that minimized heat induced distortion, reducing oil consumption. Also in 2002, Yamaha released the newly developed "Deltabox III" frame, which, with its hydro formed construction, reduced the total number of frame welds. These changes improved the frame's rigidity by 30%. The cooling system was redesigned for better performance and compactness. The exhaust system was changed from a 4-into-1 to a new titanium 4-into-2-into-1 design. The rear end of the motorcycle was updated and streamlined with a LED taillight.

The acceleration increased, going from 0 – 100 kmph in just 2.9 seconds. It reached a top speed of 269 kmph.

Yamaha YZF R1 (2003)

FOURTH GENERATION (2004 – 2005)

This year, With the competition advancing, Yamaha made some major changes to the model. This included style updates, like an under seat twin exhaust, and performance upgrades including radial brakes, and, for the first time an R1 Ram-air intake. The all-new engine was no longer used as a stressed member of the chassis, and had a separate top crankcase and cylinder block. The Horsepower increased to 172 bhp and 180 bhp with ram-air. The weight was reduced to 172 kg. The conventional front brake calipers were replaced by radially mounted calipers, activated by a radial master cylinder. A factory-installed steering damper was also added this year. Combined with the changes to the frame, this helped to eliminate the tendency of the handlebars to shake violently during rapid acceleration or deceleration on less-than-perfect surfaces, a phenomenon known as a speed wobble or tank slapper. The 2004 model reached from 0 – 100 kmph in 3.04 seconds and reached a top speed of 288 kmph. John McGuinness won the senior race at the 2005 Isle of Man TT with Yamaha R1.

Yamaha YZF R1 (2005)

FIFTH GENERATION (2006)

For 2006, the swingarm was extended by 20 millimetres (0.79 in) to reduce acceleration instability. In this year, Yamaha also released a limited edition version in original Yamaha racing colors to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The model (LE/SP) had a Kenny Roberts front and rear custom Öhlins suspension units developed by the same team as the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. Custom forged aluminum Marchesini wheels specifically designed for the LE shaved nearly a pound off the unsprung weight. A back torque-limiting slipper clutch, and an integrated lap timer rounded out the package, making the LE virtually a production racer. Only 500 units were made for the United States with another 500 units for Europe.

Yamaha YZF R1 (2006)

SIXTH GENERATION (2007 – 2008)

The 2007 was completely new with an all-new engine. It had an all-new inline four-cylinder engine, going back to a more conventional four-valves per cylinder, rather than Yamaha's trade mark five-valve Genesis layout. It also had the Yamaha Chip Control Intake (YCC-I) electronic variable-length intake funnel system, Yamaha Chip Control Throttle (YCC-T) fly-by-wire throttle system, slipper-type clutch, all-new aluminum Deltabox frame and swingarm, six-piston radial-mount front brake calipers with 310 mm discs, a wider radiator, and M1 styling on the new large ram-air ports in the front fairing. It produced 177.6 hp at 12,500 rpm 186.4 hp  12,500 rpm with ram air. The power was delivered through a 6-speed w/multi-plate slipper clutch. It reached 0 – 100 kmph in just 2.94 seconds and reached a top speed of 293 kmph – highest till now.

Yamaha YZF R1 (2007)

SEVENTH GENERATION (2009 – 2014)

Yamaha Announced an all-new R1 in 2009. It was more advanced an faster. The new R1 takes engine technology from the M1 MotoGP bike with its cross plane crankshaft. Crossplane technology puts each connecting rod 90° from the next, with an uneven firing interval of 270°- 180°- 90°- 180°. The 2009 R1 was the first production sportbike to use a crossplane crankshaft and big-bang firing order. The power delivery is the same as a 90° V4 with a 180° crank, such as the Honda VFR800 and very similar to the Yamaha V-Max which has been lauded for its exhaust sound.[10] Yamaha claims the bike would give the rider 'two engines in one', the low end torque of a twin and the pace of an inline four. As with previous incarnations of the R1, the 2009 model keeps its Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T). Another advancement included on the 2009 model was D-Mode Throttle Control Valve Mapping, which allows a rider to choose between three distinct maps depending on the rider’s environment. Overall handling of the R1 was improved through changes to frame and suspension. The front has the same classic R1 shape, though the air intake location and headlamp design have been revamped on the 2009 model; using only projector lamps, and using the new-found design space within the nose cone to reroute ram air tubes next to the lights. The 2009 model produced 180 bhp at 12500 rpm. It reached from 0 – 100 kmph in just 2.88 seconds and reached a top speed of 285 kmph.

In 2012 the Yamaha YZF-R1 received traction control and a special edition 50th Anniversary R1 was released. The special edition color is inspired from Assen TT-winning MotoGP bike. The special edition commemorates the participation of Yamaha in MotoGP.

Yamaha YZF R1 (2010)

EIGHTH GENERATION (2015 – present)

At the centennial EICMA motorcycle show, Yamaha officially unveiled a new generation of R1. The new bike has an electronics package that includes a sophisticated Traction Control (TCS) and Slide Control System (SCS), antiwheelie Lift Control System (LIF), linked antilock brakes, Launch Control System (LCS), Quick Shift System (QSS), and selectable power modes. The Slide Control System on the Yamaha YZF-R1 is the first on a production motorcycle. It comes standard with magnesium wheels. Information is presented to the rider through a user-customizable thin-film display. It produces a massive power of 190 bhp. It reaches fron 0 – 100 kmph in 2.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 293 kmph. A second higher-spec, limited production model is also produced called the R1M, and is differentiated from the standard model by having more expensive components such as electronic semi-active Öhlins suspension, carbon fiber bodywork, Yamaha’s Communication Control Unit (CCU), Y-TRAC data logging system, and stickier Bridgestone tires with larger rear 200/55-size. A third model starting in 2016 is also offered a lower-spec R1S. 

Yamaha YZF R1 (2015)