4. YAMAHA YZF-R1
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. This "compacting" of the engine made the total engine length much shorter overall, thereby, allowing the wheelbase of the motorcycle to be shortened significantly. This, in turn, allowed the frame design to place the weight of the engine in the frame to aid handling because of an optimized center of gravity. The swingarm was able to be made longer without compromising the overall wheelbase, which was a short 1385mm. These features, combined with a steep fork angle, exceptional brakes and racing streamlining, created a bike that was unbeatable on the race track at the time. Four Kehin CV carburetors of 40mm diameter fed fuel to the engine, 140 bhp was claimed by the factory, at the countershaft. USD 41mm front forks supplied by KYB mounted 300mm semi-floating disk brakes. The instrument panel was revolutionary, having an electrical problem, self diagnosis system inbuilt, and digital speed readout. The exhaust system utilised an EXUP valve, which controlled the exhaust gas flow, to maximise engine power production at all revs, creating a high powered but also torquey engine. The twin headlights were powerful, allowing high speed travelling at night. The bike had a compression ratio of 11.8:1 with a six-speed transmission and multi-plate clutch.
The Yamaha YZF-R6 was introduced in 1999 as the 600 cc version of the R1 super bike.
Motorcycle Consumer News tests of the 1998 model year YZF-R1 yielded a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) time of 2.96 seconds and 0 to 100 mph (0 to 161 km/h) of 5.93 seconds, a 1⁄4-mile (400 m) time of 10.19 seconds at 131.40 mph (211.47 km/h), and a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h), with deceleration from 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) of 113.9 ft (34.7 m). For the 1999 model year, Cycle World tests found a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.0 seconds, 1⁄4-mile time of 10.31 seconds at 139.55 mph (224.58 km/h), and a top speed of 170 mph (270 km/h).
2015
At the centennial EICMA motorcycle show, Yamaha officially unveiled a new generation of R1. Yamaha claims a wet weight of 199 kg (439 lb) The new bike has an electronics package that includes a sophisticated traction and slide control, a progressively-tapering antiwheelie system, linked antilock brakes, launch control, a quickshifter, and selectable power modes. Information is fed to the bike through a six-axis gyro (Inertial measurement unit) and other sensors over 100 times a second. Power delivery is tapered through both retarded ignition and fuel cuts. Engine changes include shortened bore-to-stroke ratio, larger airbox, a finger-follower valve system, and fracture split titanium conrods. Chassis dimensions remain identical to the previous generation with the exception of a shorter wheelbase and swingarm. It comes standard with magnesium wheels. Information is presented to the rider through a user-customizable thin-film display.
A second higher-spec, limited production model will also be produced called the R1M, and will be differentiated from the standard model by having more expensive components such as electronic semi-active Öhlins suspension, carbon fiber bodywork, an aluminium fuel tank, various magnesium components, and stickier Bridgestone tires.
Motorsport
The bike had 5 wins in the Macau Grand Prix between 1999 and 2013. Lorenzo Alfonsi won the 2004 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, followed by Didier Van Keymeulen in 2005. Yamaha World Superbike riders Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 2008 Superbike World Championship season. Yamaha World Superbike rider Ben Spies won the 2009 Superbike World Championship season title recording 14 wins and 11 poles in his one season in WSBK. The Yamaha Factory Racing Team with riders N. Nakasuga, P. Espargaro, and B. Smith won the 2015 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. Yamaha rider Josh Brookes won the 2015 British Superbike series title.
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