MotoGP for the masses? With the release of the all-new 2009 YZF-R1, Yamaha is taking things one step closerThe Yamaha PR men have dubbed the radical R1 the "ultimate cornering machine," which was one of the key areas that they set out to improve over the previous generation. Their idea for the new bike centers around quick turn-in and aggressive acceleration on corner exit. And they did this by utilizing technology derived straight from their GP development.Like their world championship-leading M1, i
ts littler brother has "mass centralization" on the brain, which the entire motorcycle has been laid out around. An all-new frame now features a cast head pipe and front engine mount while the outside rails are now controlled-fill die-cast, allowing for a much more precisely made unit. The inside rails are extruded and the entire chassis rigidity has been revised for optimum handling. This is mated to a new swingarm that features revised rigidity balance aimed at further improving corner-exit grip.Taking cues from its younger sibling, the R6, the R-Uno now has a cast magnesium subframe that is ultra light and reduces weight at the the outer edges of the motorcycle to centralize mass.The 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 features MotoGP tech like a crossplane crankshaft. The new literbike from Yamaha also makes use of a three-position power mode switch - similar to the A, B, C setup on the Suzuki GSX-R lineup.
ts littler brother has "mass centralization" on the brain, which the entire motorcycle has been laid out around. An all-new frame now features a cast head pipe and front engine mount while the outside rails are now controlled-fill die-cast, allowing for a much more precisely made unit. The inside rails are extruded and the entire chassis rigidity has been revised for optimum handling. This is mated to a new swingarm that features revised rigidity balance aimed at further improving corner-exit grip.Taking cues from its younger sibling, the R6, the R-Uno now has a cast magnesium subframe that is ultra light and reduces weight at the the outer edges of the motorcycle to centralize mass.The 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 features MotoGP tech like a crossplane crankshaft. The new literbike from Yamaha also makes use of a three-position power mode switch - similar to the A, B, C setup on the Suzuki GSX-R lineup.
