Yamaha YZF-R1
| Yamaha YZF-R1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
| Also called | R1 |
| Production | 1998 - present |
| Predecessor | Yamaha YZF1000R |
| Class | sport bike |
| Related | Yamaha YZF-R6 |
| Similar | BMW S1000RR Ducati 1098 Honda CBR1000RR Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Suzuki GSX-R1000 |
The Yamaha YZF-R1, introduced in 1998, is Yamaha Motor Company's third generation super sport motorcycle.
The 2008 model has an MSRP of USD $11,699.
Contents |
History
Starting with the FZR1000 in 1987, Yamaha introduced several motorcycle engineering firsts including the boxed aluminum "DeltaBox" frame, advanced intake and exhausts technologies including a 5 valve-per-cylinder head and an exhaust EXUP power-valve. The engines usable power output was dramatically improved throughout the entire RPM range and featured one of the flattest power curves ever seen on a motorcycle. The aluminum Deltabox frame was very light and rigid when compared to steel and both handling and braking were vastly improved over the old-style steel cradle frames. These numerous advances made the FZR1000 a veritable "tour de force" and it was voted "bike of the decade" by many who found it to be quite capable both on and off the track.
For the next four years Yamaha enjoyed significant sales and racing success, however in 1992 Honda introduced the CBR900RR Fireblade which was essentially a marriage of the chassis used for their 600cc motorcycles with an over-bored 750cc engine. Even though the Fireblades weren't as powerful as the FZR1000, it was lighter and shorter which resulted in much quicker handling. It took Yamaha four years to realize the significant weight and power changes that were introduced in the short-lived YZF1000R "ThunderAce". Still, the YZF1000R was based on the original Genesis engine which was canted forward sharply causing the wheelbase to be longer than the Fireblades
1998
Yamaha launched the YZF-R1 after redesigning the Genesis engine to offset the crankshaft, gearbox input and output shafts and this "compacting" of the engine yielded a huge dividend in that the total engine length was now very short. This allowed the wheelbase to be shortened significantly which resulted in much quicker handling and an optimized center of gravity.
The launch model Yamaha YZF-R1 was available in white/red or blue. In Europe the blue proved to be the most popular and was in very short supply, added to by early models being subject to a worldwide recall for a clutch problem. This bike has a compression ratio of 12.4:1. with a 6-speed w/multi-plate clutch transmission. Yamaha today describe the launch R1 as the true value of "Kando".[1]
1999
The '99 version of the R1 saw only minor changes, apart from paint and graphics. Notably improvements were a redesigned gear change linkage and the gear change shaft length which was increased for better gear shifting. Fuel tank reserve capacity was reduced from 5.5 liters to 4.0 liters, while the total fuel tank capacity was unchanged at 18 liters. A second worldwide recall to change a coolant hose clamp under the fuel tank which could under hard use come adrift affected the early 1999 models, with all 1998 models were all recalled.
2000 - 2001
In 2000, Yamaha introduced a series of changes to improve the bike, plus minor changes to the body work to allow for better long duration ride handling. The R1 was an excellent bike to live with on short runs, but due to its quick handling was not a favorite longer run bike. Yamaha's main design goal was to sharpen the pre-existing bike and not redesign it. Even so they instituted over 150 changes in hopes of making an already light, sleek and mean motorcycle even lighter, sleeker and meaner. For example, even with the addition of the new Air Induction System, which weighs four pounds, the overall weight of the bike is down five pounds to a claimed 385 pounds dry. At a claimed 150 horsepower at the crank, top-end output remains the same but changes to the engine management system are supposed to result in a smoother, broader distribution of power.The bodywork is still unmistakably R1 although a few changes were made resulting in a 3% reduction in the drag coefficient. The headlight housing has a sharper profile, the side panels are more aerodynamic and slippery and the windscreen has been reshaped for better rider protection. In fact the bodywork changed so much that bodywork from previous R1s will not fit the Y2K edition.
Also updated is the seating area. The fuel tank is reshaped with a more relaxed rear angle and deeper leg recesses to provide for better rider feel. The seat extends further towards the front of the tank and the new, steeper seating position puts additional weight on the front end. All of this is aimed at improving weight bias and offering sharper cornering and more stability. Again, the resounding theme here is to sharpen what was already a very sharp package. The carburetors have been rejetted in an effort to improve throttle response -- especially in the low end -- all the way up to the bike's 11,750 rpm redline. The redesigned camshafts are lighter and use internal oil ways to lubricate journals that, when combined with reduced tapped clearance, provide less friction and create less engine noise. Also changed within the crankcase is the gearbox featuring a taller first gear, a hollow chrome-moly shift-shaft with an additional bearing and a completely redesigned shift linkage and foot pedal. These changes are aimed at nixing last year's transmission complaints as well as helping to transfer as seamlessly as possible the R1's prodigious power to the pavement.
2001 was the first year the R1 was truly beaten in performance numbers. The Suzuki GSX-R1000, weighed about the same but produced a bit more power and torque. This also marked the last year that Yamaha used a carburetors engine in the R1. Subsequent R1s would employ a fuel injection system.
A new fuel injection system was introduced for the 2002 year, which worked like a carburetor by employing a CV carburetor slide controlled by vacuum created by the engine. With a similar power output to the 2001 bike, the engine was developed (larger bore, shorter stroke) to rev higher, faster and for longer. For 2003, the only change was the choice of colors. The previous years all had a "Red" option, but this was replaced by a black with red flames "Special Edition" which cost an extra $100. Also in 2002, Yamaha released the newly developed "Deltabox III" frame, which, with its hydroformed construction, dramatically reduced the total number of frame welds, thereby greatly improving the frame's strength and torsional rigidity. The rear end of the motorcycle was updated and streamlined with an LED taillight. This allowed for very clean rear body lines when choosing one of several common aftermarket modifications, such as removal of the turn signal stalks and stock licence plate bracket; and replacing them with assorted available replacements that "hug" the body or frame. Also, front end lighting was improved in 2002, between the higher definition headlights and also side "parking" lights within the twin-headlight panel, giving more aftermarket possiblities to remove the front blinkers and utilize these front lights as directional or hazzard markers while stopped.
2004 - 2005
With the competition advancing, Yamaha took to a major development. This included style updates like an underseat exhaust, and performance upgrades including radial brakes and for the first time on an R1 Ram-air intake. Furthermore, the wheelie-tendency known from earlier productions is drastically reduced by changing frame geometry and weight properties. The all new engine (no longer used as a stressed member of the chassis) featured a separate top crankcase and cylinder block. The 2004 R1 produces a stated 172 hp at the crankshaft (excluding RamAir) and also weighs 172 kilograms. Also newly added for this year was a factory installed steering damper. Combined with the changes to the frame, it helped to eliminate the tendency of the handlebars to shake violently during rapid acceleration or more so during deceleration on downgrade and less-than-perfect surfaces (aka "tank slapping").
2006
In 06, Yamaha is now mated with 180 hp at the flywheel. In addition, due to acceleration instability, the swingarm was extended 20 mm longer. Also, in 2006 the 50th anniversary of Yamaha racing in America, Yamaha released a Limited Edition yellow/white/black bike in original Yamaha racing colors. They also made a limited edition model (LE/SP) featuring a Kenny Roberts replica paint pattern with yellow and black paint, front and rear custom Öhlins suspension units developed by the people who work on the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. Custom forged aluminum Marchesini wheels specifically designed for the LE remove nearly a pound of unsprung weight. A back torque-limiting slipper clutch, , Brembo brakes, and an integrated lap timer switch on the right handle bar round out the package making the LE more of a production racer. It has an MSRP of $18,000 and only 500 units were made for the United States.
2007-2008
An all-new YZF-R1 for the 2007 model year was announced on 9 October, 2006. Key features include an all-new inline four-cylinder engine; going back to a more conventional 4-valve per cylinder rather than Yamaha's trade mark 5-valve genesis layout. Other new features are 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. 2008 brought BNG and the ability to buy limited edition Fiat plastics.
