Photo Gallery of the All-New 2009 Yamaha R1, Unveiled with a Big Bang
Tuesday September 9, 2008
The all-new 2009 Yamaha R1 was unveiled in Las Vegas over the weekend amid much fanfare, with none other than MotoGP stars Colin Edwards, James Toseland, Jorge Lorenzo, and current points leader Valentino Rossi riding the bikes onto the stage.
The 2009 model boasts loads of innovations and improvements:
- A new engine equipped with a "big bang" firing order inherited from MotoGP, making it the world's first production motorcycle with a crossplane crankshaft. Each crank pin is positioned 90 degrees from the next, creating an uneven firing order of 270-180-90-180 degrees for more linear power delivery.
- A D-MODE variable throttle control function that enables three levels of engine power delivery
- A new control filled die-cast frame rail that houses the engine
- New bodywork with twin projector beam headlights concentrated near newly placed forced air intake ducts.
The 2009 Yamaha R1 will be available in January 2009, and start at $12,390; to see every available color combination of this innovative superbike, check out our 2009 Yamaha R1 Photo Gallery.
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Photo © Yamaha
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Comments
Sometimes, I find it amazing how closely connected and how quickly technology bred on the racetrack trickles down to production bikes.
I just can’t get over the over-exaggerated (imho) bug-eye look. Almost looks a bit Buell-ish. I wonder how the tuning fork R-faithful take to the new -R1.
It’s also good to see manufacturers no longer emphasizing sheer output -not that 160rwhp is anything to sneeze at- but rather on technologies and designs that make the bike more accessible. Given the majority of owners can’t use the whole performance envelope of a late-model sportbike, technologies as seen on the 2008 CBR1000RR and now the YZF-R1 should help mere mortal riders be all they can be on their bike.