MOTORING 7FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2009 THE SCOTSMAN
The focus of the Yamaha YZF-R1 is on the riding experience, with intelligent and intuitive handling
ANGUS HOWARTH
YAMAHA'S 2009 YZF-R1 comes
equipped for but one task �
wrestling the superbike crown
from the Suzuki GSXR-1000.
The Honda Fireblade ruled
the roost for some years, fol-
lowed by the Yamaha R1, which
was in turn deposed by the
Kawasaki ZX10R before the
Suzuki took its position at the
top of the podium. Yamaha now
reckons it's time to depose the
`Gixxer'.
Its secret weapon is GENICH
which, if you can believe it, rep-
resentsthe`GenesisinElectronic
engineeringaimedatNew,Inno-
vative Control technology based
on Human sensibilities'. Only in
Japan.
How Does It Handle?
Intelligently in a word. With
every generation of sports bike
we tend to hear how frames have
got stiffer, brakes bigger and so
on.
Yamaha has removed itself
from this brain-out feeding
frenzy and looked at what we
want from a race-replica bike.
Thecompanydiscoveredthatwe
want to go fast, naturally, but at
the same time we don't want to
feel scared, overwhelmed or just
plain out of the feedback loop.
Therefore this generation R1
notches back the stiffness of the
frame spars a little to offer more
feedback. The swing arm, head
stock castings and engine
mounts are beefed up but Yama-
haclaimstheendresultisamore
intuitive feel for what the tyre
contact patch is up to.
Trackdays come calling on Yamaha's R1
Bikes&Scooters
"The engine feels and
soundssmootherthan
ever, and emits an
unforgettable growl
from the exhaust"
What this means in normal
language is that Yamaha has
recognised that there's a limit to
the inputs a human rider can
process and that some bike tech-
nologies were exceeding those
limits.
The new-generation R1 runs
with an all-new Deltabox chassis
offering an idealized rigidity
balance.
What Does It Cost?
You'll need around �10,000 if
you'retoswingyourlegoverone
of these, although it's not hard to
see where your money has
gone.
The detailing is a lot smarter
than the outgoing R1 with the
muscular bodywork aping the
sharplycreasededgesoftheYZF-
R6.
Six-pot calipers grab the front
discs, revised headlights give a
longer dipped beam light throw
andthefinishontheinstrument
binnacle is clearly tidier than be-
fore.
Theweighthascreptupby3kg
and there are three colour choic-
es, the classic Yamaha red and
white combo plus blue and
black.
FACT BOX
BIKE: Yamaha YZF-R1
PRICE: �9,999
ENGINE: 998cc Liquid-cooled,
4-stroke, forward-inclined
parallel 4-cylinder, 4-valves
POWER: 179bhp at 12,500 rpm
BORE X STROKE: 78.0 x 52.2
mm
TORQUE: 115.5 Nm (11.8 kg-m)
at 10,000 rpm
CLUTCH: Wet, multiple-disc coil
spring
TRANSMISSION: Constant
mesh, 6-speed
BRAKES: Front and rear discs
CHASSIS: Aluminium Deltabox
INSURANCE GROUP: 17
FUEL TANK: 18 litres
LENGTH: 2,070 mm
WIDTH: 715 mm
HEIGHT: 1,130 mm
SEAT HEIGHT: 835 mm
WEIGHT: 206kg
The all-new 998cc inline four-
cylinder engine with a cross-
plane crankshaft feels and
sounds smoother than ever, and
emits an unforgettable growl
from the exhaust.
This MotoGP-inspired engine
is the most technologically ad-
vancedpowerplanteverseenon
a Yamaha supersport bike. A
slipper clutch is also fitted to
permit silkier downchanges.
Verdict
Forget about the on-paper fig-
ures, the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1
has been designed not to grab
cheapcolumninchesbutinstead
to make big power accessible
more of the time.
So many supersports bike
makers seem to have forgotten
about the typical skill levels of
the target buyer. The R1 hasn't
gone soft. It just got smarter.
This latest contender in the superbike
arena is set to steal hearts and minds
XJ6 Diversion/ABS*
All new stylish and fun middleweight . Newley-developed
600cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder engine .
Easy-to-handle power delivery . 4-1 exhaust with compact
midship muffler and 3-way catalytic converter . New tubular
frame delivers easy handling combined with impressive ride
quality . New lightweight cast wheels for low unsprung
weight . Monocross rearsuspension gives good roadholding
and high levels of rider comfort . Smooth-action 41mm forks
. Adjustable-position handlebar . Newly-designed footrests
(integrated front and rear) . ABS option
Carrick Yamaha
62, Queen Charlotte Street
Edinburgh
EH6 7ET
Tel: 0131 555 2575
Web: www.carrickyamaha.com
0% FINANCE AVAILABLE
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
Colour shown - Ocean Depth
(also available in Graphite and Lava Red)

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