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Overview

The new-generation YZF-R1 is more closely linked to our MotoGP winning M1 than ever before. For 2009 this legendary motorcycle is equipped with an all-new 998cc inline four-cylinder engine with a crossplane crankshaft that runs with an uneven firing interval of 270º - 180º - 90º - 180º. This innovative new design ensures superb throttle linearity, giving a feeling that the rider’s throttle hand is directly connected to the rear tyre. The new engine feels and sounds smoother than ever, and emits an unforgettable growl from the exhaust. Pushing out 182 PS at 12,500 rpm with 115.5 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm, this MotoGP-inspired engine is without a doubt the most technologically advanced powerplant ever seen on a Yamaha supersport bike. And for the ultimate in feel and controllability, the new-generation R1 runs with an all-new Deltabox chassis offering an idealized rigidity balance.

New-generation YZF-R1: Highly purified excitement

The radical and innovative new 2009 model YZF-R1 represents the most significant development in engine and chassis technology ever seen in the 11-year history of this legendary motorcycle.

Since the original YZF-R1 was released into an awe-struck marketplace, Yamaha’s flagship 1,000cc model has established a reputation as being one of the most innovative and exciting motorcycles in the large-capacity supersport class. For 2009 that outstanding reputation is sure to be reinforced more than ever before!

Featuring an all-new 998cc engine whose design, feel and character has been influenced by our championship winning M1, the new high-tech R1 powerplant is closely linked to our MotoGP bike. Indeed, in its long and illustrious history, the R1 engine has never benefited from so much MotoGP developed technology as the 2009 model.

In addition, the completely redesigned aluminium Deltabox chassis and aggressive new styling, give the new-generation YZF-R1 a radical new look and bring innovative technology to the class. In the same way that the original YZF-R1 threw the rule book out of the window, this revolutionary new model sets a new benchmark for the super-competitive 1,000cc supersport category.

Crossplane crankshaft for purer torque output

Rather than look exclusively to additional electronic aids to further enhance the new YZF-R1’s performance and controllability, Yamaha’s engineers have opted for a mechanical solution.

The defining and most influential feature of the new YZF-R1 is the use of an innovative new 998cc engine which has been developed from our winning YZR-M1 MotoGP design. Undoubtedly the single most significant piece of technology to be seen on this compact new high-performance engine is its race-developed crossplane crankshaft, which delivers outstandingly pure torque characteristics and high levels of traction. Indeed, the new engine’s linear and controllable torque characteristics are the very essence of this radical new generation YZF-R1.

Uneven firing interval for new levels of feel and traction

The new engine’s uneven 270° - 180° - 90° - 180° firing interval creates a whole new feel to the inline 4-cylinder engine, giving the new YZF-R1 rider a more precise and immediate feeling of control over the torque output levels. In addition, the new engine’s linear torque delivery gives rise to a confidence-inspiring sensation that makes each throttle input, however subtle, feel as though it is transmitted directly to the rear tyre.

The result of this rider-responsive torque is an enormously capable 1,000cc supersport motorcycle that is designed to deliver previously unattainable levels of traction for unrivalled cornering performance.

To accentuate the performance gains of the new crossplane crankshaft engine, we have also developed a new short-wheelbase aluminium Deltabox chassis and optimized the front and rear suspension systems. And the radical and aggressive new styling emphasises the new YZF-R1’s concentration of mass and dense compactness.

Newly-designed inline 4-cylinder engine with crossplane crankshaft

This remarkable new 998cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder 4-valve engine features bore x stroke dimensions of 78.0 mm x 52.2 mm, giving an extremely short stroke layout, together with the largest bore dimensions ever used on a Yamaha 1,000cc supersport engine. In association with the short stroke and big bore, a high compression ratio of 12.7:1 is featured, which contributes to the new engine’s impressive power output of 133.9 kW (182 PS) at 12,500 rpm, and a torque output of 115.5 Nm (11.8 kg-m) at 10,000 rpm with natural aspiration.

Uneven firing interval for linear throttle control

Undoubtedly the most significant change for 2009 is the use of an all-new crossplane crankshaft which is based on the advanced race-bred technology that was originally developed for the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP racing machine. This new crossplane crankshaft has been introduced in order to enable the new engine to produce more linear torque characteristics, together with more accurate and linear throttle control.

The new engine’s linear power characteristics deliver a 1:1 relationship between the rider’s throttle input and the engine’s output to the rear tyre, and it is this crucial aspect of the new bike’s character that allows the rider to experience a new of level of cornering performance, together with outstanding traction when entering the mid-section of a corner, and also when accelerating out of a bend.

Another feature of the crossplane crankshaft with uneven firing interval is the very special exhaust note that this layout produces, and the new 2009 YZF-R1 engine note has much in common with the YZR-M1 racing machine.

The search for pure torque

When an engine produces torque, it is actually producing what our engineers refer to as “composite torque”, which is a combination of the torque produced by combustion, and the inertial torque resulting from the revolution of the engine’s crankshaft.

Although the level of combustion torque is both proportionate to, and also a direct result of the rider’s throttle input, the inertial torque is produced in direct relation to the changes in inertial force caused by the engine’s revolutions – and so this element of the composite torque is not under the direct and immediate control of the rider. The composite torque level varies throughout the engine’s rpm range, regardless of the rider’s throttle input, and the unpredictable nature of this composite torque means that the rider cannot select precisely and immediately the torque level that they desire at any given moment.

Therefore, in order to be able to offer more linear control to the rider, it is necessary to create an engine where the inertial torque can be minimized, and the composite torque optimized.

Uneven 270º - 180º - 90º - 180º firing interval

One of the most effective means of achieving optimal composite torque in a 4-cylinder engine is the adoption of a crossplane crankshaft with the crankpins positioned to give a firing interval of 270º - 180º - 90º - 180º, as opposed to the 180º - 180º - 180º - 180º firing interval of a conventional 4-cylinder engine.

So, while a conventional 4-cylinder engine sees the four pistons and con rods effectively move up and down in the cylinders as two pairs (i.e. on the 2008 YZF-R1 the two outermost pistons and con rods move together, as do the two innermost pistons and con rods), each piston and con rod in the new crossplane crankshaft has its own individual and separate movement. The result is that the inertial torque created by the reciprocating mass in the new YZF-R1 engine is minimized, while the asymmetric firing sequence achieves a strong pulse at low to mid rpm range, together with excellent linearity across the whole rpm range.

In order to further optimize the combustion forces in the new asymmetric motor, the electronic mapping for the fuel injection system provides separate fuel injection and ignition timing for each cylinder, and this results in highly linear torque characteristics that would not have been achievable on a conventional engine with a standard crankshaft and 180º firing sequence.

And for smoother running the YZF-R1’s new engine is also fitted with a primary coupling balancer which reduces the vibration produced by the asymmetric crankpin layout.

Previously the crossplane crankshaft has only been used on competition machinery due to the complex-shaped crankpins and crankshaft parts, as well as other factors including fluctuations in combustion torque pressure and levels of vibration. For these reasons this asymmetric engine layout has never been used before on mass-produced 4-cylinder supersport motorcycles, and its use on the new YZF-R1 represents one of the most significant technical innovations ever witnessed in the 1,000cc supersport category.

Slipper clutch

For even more stable handling performance when decelerating during quick downshifting, the 2009 YZF-R1 is equipped with a slipper clutch. This clutch features a mechanism that adjusts clutch spring load when excessive torque is transferred from the rear wheel to the crank when the rider changes down through the transmission. By controlling excessive engine braking forces, this system enhances overall controllability.

4-2-1-2 exhaust and twin up-slanted mufflers

In order to ensure an effective exhaust pulsation to complement the new engine’s crossplane crankshaft, an all-new exhaust system is fitted, in which the exhaust pipes for the 1st and 4th cylinders and for the 2nd and 3rd cylinders are brought together in a 4-2-1-2 layout.

This high performance system features a 3-way catalyser positioned at the point where the four exhaust pipes meet, and outstanding environmental performance is ensured by an O2 sensor linked to the ECU which constantly adjusts the fuel/air mix in order to minimize harmful emissions.

The stylish triangular-shaped mufflers emit a sharp, gutsy exhaust note which complements the unique pulse created by the asymmetric firing sequence of the new crossplane crankshaft. The triangular design also contributes to the tighter and more compact body design of the all-new YZF-R1, while at the same time giving the bike’s rear end a sharp new look.

Engine Technical Highlights

• MotoGP-developed 998cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder 4-valve DOHC
• 133.9 kW (182 PS) at 12,5000 rpm    (in France: 78.1 kW (106 PS) at 10,000 rpm)
• 115.5 Nm (11.8 kg-m) at 10,000 rpm    (in France: 90.3 Nm (9.2 kg-m) at 7,000 rpm)
• Short-stroke, big-bore design
• Bore x stroke 78.0 mm x 52.2 mm
• Crossplane crankshaft
• Uneven 270º - 180º - 90º - 180º firing interval
• Newly-developed forged aluminium pistons
• Closed-deck ceramic-composite plated cylinder
• Fracture split (FS) carburized con rods
• Optimised large-diameter crank journal and flywheel mass
• YCC-I (Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake)
• YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle)
• Fuel injection system with secondary injector
• D-mode Map
• Redesigned forced air intake
• Slipper clutch
• 4-2-1-2 exhaust and twin up-slanted mufflers

Newly designed aluminium Deltabox frame

The 2009 YZF-R1 runs with a completely new aluminium Deltabox frame which has been designed to deliver class-leading handling and cornering performance. Particular attention has been paid to achieving a handling character which allows the rider to fully utilise the new linear torque characteristics and high levels of traction delivered by the new crossplane crankshaft engine.

With the exception of the internal forced air intake ducts, the newly designed Deltabox frame is virtually completely different to the 2008 design, and as well as featuring a new shape with different dimensions, the type of aluminium used and the frame’s overall rigidity balance are also changed for 2009.

The new frame uses a combination of different types of aluminium to achieve the desired balance of rigidity. Gravity cast parts are used for the head pipe as well as the engine mount assemblies and the pivot support assembly, while the outside tank rails are made from CF die-cast aluminium which allows the use of much thinner walls. Parts for the inner tank rail are made from extruded aluminium.

New-shape large-capacity fuel tank

Concentration of mass has been a significant feature on all R-series supersport machines, and the new YZF-R1 takes the concept one step further with the fitment of a newly-designed large-capacity fuel tank. The press-formed shape was developed using 3-D simulation analysis technology, and this has enabled our engineers to create a larger, elongated fuel tank which sits neatly within the new twin spar aluminium Deltabox frame.

With a capacity of 18 litres, the shape and position of the new fuel tank helps to improve concentration of mass, and its central location helps to minimize any variation in the new YZF-R1’s handling characteristics as the amount of fuel in the tank decreases.

Colours

The new YZF-R1 is available in:

1.    Competition White with a red frame
2.    Yamaha Blue
3.    Midnight Black

More Hi-Rez images in the gallery

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