Big Bang R1

kiwi60 · Post by **kiwi60** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:07 pm

It's finally happened - MotoGP motor technology is beginning to filter down to the masses at a realistic price with the new R1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is possibly the biggest news in motorcycle motor development for quite some time and I've got a funny feeling that I'll be booking a test ride when they arrive just to see what they're like.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/yama ... ing-order/

kiwi60 · Post by **kiwi60** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:11 pm

I've been having a think about Yamaha's rational about building the big bang motor and have come to the conclusion that they REALLY WANT to win WSB, and what better way to do it than mass produce a MotoGP motor!!!!!

Does this mean that we might just see the Ducati 990 Desmosedici in WSB, they have already built 1500 of them and I think the door is open for them to run them now....

stan · Post by **stan** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:42 am

by the looks of all those black lines, Colin Edwards certinally enjoys it!!!!

Interesting point, 1098 or 990 in WSBK, sales or reputation perhaps

Will we see another attempt at an R1 SP version, for race team use of course

This certinally ups the ante with KTM, Aprillia, and BMW all comming ino WSBK, Bayliss leaving, there might just be a window of oppurtunity for yamaha to win a wsbk title

Q: have Yamaha ever won a WSBK Title???

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:10 am

If I had to choose, I'd go with this one:

Only gripe is that I'm not real big on the headlights. Almost comes across as if the cowl isn't finished. Still a sexy looking bike, though.

haunter · Post by **haunter** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:25 am

I would have to say I am not a fan of them going back to the big side fairings too

I like the new R6 better looks wise, but the tech in the R1 is so awsome!

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:50 am

I wish Yamaha would get off their ass and stop detuning the FZ1 and let it run rampant like the R1 power plant is supposed to be. Just do what Suzuki did with the B-King. Throw in a switch that limits the power output of the Busa engine and call it a day.

ExupElvis · Post by **ExupElvis** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:41 am

Great.
Another inline engine that will sound like a V-4.
That's gonna be a weird bike.
Maybe someday they will rediscover the featherbed tube steel frame too.

kiwi60 · Post by **kiwi60** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:55 pm

Maybe someday they will rediscover the featherbed tube steel frame too. Confused

Another inline engine that will sound like a V-4.

Was there a previous I4 that sounded like a V4 apart from the MotoGP bikes?

kiwi60 · Post by **kiwi60** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:00 pm

I would have to say I am not a fan of them going back to the big side fairings too

I'm guessing the fairing is all about maximum speed for WSB.

Photobucket's down at the moment so I can't post a photo, but have a look at the R1 in black further down the page - very nice, and the headlights seem to blend in a lot better as well.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/yama ... ing-order/

owdamer · Post by **owdamer** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:42 pm

I'm not too hot on the red framed version, or the yellow one come to think of it, but the blue one looks nice. Looking forward to seeing it on the tracks next year. Got some UK interest in WSB again next year with the news that Tom Sykes will be riding for Yamaha. Wonder who his team mate will be?
For those that might not know, Tom Sykes currently rides for Rizla Suzuki in BSB. I'll have someone to cheer for now as he's a local lad to me. He's from Huddersfield, which is just over the other side of the hill to me. About 20 miles or so.

kiwi60 · Post by **kiwi60** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:48 pm

That's great news about Sykes, he put in a stunning ride last weekend!!!

ExupElvis · Post by **ExupElvis** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:50 pm

kiwi60 wrote:Was there a previous I4 that sounded like a V4 apart from the MotoGP bikes?

I'm just being a smart arse Kiwi................................It is a redesign that I see no use for in a street bike, and it's added complexity to a degree.
I think Honda used that approach in their 5 cylinder, but then that was already a GP bike.
It is a useful way to take the "snap" out of a smooth balanced engine that comes up on the cam at high power levels when the rider needs more throttle control.............say in the middle of a corner.
Very useful in fact.
But on the street? I just don't see the need for it. The street engines won't make as much power as the super bikes, so it will end up being a rough(er) running engine for no good reason.
Anyone riding on the ragged edge of traction on a public road should maybe be thinking about putting their bike on the track, and only the track.
Ducati has a few real nice bikes for those that need bigger power pulses in mid corner - and they sound real good as V-twins.
I don't think this Yami is gonna be any competition for 'em.
Just my

kiwi60 · Post by **kiwi60** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:48 pm

I'm just being a smart arse Kiwi

I find that very hard to believe...

I agree with your thoughts about usefullness on the street - but I still can't wait to ride one

ExupElvis · Post by **ExupElvis** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:02 pm

but I still can't wait to ride one

I'm in

sickle44 · Post by **sickle44** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:28 am

I've heard a lot of bitchin' about the new R1 looks, even some guys saying they think it's hidious!! I'll really don't understand that at all to be honest as machines always look astoundingly different in the flesh than they do in pics. [(I actually liked the 999!!!) Being a bit older I guess the ability to empathize quite a bit more must affect quite a bit, Not quite sure I would have ever liked to be in Terblanche's shoes, that was one hell of job, and one hell of a task to complete, at least imo anyways]
I have to agree though, the new R1 front end does look a little unfinished, at least in pics anyways? I've never been one much for those projector beam thingy's anyways, sure would be interesting if we could somehow fit the crank and all the other necessary internals and electrics on an old FZR, yes, I know this is a large pipe dream, but, talk about your ultimate sleeper eh?

haunter · Post by **haunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:30 pm

they are kind augly in person too

exhaust is far too wide

tail is to far angled Up midway up the tail for the exhaust

and the headlights just plain look goofy

ergos are bad though

flash to pass and hazards on it this year!

kiwi60 · Post by **kiwi60** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:21 pm

they are kind augly in person too

exhaust is far too wide

tail is to far angled Up midway up the tail for the exhaust

and the headlights just plain look goofy

ergos are bad though

flash to pass and hazards on it this year!

Didn't realise they were out yet, have you taken one out for a ride?

haunter · Post by **haunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:17 pm

Yamaha had 3 at their tent at the Indy GP Race

they wouldnt start em up though

one of the 2 tents there with a Desmodici RR in it started it every hour or so, you would think Yamaha could do the same

they had demo rides, but only on Star morotcycles :sad

sickle44 · Post by **sickle44** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:55 pm

Star motorcycles????

What a crock a sheite that is, if you ask me? Gotta change the japanese name to something more american? What a buncha....

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:14 pm

haunter wrote:they are kinda ugly in person too!

Totally agree. After seeing it up close I really hate those headlights now. And the graphics too...just comes across looking like cheap stickers slapped on so the fairings aren't so plain. The R6 didn't look near as bad. Man do they need to make those headlights go away! The new FZ6R is a kinda neat looking bike. Even had one in "chick" colors that the girlfriend liked.

Really wish I would have had my gear when I saw that KTM was doing demo rides with all their bikes. Damn they were slick.