Yamaha debuted their new R1 today at the dealers meeting in Las Vegas. Looks to be a pretty amazing machine sporting some technological firsts for a production street bike. The crossplane crank is probably the biggest news. I will definitely be looking to pick one up when they come out.

2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 Home, information, info

 

Good looking bike nce subtle improvements.

 

I can't believe they actually brought a big-bang engine into production. It will be interesting to see how these hold up.

I'm partial on the styling....

 

What he heck is a crossplane crankshaft?

 

Taken from Yamaha's website:

Crossplane technology, first pioneered in MotoGP racing with the M1, puts each connecting rod 90° from the next, with an uneven firing interval of 270°- 180°- 90°- 180°. This all but eliminates undesirable inertial crankshaft torque, which allows the engine’s compression torque to build smoothly and provide a very linear power delivery out of the corners. It’s a feeling that’s simply unmatched, like having two engines in one: the low-rpm torquey feel of a twin with the raw, high-rpm power of an inline 4.

 

BTW...Welcome aboard Damon.

 

I like it, look interesting without the lenses in front of the projector headlights.

The black is EVIL. Does that mean a new R6 is coming?

 

New R6 will probably be a '10 model.