Yamaha's YZFR-1: the third evolution

[a007apl]

By JIM DUNCAN
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I could start this article off with the obvious, "A few years ago, Yamaha created a bike that forever changed the landscape of motorcycling..."

Sod that, how about - "Cor blimey, this new R1 looks the dog's bollocks!"

Not only did we get to see the new R1 at the 2001 Phillip Island GP, but now we've been sent all sorts of interesting info about the bike.

Wanting nothing more than to share this with you, let's get down to business.

The third-generation R1 is visibly different to the 2001 model, with a flatter duck-tail section, re-styled headlights, a new frame, new LED brake lights, re-styled fairing and even a new coat of paint.

But let's start with the new frame. The Deltabox III is new, which also means it is a lot funkier. Constructed of aluminium and finished with a black coat of paint, the new Deltabox frame is lighter and more rigid than before.

This will contribute to sharper handling, and while the R1 has always been sharp, we won't know how sharp until we get to ride the thing.

Also contributing to the sharper handling is a reduction in weight. At 174kg dry, the new R1 isn't to be balked at. Such reductions in weight were achieved by using lighter wheels, lighter-weight titanium header pipes and a new aluminium swingarm.

Up front, the new Yam uses fully adjustable 43mm Kayaba forks and a single shock with piggyback reservoir, adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping sits at the rear.

The R1 still uses Yamaha's proven EXUP exhaust thingy, but this year it's been overhauled. Now with two shafts and dual butterfly valves, the EXUP system is able to adjust exhaust flow for premium torque, whenever you want it.

The anchors have always been quite good on the R1 and the third evolution of the bike gets even better. Dual 298mm front disc brakes, now with gold anodized, 4-piston calipers, plus all-new aluminium pistons and sintered brake pads offer more bite than ever. At the rear sits a 220mm disc, with a newer, lighter 2-pot, pin-slide caliper.

But perhaps one of the biggest changes, which will no doubt either completely screw up the bike, or make it even better than ever, is electronic fuel injection.

Me? I don't like it, but we'll reserve judgement for when the bike arrives early next year.

The carbs have been dropped and now the bike has a sophisticated ECU with all sorts of computer chips and wires.

To try and combat the lag sometimes associated with fuel injected bikes, the R1 takes advantage of a new suction-piston type of fuel injection.

Competition tested (read: they did some burnouts), the new system includes shorter intake ports featuring a vacuum-controlled intake system, working via both piston and butterfly-type throttle valves.

If this all sounds a bit complex, think of it this way: the bike should now deliver linear power like a carburetor, yet the fuel injection helps with low and mid-range torque, too. Sounds pretty swish, but again, we'll have to wait and see as to the system's effectiveness.

At the core of the bike resides a 998cc, inline 4-cylinder, four-stroke engine. Yamaha claims the new bike churns out about 110kW, or 150bhp @ 10,000rpm. Torque figures are equally impressive - how does 108Nm @ 8500rpm sound? With five valves per cylinder, too, the bike will be quite a ride, that much is assured.

An all-new, forward facing airbox, which routes cooler, fresher air towards the egine as speed increases, ensures a better high-rev output, or more top end, if you will.

At the end of the day, people are probably going to buy this bike, regardless of whether it handles, accelerates or brakes better than its predecessor. The new styling cues are very trick - just check out the ultra-modern tail light. With more engine exposed through the fairing, a sharper tail-section and a smaller tank (same 18 litre capacity though), the new bike is very sharp - let's hope the performance matches the bikes sexy lines.

The GSX-R 1000 took the top spot in the supersports class early this year, wresting it with sheer brute force from the R1. But now, with a plethora of innovations and supposedly more power, can the rejuvenated R1 reclaim the crown?
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The 2002 Yamaha YZF-R1


New colour scheme is gear


110kW @ 10,000rpm - leave license at door...


The R1 gets a fuel-injected power plant in 2002


This hi-tech red thing scans for cops...

[lMlElNaCe-GSR]

nice article. i personally love the R1, but i would prefer a gixxer