Yamaha YZF R1

2018 Yamaha YZF R1 is the flagship offering from the Japanese automaker that features a crossplane engine alongside top-notch electronics good enough to offer you motoring thrills. Carrying the MotoGP blood, a 200PS power mill and technological upgrades like the refreshed Lift Control System (LCS) and updated Quick Shift System (QSS), which offers improved forward drive and clutch-free downshifting respectively. The use of titanium alloy in the making of connecting rods has shed off 60% of the weight, making it responsive at higher rpm levels. What makes it even more agile and responsive is its Deltabox aluminium lightweight frame and titanium exhaust system. Talking about the looks, the R1 comes with improved aerodynamics, compact body and sharper character that’s livelier than ever. Available in two colours, Yamaha Blue and Tech Black, the Yamaha YZF R1 retails at INR 19.67 Lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi) in India. It rivals the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, BMW S1000RR, Honda CBR1000R and the Suzuki GSX-R1000.

The Yamaha YZF R1 is a fully-faired, aggressive sports bike that shares a lot of things with its track brother, YZR-M1. Possessing the racing DNA and ready-to-launch character, it is one of a kind bike in the Indian two-wheeler market. Upfront, the R1 boasts unique design for an air intake column placed handsomely in the centre. There are compact LED headlights stationed on either side of the air intake with twin LED DRLs that give it a race-ready look. The components like high screen, aggressive-looking air intake and low headlight position make up for its noticeable and dominating front. The sculpted 17-litre fuel tank, on the other hand, gives the rider the liberty to place his legs comfortably. Doing so not only adds to the comfort but also to the manoeuvrability. With almost every panel being edged to look sharper, the R1 hosts plentiful cuts and pronounced creases. The instrument cluster gets a full-colour, thin-film transistor (TFT) meter for regular and advanced readouts. The new YZF R1 gets two modes, street and track that provides useful information like lap timer, gear position indicator and YRC settings. The bike also displays front brake pressure and G-force readings that provides the rider with a better understanding of the bike. Adding to its style are components like 17-inch alloys, a lightweight 4-2-1 titanium exhaust and midship muffler. On the technology front, referring the R1, a front-runner, won’t be an understatement. It features Yamaha Ride Control (YRC) that’s a complete suite of technologies, including traction control, power mode, launch control system, slide control system, quick shift system and lift control system. Additionally, the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) comes with a gyro sensor and an accelerometer for measuring pitch, roll, yaw and up-down, fore-aft, right-left directions respectively. The new YZF R1 features a wheelbase of 1,405mm and a ground clearance of 130mm. In terms of measurement, it is 2,055mm in length, 690mm in width and 1,150mm in height.

The Yamaha YZF R1 is powered by 4 inline cylinders, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, fuel-injected, DOHC crossplane 998cc engine that produces a max power of 200PS at 13,500rpm and a peak torque of 112.4Nm at 11,500rpm, mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox with slipper clutch. For instant response and strong power delivery, Yamaha has equipped it with forged aluminium pistons and titanium connecting rods. Large diameter intake, exhaust valves have been deployed on a pent roof combustion chamber for improved and optimal performance. For high levels of performance and optimum power, Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) funnels are fed with fresh air. The YZF R1 can travel from nought to 100kmph in just 2.70 seconds before attaining its top speed of 299kmph. Expect the R1 to return a combined fuel efficiency of 13kmpl.

The Yamaha YZF R1 is bolted on a lightweight Deltabox frame and comes with the 43mm telescopic front forks and Swingarm link suspension at the rear. All thanks to the lightweight frame, which makes riding R1 a joyous experience. The frame lends it robustness, accounts for its agility and uplifts its responsive nature. The braking duties on the R1 are taken care of by a hydraulic dual disc brake of diameter 320mm at the front and a hydraulic single disc brake of dia 220mm at the rear. For enriched braking experience, there is Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The 17-inch alloys are shod with 120/70 ZR17 and 190/55 ZR17 radial tyres at the front and back respectively.

On the safety front, the R1 gets discs (320mm at front and 220mm at rear) combined with the capabilities of ABS. Additionally, the full suite of an electronic package with life-saving features makes sure that the rider is in full control of the bike no matter what the situation is. The tech package includes a new Quick Shift System (QSS) with rev-matching, an updated Lift Control System (LCS), Slide and Traction Control systems and Launch Control System (LCS).