Yamaha YZF-R1
The Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle, first built in 1998, helped initiate the litre class "handling arms race" between the Japanese Big Four motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Suzuki and Yamaha Motor Corporation). When it was first introduced it was considered a groundbreaking design; a 1000 cc engine in a frame the size of a 600 cc bike. It was on par with the power output ratings of its competition but it was unique with its unprecedented agility. The key in the R1's success was the redesigned Genesis engine. In traditional inline-4 motorcycle engines the crankshaft, gearbox input and output shafts were parallel in a flat plane; in the R1 the shafts formed a triangle. This made the engine very short, allowing the Wheelbase to be shortened greatly, which in turn led to the exceptional handling. This bike has a compression ratio of 12.4:1.The Yamaha R1 has a transmission of 6-speed w/multi-plate clutch.
The R1 was dominant for five years before the competition could catch up to its level. In 2003 the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 and in 2004 the Kawasaki ZX-10R have successfully challenged the R1. The 2004 R1 produces 180 hp at the crankshaft and also weighs the same in kilograms, giving it a theoretical 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, however the horsepower that is released at the rear wheel is closer to 150hp (or more, under properly tuned and optimal conditions). The R1 is able to do 107 mph in first gear. In 2006 the Yamaha R1 expanded its output to 175 hp in addition to a 20 mm longer swingarm. The 2006 model year for the R1 is groundbreaking with the release of the Limited Edition model. At the MSRP of $18,000 and only 500 units made for the United States makes ownership very limited, marking the 50th Anniversay year for Yamaha.
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