Yamaha has released its 4th generation Supersport flagship motorcycle, the
YZF-R1, or simply the R1 to those in the know. Point-to-point, the R1 has
been one of the quickest sports bikes on the market, often bestowed with a
power-to-weight ratio that would scare off a lot of riders And for 2006, the new model gets even more power from it's
5-valve-per-cylinder 998cc petrol engine and an even better handling chassis
for 2006.
Yamaha is confident that these changes, along with some
body styling revisions, will make sure that its legendary machine maintains
it's position as the most exciting and desirable 1000cc supersport machine
on the market The 2006 model R1 is also available in a special colour to celebrate
Yamaha's 50th Anniversary. Yamaha explains that the 'Extreme Yellow' machine
was inspired by the livery of the legendary World Championship winning bikes
that dominated the 500cc Road Racing Championships back in 1978, 1979 and
1980.
For 2006 Yamaha says that it has focussed R1 development on increased
engine and cornering performance and to achieve this goal, Yamaha’s
engineers have boosted power by maximising intake and exhaust efficiency and
optimised the frame balance by altering the main frame and lengthening the
swingarm (connects the rear wheel to the frame).
The new R1 maintains the same liquid-cooled 4-stroke, dual overhead
camshaft, 40-degree forward-inclined, 4-cylinder and 5-valve fuel injected
engine format. But taking last years engine as a base, the company has designed a new
combustion chamber, installed new high-lift cams while a 12.4:1 compression
ratio has increased intake/exhaust efficiency for a significant boost in
power output.
A smoother intake port shape has also increased intake air volume. Max
power has been raised by 3hp to 175hp at the same rpm level of 12,500rpm (or
183hp with ram air effect).
This equates to about 130kW - or 136kW with ram air effect, which is
significant when you consider the bike weighs just 173kg dry (dry = no
fluids, such as oil, petrol, brake fluid etc). Yamaha hasn't released any
specific 0-100km/h times, but the 2006 R1 is expected to reach 100km/h from
standstill in about 2.8 seconds.
In addition to the wild 1.0-litre engine, another of the R1's entrenched
components return: the Deltabox V frame. For the 4th generation R1, explains Yamaha, the frame has been further
revised to achieve optimum rigidity balance for improved handling, developed
using structural analysis and repeated testing based on the same concept as
the MotoGP competition model YZR-M1.
Yamaha has revealed that the upper portion of the main frame, the engine
mount bracket and rear arm bracket specs have been changed to optimise
connection rigidity, while the rigidity and shape of the under-bracket for
the front fork and the rigidity balance of the fork's outer tube have also
been revised.
The combined effect of these changes is to provide the ideal balance for
improved cornering performance. These updates also contribute to gentler
acceleration/deceleration characteristics for excellent secondary steering
qualities.
The upside down aluminium swingarm maintains the same controlled fill
structure but is 16mm longer than the previous R1 generation. Yamaha
explains that the resulting increase in distance between the pivot and the
rear axle contributes to reduced interference to the chassis resulting from
chain tension during cornering while also providing a good rigidity balance
for increased traction. The longer rear arm also increases the chain
adjustment range and the selection of tyre specs that can be used.
Features:
998cc, fuel injected, liquid-cooled, 20-valve, DOHC inline four cylinder
43mm fully adjustable inverted fork
Fully adjustable linkage-mounted rear shock
Dual 320mm fronts discs with radial mounted forged 4-piston calipers
Team Yamaha Blue and Metallic Black (Raven) paint schemes for 2006; 50th
Anniversary Yellow/Black
NOTE: Some of the photos on
Motorcycle Specs are owned by somebody. If you see any of your
photos, you can let me know so that I can acknowledge it, or if
you object to it, I can remove it altogether. If any copyright
holder objects to their articles being placed on Motorcycle
Specs, it will be removed upon request. Any correction or more
info on these bikes will kindly beappreciated
Contact MePrivacy
Policy
Website Stats
