Professor Matthieu
Doctor Aurélien
What are we going to examine today ?
Today, our patient is the new R1
With what Kind of test do you want to start
Well, with some basic ones, nothing important
Routine stuff ! Yes, routine stuff
For the very first tests, we started with the overall balance of the R1.
For the wheelies, no problem. On the other hand, we can forget about the stoppies
Because, if you can adjust the ABS, it’s impossible to disconnect it.
Well, it’s not the best bike for stunts
The first gear is too long, the riding position is not adapted
I think it’s much better for track use
Anyway, we quickly felt that the japonese bike wasn’t built for acrobatics.
So, we quickly moved to more appropriate analyzes
Here, we’re fine. Very fine.
From the outset, we feel that this new R1 has been entirely thought for the track.
The bike is compact, lightweight, devilishly agile
with a perfect riding position on track
The flat tank facilitates the rider’s movements, especially when you've to change direction
And as a racing bike, the saddle is hight and the handlebar is rather tight
At the last motorbike show in Milan, Valentino Rossi himself was there to introduce the bike.
Explaining how he participated to the beast’s conception. And what had been his main objective
And we can say that the Doctor made a very good surgery
Because this Yamaha submerges you in the world of races
Shifter, traction control, anti-wheelies, adjustable ABS, launch control...
But above all, a diabolic soundtrack broadcasted by the Crossplane four cylinder.
Listen to this rough sound, who gives you goosebumps at the slightest rotation of the accelerator
You don’t need to be a MotoGP rider to have fun on the new R1
However, when one of them is available, it would be a shame not to use him !
It’s a very technical bike, so i need a real specialist. Is it bother you to make a little auscultation ?
No problem. I’m going to take its temperature Let’s go
Obvioulsy, exploiting a 200 HP and 198 kg bike is not given to everyone.
Because even if it is full of electronic riding assistances, this new R1 remains a ticking time bomb
After 8000 RPM, the engine propels you forward vigorously, maltreating the rear tire in corner exits
concerning the front part, as sharp as a scalpel,
you can keep the brakes in corners entries without missing the good lines
But the rider must be as competitive as the bike.
So, what’s up Doc ?
I really liked the bike. A very technological bike
very easy to handle, a good engine. It’s a very fun toy for track
What are its qualities ?
The engine and the agility of the bike.
And what are its defects ?
Hum, the bike slides on stong braking
But if we adjust the suspensions, it could be better.
Among the highlights of the new R1, we could add the design.
There are only few sports bike that have gone that far in minimalism, in the aesthetics of a track machine.
Not to mention the luxurious elements
aluminum fuel tank, magnesium rims and rear frame,
large brakes with 4-pistons radial calipers...
And a digital dashboard as a Moto GP one.
To make a better auscultation, and examine our patient’s innards, we decided to undress her a little bit
Look at all these electronics elements
the incredible width of the frame or the compactness of the four cylinder in line
Which has cam followers between the camshafts and the valves, and Titanium rods.
As you can see, Yamaha producted an amazing and crazy bike.
Ok, but we are scientists, we need statistics
Yes, you’re right. So we are now going to check all the measurements
To realise our measurments, we own a very modern equipment
adhesive !
wich works with a GPS accurate to a tenth of kilometer per hour
We just have to fasten it on the bike
To open the throttle
To wait few seconds
And to brake as a woodcutter
Then, we come back to the pits, we connect our equipment to a laptop and we decrypt the measurements
Ho, it was fast !
0 to 100 km per hour in 3.1 seconds, it’s not so bad
0 to 200 km per hour in 6.9 seconds, it’s the best
And what about 400 meters and 1000 meters standing starts ?
Well, for the 400 m, it’s 10 seconds. One more time, it’s the best performance of the sportbikes class
And for the 1000 meters standing starts, 17.8 seconds.
And, 293.4 km/h !
Yes, it pushes very hard !
Wow, the new R1 is so fast !
Yes, sure. But we’re professionnals, damned !
Heu, there is a strange smell, isn’t it ?
Hum, maybe, it smells fear
But just a little bit
Above all, we’d rather take a smaller bike next time !
On the Yamaha R1, We liked
The bike compactness
The engine power
The agility of the bike
The electronics assistances
The riding sensations
We didn’t like
The stability on strong brakes
The non-disconnectable ABS