2006 Yamaha YZF-R1

YZF-R1. It's all in the Detail;

With numerous racing victories to its credit, including the 2004 AMA Superstock Championship, European Superstock Championship and FIM World Endurance title, as well as stunning performances in the Isle of Man TT races and the All Japan Championships, the R has proved that it is at the top of its game.

Increased power and an even better handling chassis for 2006 mean that this legendary machine is destined to maintain its position as the most exciting, most desirable and most beautiful 1000 cc supersport.

2006 YZF-R1 - A masterpiece refined;

More than any other motorcycle, the R1 has become synonymous with awe-inspiring engine performance and remarkable handling qualities. Yet, at the same time as being one of the world's premier large-capacity supersport machines, the Yamaha R1 has also established a reputation for being one of the most stylish and beautifully-finished motorcycles that money can buy - in any category.

On the race track the YZF-R1 has been quick to make its presence felt, and in 2004 the R1 won three major titles - the AMA Superstock Championship, the European Superstock Championship, and the FIM World Endurance Championship.

R1 riders have also performed strongly in the prestigious All Japan Championships, and the R1 was victorious in the Isle of Man TT races on the world's toughest road circuit. More recently the YZF-R1 had an impressive victory in the 2005 24-hour race of Le Mans and took its debut race win in the 2005 World Superbike Championship, underlining the machine's ability to win at the very highest level.

2006 R1. The human Touch;

The development goals of the R1 have always been the same since day one: to create the definitive high performance supersport motorcycle with class-leading engine and chassis technology combined with aggressive and distinctive styling, that delivers the ultimate riding experience and unrivalled cornering performance.

Yamaha has always been an innovative and forward-looking company, and for these reasons the R1 development team are constantly striving for an even higher degree of perfection.

When the fourth generation YZF-R1 was launched it immediately set new standards for cornering, performance and styling, and the wide range of engine and chassis changes introduced for 2006 are designed to enhance the R1 experience even further. The higher powered engine and more agile chassis are sure to underline the R1's unrivalled cornering performance and handling qualities on secondary roads - and will undoubtedly reinforce its reputation as the most exciting and rewarding supersport machine.

All these developments are the result of Yamaha's ongoing research and development programme, in which the R1 has been constantly pushed to the limit by our factory test riders. It is their input that has helped to make the latest model feel and perform the way it does, and it underlines how human sensitivity has played a key role in forming the distinctive character of the R1.

Engine - 3 horsepower increase;

The 2006 model runs with the same 998 cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-cylinder 5-valve layout featuring a 77 x 53.6 mm bore and stroke and 12.4:1 compression ratio. Equipped with a 3-axis transmission, fuel injection and 40 degree forward slanted cylinders, this ultra-compact powerplant is one of the most highly respected supersport engines of all time. Yamaha's engineers have conducted a thorough examination of the R1's intake and exhaust efficiency, and for 2006 a range of detailed changes in this area have achieved a 3 Hp increase in power at 12,500 rpm without direct air induction.

One of the most significant changes is the use of shorter intake valve guides for 2006. Measuring 27.5 mm, these new guides are 5 mm shorter than the 2005 model, and this 15% reduction in length increases engine efficiency by increasing intake air flow, and reducing frictional power losses. To match the new intake valve guides, the 2006 model also features smoother intake ports. Furthermore, the clutch boss has been modified to increase the oil flow to the clutch assembly.

Other detail changes;

The design of the compact cam chain tensioner has been revised, and now features a different sealing system for improved durability. The overall length of the main gear axle is increased by 5 mm, and the engine cover is modified accordingly.

Engine TechnicaL Highlights;

* Without direct air induction

Chassis;

place. Revised lateral and torsional rigidity balance The front section of the main frame consists of a number of layers of cast and sheet aluminium that create a strong and lightweight structure. By altering the thickness of the constituent parts of this structure, the rigidity balance of the '06 Deltabox V frame has been revised at the section of the main frame around the forward engine mounts.

The thickness of the cast aluminium outer layer on the latest frame has been reduced by 1 mm to 3.5 mm at the thinnest point. This gives a small reduction in rigidity in the section of the main frame between the forward engine mounts and the steering head. In this way the new frame offers the same high levels of stability and lateral rigidity as the 2005 model, together with even lighter and more responsive handling in turns.

These changes have been introduced as a direct result of many thousands of hours of intensive track and road testing, and riders of the 2006 model are sure to feel the improvement in rider feedback and handling qualities generated by the revised chassis design. modified engine and swingarm mounts; modified fork components The R1's rigidity balance has also been altered by modifying the engine mounts and swingarm brackets.

The front fork lower triple clamp is now straight - compared with the offset design on the current model - and the rigidity balance of the new gold-coloured front fork outer tubes has also been revised.

Individually, these changes would appear to be relatively minor, but the combined effect of them is to deliver an idealised balance of rigidity, or balanced flex, which makes for higher quality handling characteristics during cornering, acceleration and deceleration.

New longer swingarm;

The original YZF-R1 pioneered the use of a long swingarm with its pivot axle positioned close to the bike's mid-way point, and the 2006 model takes this concept one step further. While the overall structure of the latest swingarm is similar to the current model, its overall length is increased by 20 mm, a change which offers two main advantages. Firstly, the disruptive effect on handling caused by chain tension during cornering is reduced, and secondly, the extended swingarm gives a good rigidity balance and contributes to the R1's high levels of traction.

The 2005 model is already recognised as being one of the best balanced supersport machines, but our engineers - who are totally committed to optimising every aspect of the R1 - have modified the swingarm to refine this balance, in order to deliver even better handling performance and driveability.

The new swingarm also increases the chain adjustment range, and widens the choice of rear tyres available for the latest model.

Increase in front wheel weight distribution;

The longer swingarm also affects weight distribution, and the 2006 R1 runs with a 1% increase in front wheel weight distribution, giving this bike an even more 'planted' feel on the road than ever before. Combined with the frame's revised rigidity balance, these other chassis improvements make for class-leading cornering performance, and reaffirm the R1 as the leading choice for discerning supersport riders.

Chassis Technical highlights;

Available Colours;

The 50th Anniversary model features the famous Black and Yellow Yamaha 'Speed Block' design made famous by Yamaha's Gp race bikes in the 1970s and 1980s. This legendary colour scheme has been inspired by the livery of the World Championship-winning Yamaha factory bikes that dominated the 500 cc Road Racing World Championship in 1978, 1979 and 1980. The Yellow R1 will also feature Yamaha's 50th Anniversary logo on the tank.

YZF-R1. it's all in the detail;

It's fair to say that the YZF-R1 is one of, if not the most famous supersport motorcycle ever built. When it was originally launched in 1998, the first-generation R1 was universally regarded as being the most remarkable motorcycle of its time. Now, eight years and four generations later, the latest R1 can still justifiably claim to be one of the most outstanding high performance motorcycles of the decade.

With numerous racing victories to its credit, including the 2004 AMA Superstock Championship, European Superstock Championship and FIM World Endurance title, as well as stunning performances in the Isle of Man TT races and the All Japan Championships, the R1 has proved that it is at the top of its game.

Increased power and an even better handling chassis for 2006 mean that this legendary machine is destined to maintain its position as the most exciting, most desirable and most beautiful 1,000 cc supersport.

A masterpiece refined;

More than any other motorcycle, the R has become synonymous with awe-inspiring engine performance and remarkable handling qualities. Yet, at the same time as being one of the world's premier large-capacity supersport machines, the Yamaha R has also established a reputation for being one of the most stylish and beautifully-finished motorcycles that money can buy - in any category.

On the race track the YZF-R has been quick to make its presence felt, and in 2004 the R won three major titles - the AMA Superstock Championship, the European Superstock Championship, and the FIM World Endurance Championship.

R riders have also performed strongly in the prestigious All Japan Championships, and the R was victorious in the Isle of Man TT races on the world's toughest road circuit.

More recently the YZF-R had an impressive victory in the 2005 24-hour race of Le Mans and took its debut race win in the 2005 World Superbike Championship, underlining the machine's ability to win at the very highest level.

Chassis;

Dimensions;

Specifications are subject to change without notice, in accordance with national regulation and legislations.

* Without direct air induction