Track Test and Review of the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1

I recently had the opportunity the test ride and review the all new for 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 on the big track at WIllow Springs Raceway. To put it bluntly this new R1 is the best motorcycle I have ridden in 20 plus years of riding sport motorcycles. Words can’t describe how well the stock configuration on this bike works. It’s as if the throttle is hard-wired to the rear tire, providing total feedback of what the rear is doing. Under acceleration the bike is simply composed, telling the rider exactly what it wants. It reminds me of the Honda CBR1000RR in this regard.

Looking the new R1 over in person it’s certainly apparent this is an all new bike. From the swingarm to the forks, it’s all new components. The level of detail is typical Yamaha –polished.

When you fire it over for the first time there is no DOUBT this thing is new. the new cross-plane motor is a gem. Sorry to sound redundant but this thing is GOOD! It’s got a character that most 1000cc fours don’t. The motor and exhaust combine to sound like a Ducati twin mated to a Triumph triple. The styling is new and fresh but to my eye isn’t as sexy as the 04-06 models. Also the styling of the pipe setup isn’t exactly pretty, They need to be more tucked in and integrated, but hey, they sure sound nice!

Snicking it into gear from pit lane and blipping the throttle you notice how quickly the bike revs. You have to get acquainted with how crisp the fuel injection is. It’s docile as a pussycat don’t get me wrong, but very direct to your inputs.

Which is how you want it once on the track. Once at it’s pace the thing is simply planted. With the new chassis geometry it feels unflappable on corner entry. Under braking there’s very little fork dive from the front end so it allows you to carry more speed into the corner. Once heeled over and picking up the throttle the new R1 feels hard-wired to your brain. It uses it’s new found grunt to seamlessly yank you out of corners. The stock OEM tires aren’t the best choice for track duty, but even with the stockers it felt planted on corner entry, mid-corner and corner exit. Again, it does all this and more with a certain character that few sportbikes possess. Way to go Yamaha for breaking out of the box!

This years magazine shootout tests of the Honda CBR100RR, Kawasaki ZX10R, Suzuki GSXR1000K9 and 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 are going to be a blast to keep an eye on. But after having ridden each of these models I would have to say this new Yamaha YZF-R1 has them covered. While the weight is about the same as last year and the peak horsepower up but not dramatically, you would never know it by what lies between. Here we have a bike that Yamaha took risks on, taking a new path in engine layout and design. Now all I’m thinking about is how much debt I’ll be going into once I have one. I never needed that “four wheeled contraption” sitting outside anyway, hmmm.

For my other test of the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 go to: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1560692/2009_yamaha_yzfr1_a_superbike_review.html?cat=27

for my other review of the new 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 go here

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Motorcycles