Some Good points Akhil. looking forward to ur next write up and the following photos!

This is the best write-up that I've seen from you so far. Fitting first post to the new XBHP. Kind of imagined the situation. Hell it is Vegas right?

And looks are very subjective that 08 'Blade grows on people I am sure the new wierd Gixxer and R1 would too.

Yup! Guess, the year 2009 is going to be the year of 'weird' looking machines!

I just wonder about one thing - how would the 09'R1 corner, because going by the text by Rossiter and the various articles on the net, it seems the 09'R1 is touted as the 'ultimate cornering machine'. Now, that in itself is enough to book one!

@Sundar: Got that right mate

@Sunny: Thanks for the kind words Sunny.. You're right about what you said, but I don't mind either!

@Kwok: Thanks man. Will keep trying to add content as and when time permits.

@Manav: Man finally you show up.. ! The SBK area wouldn't be complete without the likes of you.

@Aryan: You're right.. the R1 is freakishly easy to handle. It sure is going to be the year of the weird looking bikes!

Let me round up the pros of the bike.

1) Significant step forward in terms of pace, and technology.
2) Has some interesting bits and trickery carried over from the M1.
3) Sounds MAGNIFICENT! Until now, you would not recognise a stock R1 from a group of SBKs based on the exhaust note. But that has changed with this R1. It's almost MT-01 like. Sounds a lot like a V-Twin in fact.
4) It has a lot more customisable components like adjustable rearsets, lot more freedom in changing the suspension.
5) A worthy response to the brilliant 08 Blade. Can't wait for a shootout. Either way, the R1 will be up there.

Cons:

1) Significant step forward in terms of pace, and technology - Just how much faster can one go really??
2) Looks may not be liked by many.

The cons are why I feel there aren't going to be too many R1 aficionados who'll trade in their current rides for an 09 R1. At least the sensible ones. Even otherwise, there is still quite a bit going for the R1 for it to do really well in the global market. And seeing as how the only real competition is the 2008 CBR (not considering the Zook which just got released), it's going to safe and future proof at least for the next year or so.

I believe Yamaha has a standing advantage here in India. They would do well to start selling the 09 ASAP.. strike while the iron is hot. The R1 has all the necessary regulatory paperwork in place, and all that needs to be done is for it to be shipped over. With the Blade around the corner, continuing to sell the 08 R1 against the Blade would be a no brainer situation as to what would happen.

As for the Kwacker, I feel sad with the Kwacker getting constantly pummeled by the others, having grown up dreaming of the green fast bikes. It really doesn't hold a candle against the other bikes. The Zook is too early to see what kind of potential it has. Time will tell

PS: Someone asked why I didn't ride the V-Max.. All I can say is I never said I didn't. Now that's another story altogether!

@rossiter-Finally you seem to get over from the shock(xBhp resurrection) and come up with a brilliant piece of write-up.Loved every bit of it.

'09 r1

Akhil,

Your writeup is very educative. Kudos and props to ya!

Jay!

Thanks MG and Jay!

Yes MG, good to be back, but still not enough time

Okay, now let's get to my favourite parts of the new R1. The new technical innovations.

1) Cross plane crankshaft: Here's a cutout of what we're talking about:



Googling "cross plane crankshaft" would get you enough info to last you an entire day. But automotive and (to an extent) mechanical engineers/nuts would add that besides the obvious smoothening out of the torque forces produced, there are a couple of other advantages as well.

a) Conservation of kinetic energy within the crank:

On the usual flat plane crank, the rotation is completely stopped twice in a revolution. When this happens, the flywheel and the crank have to kick them back the other way all together. The higher you go up the revs, more energy is spent in doing this, robbing a lot of torque and causing blips in the power output.
In the cross plane crank, two pistons are at at full motion, whereas the other two are stopped. So this reduces a lot of inertia, and optimises it at the same time.
The cross plane crank doesn't eliminate energy loss altogether, because two of the pistons still need to return, but the other two are getting the mass of the crank to do the job.

As with anything, there is a downside to such a system. Being out of symmetry, the crank, in specific the ends wobble a lot and are not in synchrony with each other. As a result, heavy counter weights need to be used to iron this out.

Don't know if the lobes are noticeable from this view:




So it's possible the engine of the R1 may be heavier than the 08 engine, but until I see specs it's hard to say.

This is actually being touted as a "from our MotoGP M1" from Yamaha, but truth is, the M1 used cross plane cranks for about half a season and then dropped it for reasons best known to them.

2) Stroke length: The stroke length is now even more shorter (by about 1.4mm), and the bore is bigger (by 1mm) than any of the contemporary R1s. If I got my engine basics right, this doesn't help the R1's cause in low-end torque when you look at what the other bikes in the litre class are putting out. Very strange.

3) Dual injectors: One main injector for the low and mid range RPMs, and the secondary injector for the high RPM running.

Suspension:

1) Separation of rebound and compression damping on the forks:

This is again a MotoGP M1 derived (specifically Ohlins) system, of having the rebound damper on one fork leg and the compression damper on the other. On paper, this makes a lot of sense because:
a) The rebound forces would not interfere with the compression forces, and vice versa.
b) Weight is saved as a result.


Now, when I rode it, I did not feel any changes even though the suspension was set up to my weight. Maybe on the track this makes a big difference. And another disclaimer is that I was getting to grips to the feel of the Pirellis, so probably didn't notice how this really changed the way it feels.

2) Hydraulic preload adjustment: This makes it a lot more easier to adjust the preload on the rears. No need of any tools or anything.

Headlights:



The twin headlights of the previous gen R1s are now gone. In comes the ram air intakes as a result It is beautifully integrated into the front but unfortunately messes up the front end for me.

Previously, the low beam would work off the inner projector lamps, and the high beam would be provided by the outer two bulbs. Now, the 09 R1 incorporates a James Bond style retractable shield, which covers the lamps when in low beam, and retracts back when in high beam. I've no idea how effective the lighting is in such a system, and it remains to be seen.

Tyres:

The 09 R1 now comes with a 190/55 standard tyre. While the 190/50 vs 190/55 debate continues, fact is that the 190/55 has a gradual lean in and is a bit more easier to turn in.

Damper: The 09 R1 now comes with electronic steering dampers, replacing the hydraulic ones on the predecessors.

Transmission:

1) The 09 R1's rear sprocket now is larger by 2 teeth. Party's on! Who needed top end speed anyway?

Console:

The 09 R1 has an all new console. It now includes a much needed gear indicator, and lovely fonts for the information display. The select and reset buttons are now big and rectangular and on the face of the console, not like the small buttons on the side of the panel as in the previous R1s.

Rider comforts:

1) Rearsets: The R1 now comes with adjustable rearsets.. a must if you do not belong to the "ideal height dimensions" that Yamaha specifies. In other words, a midget

2) Exhausts: The exhausts while remaining underseat, are now more angled away from the area where the rider sits, and therefore less uncomfortable heating issues in sensitive areas. But the pillion will not be spared. Solution: Throw away the pillion seat for a rear seat cowl

And lastly, but not the least... for long distance nuts like Ken, there's some good news! While we used 93 octane and the R1 ran fine, Yamaha recommends 95. Best part is the petrol tank is slightly bigger, by about 1.6 litres. That's a whole 10% more in range of the bike!


That rounds up the tech updates on the 09 R1. I may have missed a few things, but will add them on as and when I get time. Will write about the looks later on.

Images linked from Yamaha Motor, and mototribu.com

Phew..
And i thought they just wanted to make the '09 look shitty compared to the '08

About the crank on the current M1.. Confirmed news eh bro..?
Oh and the crank pic doesn't load bro.. Could you please give us another link...

You inspire(d) me

Wow! The R1 has been dramatically changed for the year 2009, what with such technologies abound the machine! Serious stuff, this...

This surely is a great news!

P.S: Thanks for all the information and technical know-how that you have been sharing on this thread rossiter. This has been a seriously good and knowledgeable read.

Never ever did i expect a first hand review of the 09 'One' here ! Unbelievable !
And that too in classic 'Rossiter' style !

Akhil!! man.. thank u so much for presenting us with your first hand review of the bike.. and technical specifications for the same! Thank u so much for taking out time to write a detailed write up about the bike and explain the technology incorporated and ur views about the working of these new developments on the bike.

P.S. the vmax.. well im hoping that's in the making.. after the work here is done with .

....and yes im looking forward to ur next post with more details on the bike.. as ever!

Wow... cool stuff... the '09 R1 has 'some' of the things from M1 as claimed !!

@rossiter: That was a spectacular write up Rossiter! My god,love the way you pen down your emotions.

PS: Killer profile pic

How did i miss this thread

Great write up as always bro..

PS: Didn't mention you took a ride, when we meet next time get ready to face hell