Yamaha Motor Newsletter August 10, 2018 (Issue No
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Yamaha Motor Newsletter August 10, 2018 (Issue No. 66) The “Rev” in Yamaha’s Businesses Yamaha’s Flagship Superbike Twenty Years On and Only Getting Stronger The endurance-spec YZF-R1 (left) racebike that won Yamaha its first-ever fourth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours win in 2018 alongside the 1st-generation YZF-R1 that debuted in 1998 Yamaha’s YZF-R1 flagship motorcycle has continued to set trends in the 1,000cc supersport category through advanced ideas and cutting-edge technologies since its introduction in 1998. Although the bike has not been drastically changed in 2018, the now highly developed 8th-generation R1 continues to notch up wins at racetracks across the globe. In Japan and in the U.K., special events for R1 owners were held to commemorate the model’s 20th anniversary among other celebrations, and the R1’s presence only continues to grow. Alongside the likes of the YDS-1, XS-1, XJ750E (XJ650) and FZ750, the R1 is undoubtedly in contention as one of Yamaha’s legendary models. In this issue, we look at its 20 years of history and at some topics that celebrate this incredible machine. Yamaha Motor Newsletter 1 Pursuing the Essence of a machine that overturned the idea of a Supersport Motorcycle supersport bike, with the 177 kg dry weight and maximum output of 150 The joy of riding a motorcycle can PS giving it a power-to-weight ratio of take many forms, like the sense of 1.18—specs that were simply on a freedom that comes with a slow cruise different level than anything before. on the open road or the thrill and When the first YZF-R1 went on sale in exhilaration felt with hard 1998, supersport enthusiasts all over acceleration. the world were left spellbound. “The real fun of a supersport Following its launch, other machine is the pleasure a rider feels manufacturers quickly began following when actively controlling the bike and in Yamaha’s footsteps. The liter-bike aggressively navigating twisty roads,” market was suddenly bursting with said the first R1’s project leader. “You activity and in the years that followed, brake, tip the bike into a turn, find the Yamaha stayed one step ahead of the perfect line and work the throttle to competition in upping both swiftly accelerate out of the turn. performance and quality. That Performing all the various operations approach continued with the current involved to make this happen just as 8th-generation model, which was you intended is what we thought to be released as an all-new bike in 2015. the real joy of these bikes.” The aim To commemorate the 20th was to create a next-generation anniversary of the R1 in 2018, a YZF-R supersport machine and build into it Owner’s Meeting was held on June the greatest excitement possible for a 23rd in the R1’s homeland of Japan. It rider in every area, by making it the was an enjoyable day spent with R- undisputed leader when riding it, Series owners and fans, featuring a looking at it or even touching it. Thus, talk show with the developers of each the keyword for the first R1’s R1 generation, a demo lap by the development was “Excitement.” YZR-M1 MotoGP machine, a mock race But in the 1990s, the trend with with R-Series bikes and test rides. 750cc+ big-displacement supersport machines was for powerful all- rounders designed primarily for high- speed performance. Yamaha’s engineers were looking to build something that would break this trend, however. They took Yamaha’s leading liter-bike of the day, the YZF1000R Thunderace, and stripped away everything deemed unnecessary. They then measured the effects of the extensive weight reduction and ran At the commemorative event in Japan, R1 models from each epoch-making generation were on display track tests as well. with comments from the engineers that developed With that in mind, they them along with tidbits of R1 history. redesigned the chassis with the same There was also a special event for dimensions as the YZR500 factory GP R1 owners and enthusiasts in the U.K. racebike to create an all-new design. to mark the bike’s 20th anniversary at Focusing on delivering a good balance Round 6 of the British Superbike of torque and power for the engine, Championship (BSB). Held at the they chose a 1,000cc in-line four- Brands Hatch circuit between July 20 cylinder layout. The result was a and 22, activities included displays of Yamaha Motor Newsletter 2 successive World Superbike machines became a greater focus, and when and laps on the track for R1 owners. WorldSBK changed its displacement Also, the McAMS Yamaha team rode in regulations for 4-cylinder machines special commemorative red and white from 750cc to 1,000cc in 2003, it only liveried R1s that weekend, with Josh intensified the switch. When the 6th- Brookes winning both races to the generation R1 was introduced in 2009, delight of the fans. it featured a new engine with a Also held in the U.K., the crossplane crankshaft based on the Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of one employed in the title-winning the world’s biggest historic YZR-M1 MotoGP machine. With this motorsports festivals and took place new R1, Ben Spies won the WorldSBK between July 12 and 15. With more title in his first attempt, the Yamaha than 100,000 people attending, the Austria Racing Team (YART) won the 1st-generation R1, a 2018 YZF-R1M, Endurance World Championship (EWC) several race-spec R1s and Yamaha’s title and Katsuyuki Nakasuga won the autonomous motorcycle-riding All Japan Road Race Championship’s humanoid robot, MOTOBOT Ver. 2, JSB1000 title. The following year saw were all on display. Yamaha Motor the R1 claim another accomplishment Europe President Eric de Seynes, as Josh Hayes won the AMA Superbike Yamaha World Superbike stars Alex title to cap off a fantastic introduction Lowes and Michael van der Mark, and of the 6th-generation YZF-R1. WorldSBK legend Noriyuki Haga—he In 2015, the 8th-generation R1 began riding an R1 in the series from was launched, equipped with the first 2005—all rode up the hill for the 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit thousands of visitors in attendance. (IMU) on a production motorcycle. The past, present and future of The all-new R1 was dominant that Yamaha were all on display. year as Cameron Beaubier won the inaugural MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, Josh Brookes won the British Superbike Championship and Katsuyuki Nakasuga won the All Japan JSB1000 title again, not to mention the Yamaha Factory Racing Team clinching Yamaha’s fifth Suzuka 8 Hours victory aboard it. For 2018, Yamaha designed a special 20th anniversary livery for the bike featuring the iconic colors and At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Yamaha Motor Europe President Eric de Seynes (right) rode the logos from the 1st-generation R1. At 1st-gen R1 and Yamaha BSB rider Josh Brookes the Suzuka 8 Hours, the final round of rode the 8th-gen R1 in Suzuka 8 Hours colors. the EWC, the Yamaha Factory Racing Team, GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC The Results of Enhancing Team and YART Yamaha Official EWC Racetrack Performance Team all entered R1s sporting the commemorative livery, and Yamaha The YZF-R1 was originally developed took an unprecedented fourth with a strong emphasis on consecutive victory to celebrate the performance for strafing twisty roads, bike’s 20th year. but as it evolved over the years, the But it was no easy feat. On July direction of development shifted. 29th, the day of the race, the Racetrack performance gradually remnants of Typhoon Jongdari that Yamaha Motor Newsletter 3 had passed over through the night and released a model for the 1st- before ensured that the race started generation YZF-R1, and it was on under rainy skies. Thanks to the display alongside the upcoming R1M weather throwing curve balls with model and both actual machines at an sudden showers during the race, the event at a Tokyo department store. track conditions varied wildly This naturally generated a good deal throughout, which made for a of excitement among modelling fans sometimes-chaotic race over the eight at the event. hours. However, such models need something extra to ensure they delight the most dedicated of enthusiasts. With the R1’s 20th anniversary approaching, a group of Yamaha employees with a passion for modelling got together to create a scale replica of the YZF-R1 that got Yamaha its third consecutive Suzuka win in 2017. The final product was unquestionably authentic. Fully employing Yamaha’s in- Commemorative colors adorned the R1s for the YART Yamaha Official EWC Team (left), the Yamaha house network, they took the same Factory Racing Team (center) and the GMT94 design data used to build the R1 and Yamaha Official EWC Team (right) at the 2018 Suzuka 8 Hours. converted it into 1:6 scale 3D data. From there, over 500 individual resin, The Yamaha Factory Racing Team acrylic and metal parts were produced started from 3rd on the grid and with 3D printers and precision- quickly broke away from pursuers at machined. Detailed down to the level the start before engaging in a scrap of individual bolts, the model is also for the lead. As rival teams gradually equipped with LED lights fitted by a began to fall behind due to different professional electrician. The graphics pit stop timing, on-track accidents and for its decals were also created from average laptimes, Michael van der the original 3D data, making this a Mark and Alex Lowes set a fast but minutely-detailed and faithful scale steady pace.