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[[Image:Yamaha YZF R1 2001.jpg|thumb|Yamaha YZF-R1 2001]] | [[Image:Yamaha YZF R1 2001.jpg|thumb|Yamaha YZF-R1 2001]] | ||
The '''Yamaha YZF-R1''' [[motorcycle]], first built in 1998, helped initiate the litre class "handling arms race" between the Japanese [[Big Four]] motorcycle manufacturers ([[Honda]], [[Kawasaki | The '''Yamaha YZF-R1''' [[motorcycle]], first built in 1998, helped initiate the litre class "handling arms race" between the Japanese [[Big Four]] motorcycle manufacturers ([[Honda]], [[Kawasaki]], [[Suzuki]] and [[Yamaha Motor Corporation]]). When it was first introduced it was considered a groundbreaking design; a 1000 cc engine in a frame the size of a 600 cc bike. It was on par with the power output ratings of its competition but it was unique with its unprecedented agility. | ||
The key in the R1's success was the redesigned [[Genesis engine]]. In traditional [[inline-4]] motorcycle engines the crankshaft, gearbox input and output shafts were parallel in a flat plane; in the R1 the shafts formed a triangle. This made the engine very short, allowing the [[Wheel_base|Wheelbase]] to be shortened greatly, which in turn led to the exceptional handling. This bike has a compression ratio of 12.4:1.The Yamaha R1 has a transmission of 6-speed w/multi-plate clutch. | The key in the R1's success was the redesigned [[Genesis engine]]. In traditional [[inline-4]] motorcycle engines the crankshaft, gearbox input and output shafts were parallel in a flat plane; in the R1 the shafts formed a triangle. This made the engine very short, allowing the [[Wheel_base|Wheelbase]] to be shortened greatly, which in turn led to the exceptional handling. This bike has a compression ratio of 12.4:1.The Yamaha R1 has a transmission of 6-speed w/multi-plate clutch. | ||