The 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 - What's New?
2015 gives us the new Yamaha YZF-R1, but what is it all about – what is new and what changed? Probably one of the first things that you notice while looking at the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 is that it comes with all-new 10-spoke magnesium-alloy wheels, which are almost 1 kilogram (540 grams front and 340 grams rear) lighter compared to the wheels on the previous R1. The lighter wheels will reduce inertial moment and aiding acceleration and turn-in.When we look at the wheels up-close we can also see that Yamaha uses four piston monoblock calipers, biting into 320mm discs, what is actually not that exciting. But for 2015 Yamaha uses for the first time ABS and Unified Brake System (Yamaha linked brake system) for the YZF-R1. The whole brake system is controlled electronically through the figures pumped out of the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), although doesn't work if you're only use the rear brake...
The 2015 YZF-R1 engine got most of the changes, but the Yamaha YZF-R1 keeps the crossplane concept. In the previous crossplane firing setup the engine didn't produce any more power than a conventional firing model, but that's all changed now. The engine is now equipped with a new shorter (36mm) and lighter crankshaft, keeping the uneven firing order and plumping up low and mid-range grunt. A balancer is used down the length of the crank but thinner, whose weight are close to the outer cylinders. Bore and stroke has also changed from 78 x 52.2mm to the new 79 x 50.9mm. The new pistons are made from forged aluminum-alloy with DLC coated rings and the conrods are made from titanium, this all gives a weight saving of 40 percent compared to the previous model.
For the clutch Yamaha talks about an assist and slipper clutch, and the clutch assembly is nearly 20 percent lighter than before, as well as being smaller. It acts as an assist on the way up and a slipper on the way down the gears.
Yamaha also loose 1.5 kilograms by replacing the steel fuel tank with an aluminum-alloy version, which can hold up to 17 liters of fuel, as well as neat sculpting to accommodate your knees.
The front of the new 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 is 8 percent sleeker than the previous model, which helps in part by the use of LED headlights and position lights. They are also placed lower and closer to the motorcycle to improve weight distribution according to Yamaha.
Yamaha still uses the Deltabox name to describe the chassis, but the new frame is now a gravity cast unit that uses the engine as a stressed member. The sub-frame also made way for a new magnesium made version. The rear swingarm is now a gravity cast, forged and made by two-piece components and is 15mm shorter. The overall wheelbase of the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 is 10mm shorter than before at 1405mm.
Almost 2 years ago we reported that Yamaha teamed up with Kayaba, and we can see the result with the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 the suspension is provided by Kayaba, with 43mm upside down forks at the front offering 120mm of travel. The rear suspension is a monoshock which is fully adjustable.
