| Author | Message | ||
     Redbuelljunkie |
Finally! Japan has made an inline-4 sport bike that I actually want to own. I have wished for a couple of years for Yamaha to put the M1's "big bang" engine in a street bike- and now the dream has come true. My biggest question now is whether to use the XB12R as a dedicated track bike and have the R1 for the street, or the other way around. Decisions, decisions. The best part of all... working for a Yamaha dealer ensures that I'll get a damn good deal on this bike. Now, do I like the black, or maybe the white/red- it matches my leathers nicely.  Check it out at http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/msite/micro_v1.aspx | ||
| Mr2shim |
You have that the wrong way around. XB = street R1 = track | ||
| New12r |
In my honest opinion, the R1 is just too much bike for street duty, you will never even get to use 25% of its potential but on a RARE occasion. The couple I have seat time in were ridiculous, and I never even left second gear in the hills. My vote would be for the track only. | ||
| Glitch |
Well since the Buell is engineered for the street, and the R1 for the track... | ||
| Northernyankee |
The M1 engine isn't a "Big Bang" engine. From the MotorcycleDaily article Do you think Valentino Rossi rides a "big bang" engine? He does not. The Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike has a crank that places each connecting rod 90 degrees from the next (firing at 270°, 180°, 90° and 180°). This virtually eliminates inertial crankshaft torque, which aides both power delivery and traction. Yamaha claims the new R1 combines "the low-rpm torquey feel of a twin with the raw, high-rpm power of an inline 4." | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Well, it depends upon your definition of "Big Bang". Yamaha and Kawasaki both developed "Big Bang" or "Long Bang" Moto-GP engines, which had inline-4's with non-traditional firing order. The goal was to get the power down like a twin, with the top end of a four. The new R1 has the firing order of the M1, and Yamaha calls it "Big Bang". So, by their definition, the '09 R1 has the "Big Bang" engine: "It’s all about power – delivery of power, to be exact. That’s because the all-new R1 is the world’s first production motorcycle with a crossplane crankshaft. Originally pioneered in MotoGP racing with the M1, crossplane technology puts each crank pin 90 degrees from the next, with an uneven firing interval of 270-180-90-180 degrees. The result is incredibly smooth, roll-on power delivery with outrageous amounts of torque for a rush like you’ve never experienced before. The unique shape of the crossplane crank smoothes out fluctuations in inertial crankshaft torque to provide very linear power delivery as the engine’s combustion torque builds, giving the rider more linear throttle response with awesome power and traction exiting corners. Not just new, the R1’s new crossplane crank engine represents a complete paradigm shift." What's your definition of "Big Bang"? | ||
| 2stangbk |
Its funny this came up! I was watching a friend of mine patiently wait for the 3 pm internet release of the new model year pics and info. Nice lookin bike to me, definately a haul ass track bike! (Message edited by 2StangBK on September 08, 2008) | ||
| Simmadown |
Sexy, but my wrist could never take it. | ||
| 4cammer |
That front end looks a bit like my Firebolt...... | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Yeah, I've been lurking on the R1 sites, and it's pretty much 7 out of 10 think the '09 is the ugliest R1 ever made. They specifically hate the "ZX-10" exhaust, the "CBR1000RR" fairing, and the "Buell" headlights. I find it extremely ironic that I like the bike that the faithful are bemoaning as "horrible". They are, however, interested in the performance of the engine. They too are arguing over the "Big Bang" moniker. It's true that it does not have "two up, two down" firing order- which is what the purists are insisting is the technically correct description of "Big Bang". I'm going to side with the term "Long Bang" (which I've always preferred) due to the changed lengths between firing pulses. I got a real kick out of how much the current owners hate the new styling... it's very similar to my reaction to the 1125R. Some of us can be so harsh. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
it does kinda have firebolt simularitys in the front end | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
You mean these?...  No wonder I like the styling- it'll match my XB. | ||
| Glitch |
Some of us can be so harsh. BULLSHIT! You maybe, but we're very gentle minded. I can't believe someone with just over 100 posts could say such a unintelligent remark! You sir are an idiot! Harsh, how dare you!  | ||
| Teddagreek |
Very Nice Bike... I was on a group ride a year ago and a dude had a newer R1, insanely fast especially in the straights.  Hope you got some self control, Dude had 3 tickets in the six months he owned the bike.. Looks like its around 50LBS heavier than 2008? | ||
| Oddball |
I thought it looked XBR like as well. They just shifted the ram air intakes. One thing that was pointed out on Superbike Planet was the no vented fairing. Wonder where that radiator air is flowing? Could be a hot seat on the 'ol R1 tonight? Have to watch the Yam boards to see if that ends up a problem for them as well. http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Sep/080908yron elv.htm http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Sep/080908yron epr.htm Even the fz6r is improved with an underslung exhaust. http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Sep/080908fz6r .htm | ||
| Retrittion |
"looked" XBR like? Looks to me like R1 riders are about to feel my headlight pains!  Actually, if they were interchangeable parts that would rock -- 'cause Yami tends to put out good headlights and then I could get a pair. I'll keep my XB though -- wouldn't say no to it as a track-specific bike though, though I still (perversely) want a Trimph 675 more. Yeah, I'm a nutter, I know... Nice looking pic though, thanks for sharing! | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
It'd be nice if they did interchange- the Yamaha design has both high beams on at all times, and there's internal "eyelids" that partially close (a la camera aperture) to reduce the brightness to low beam levels. If there was a way to make them work, I have them on the XB in a heartbeat. I've never understood why many manufacturers insist on the "one hi, one low" design- there's less visibility and it looks strange. Yamaha got it right here. | ||
| Boltrider |
Those R1's are something else. A guy I work with let me ride his. It's the fastest thing I've ever been on/in besides an airplane. | ||
| Oddball |
Well, get adapting. Figure changing connectors, fabricating mounts or adapting ones. I'd also compare it's power draw compared to your stock xb lights. Would definitely be an improvement. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Somebody visted the HD museum. If you look at the original XBr renderings they have on display, you're looking at the front half of the R1 | ||
| Xbgeorge |
I like the front, but the back is ugly and fat. Looks like they have too much stuff shoved in their rear. Yeah, I said it. (Message edited by xbgeorge on September 10, 2008) | ||
| Ustorque |
flame me if you want.....but every time i see a repli-racer i realize how sexy the XB really is. then again you can't flame me.....you know it's true!  | ||
| Schmitty |
$12,390  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure hope you're getting a good deal! Schmitty | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Cost plus two percent... I can live with that. Additionally, parts and service are at cost, so it helps off-set the fact that I'll be having valve adjustments. Gotta love an XB's simplicity. Of course, the BMW S1000R should be in showrooms soon... that's another temptress singing her Siren Song. | ||
| Point_doc |
Is the R1 compared to Italian bikes cheaper to maintain? I have a list of my next bike and have deliberately left rice rockets out until this new R1. The list consists of: 1-Mv Agusta 2-Aprilia 3-Ducati 4-Yamaha 2009 R1, just added. | ||
| Retrittion |
LOL -- yes, Japanese are cheaper than Italian. Heck, EVERYTHING is cheaper than Italian. The only one I would go for on your list is the Ducati -- but only for the 749, in yellow, with a white racing stripe...to sit in the garage and look good until I can do all the maintenance myself. Here's my list of manufacturers that make bikes for riders (not track-side mechanic filled garages or museums): Buell Triumph KTM Suzuki (SV1000S specifically) CanAm (Come on, you know you want that Spyder!) oh, ok -- H-D too...friggen mothership. Don't like many but they still pop out a few that are very nice rides! | ||
| Point_doc |
It's a given that Italian products cost more, "you get what you pay for". The majority of Italian vehicles have been able to with consistency provide a product that has successfully combined form and function; they produce vehicles that are fast and sexy. It is also a given that Japanese imports are less expensive to maintain, with this said the new R1 may have a different maintenance protocol and this was my concern. I was hopeful that someone who had access to this info like Redbuelljunkie would have posted an answer. (Message edited by point_doc on September 11, 2008) | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
There should be no difference in maintenance schedule for the new R1. Being XB owners, we are in a very lucky (and small) group because we ride a sport bike that does not require valve adjustments. All other sport bikes that I've owned required valve adjustments ranging from every 6,000 miles to every 12,000 miles. Since I average about 15,000 miles a year, maintenance costs can add up quickly. Here's some of the yearly scheduled maintenance costs for sport bikes I've owned (approx $): Buell- $500 Ducati (2 valve)- $700 T595 (Speed Triple)- $750 Yamaha FZR600- $750 SV1000- $800 T675- $850 BMW R1200S- $1,400 As you can see, the XB is by far the most economical bike to maintain. The new R1 should fall somewhere in the category of $700-800 yearly (3,000 mile oil change interval and one valve adjustment). If the new BMW S1000R is not at least half the cost of the R1200S to maintain, I would not consider one (but according to BMW's press releases it should be comparable to the Japanese offerings- we'll see). (Message edited by redbuelljunkie on September 11, 2008) | ||
| Point_doc |
Thank you... | ||
| Ducbsa |
"off-set the fact that I'll be having valve adjustments" You can adjust valves? | ||
| Xb984r |
Yamahas were 24,000 between valve adjustments.Not sure about the 2009. | ||
| Packrat |
What happened to the "XB Board" ???? Did it get moved  | ||
| Akroedge540 |
I want the new R1, end of story |
