Yamaha R6 & Yamaha R1 to Get Three-Cylinder Motors?

Debuting a “crossplane” three-cylinder engine at the INTERMOT show, Yamaha has gotten the word out that it intends on making more inspiring motorcycles, and part of that plan includes the use of triples in its upcoming bikes. Knowing that at least one, if not several future Yamahas will use the hinted-at three-cylinder lump, the Brits over at Visordown have gotten word from their sources within Yamaha Japan that in the coming future, the Yamaha YZF-R6 & Yamaha YZF-R1 will be two of the bikes to receive such modifications.

Expected to come in 675cc and 1,100cc, the Yamaha R6 & Yamaha R1, respectively, would be a stark contrast the bevy of inline-four machines that dominate supersport and superbike racing. While many supersport rules already accommodate a 675cc triple (thank you Triumph), Yamaha is said to be lobbying World Superbike for a 1,100cc displacement dispensation for three-cylinder engines in premier production racing class. Under current rules, a triple would have to be 1,000cc, just like the four-cylinder machines.

Saying its three-cylinder motor has a “crossplane” configuration, details are virtually non-existent at what Yamaha means by its “crossplane” statement. One theory is that the pistons fire 120° apart from each other, while other theories suggest that a 90° crankshaft configuration has been maintained, as on the current Yamaha YZF-R1, with a counterbalance used for the “missing” cylinder in that design.

However Yamaha plans on implementing its engine and bike design, does the thought of a three-cylinder Yamaha YZF-R1 excite you? If so, Yamaha may be onto something here.