Yamaha has unveiled its YZR-M1 for the 2009 MotoGP season in a special online presentation. On-hand for the event at Yamaha-Italy HQ were riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Yamaha’s rider line-up remains unchanged of course, and the 2009 bike is pretty much indistiguishable on the outside from the 2008 variant. However, its what’s underneath that counts. According to Tech3 team manager Poncharal, “Not one part of new M1 is the same as 2008 bike”. Continue on for pictures, specifications, and unveiling video.
The new M1 may win more races, but it hasn’t done anything to patch up the relationship between Rossi and Lorenzo. The two Yamaha riders still remain fierce rivals, and for 2009 the wall that separates the factory Yamaha team will remain in place, denying each the ability to study the other’s bike setup. Rossi still cites Lorenzo as one of his chief competitors in 2009, saying, “I think that the number one rival will be Stoner. Then also Pedrosa will be very fast, and of course Lorenzo. [Lorenzo] has a year’s more experience and this year there is also the monotire, so we will start equal. He will be a very hard rival to fight.”
Technical Specifications
Engine: Liquid cooled Crossplane crankshaft inline four-cylinder, four stroke.
Power: Over 200 horsepower.
Top Speed: In excess of 199mph.
Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available.
Chassis: Aluminum twin tube delta box, multi-adjustable steering geometry/wheelbase/ride height. Aluminum swingarm.
Suspension: Ohlins upside down front forks and Ohlins rear shock, all adjustable for pre-load, high and low-speed compression and rebound damping. Alternative rear suspension links available.
Wheels: Marchesini 16.5 front, 16.5in rear, available in a variety of rim widths.
Tires: Bridgestone, 16.5 front, 16.5in rear, available as slick, intermediate, wet and hand-cut tires.
Brakes: Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs, two four-piston calipers. Single 220mm stainless steel rear disc, twin-piston caliper.
Weigh: 148kg. In accordance with FIM regulations.
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