Traveled: Yamaha YZF-R1 - Japanese Ducati

From Automagazina 06/2013.

text: Matevž Hribar, photo: Bridgestone, Yamaha, Matevž Hribar

Years ago I heard in motorcycling circles that Erenka was a Japanese Ducati, but I disagreed with that statement. An Italian is just an Italian with his bright and quirky sides of the coin.

But!

YZF-R1, as you can see, is no longer in its “dewy” years. Whether it has a "big bang" engine or not, we guessed when going from 2008 to 2009, so four years counts as the generation that was refreshed last year. The main new feature is a six-speed adjustable and switchable rear tire skid system during acceleration, which Yamaha calls TCS (Traction control system). In addition, they changed the settings of the main control unit (ECU), which coordinates the driver's right commands with fuel injection and ignition.

Yamaha claims bigger engine more responsive in the lower rev range, which was, if memory serves, already a bright spot of the R1 model of the first series. In our tests in Portimão, we were even more fortunate that the bike was equipped with an exhaust system from Mali Hude near Ivančna Goriz, which reduces a rather noticeable hole in the area on the torque graph. from 5.000 to 7.000 rpm and adds noble depth to the already phenomenal sound of Yamaha's unique engine.

This is due to the displacement of the layout of the main shaft. sound at idle, it resembles a two-cylinder, at medium speeds it resembles a three-cylinder, and only in the upper speed range makes a sound that can be attributed to four cylinders arranged in a row. The way power is delivered to the rear wheel along with the sound track is really something special for this R1 and so while the bike is neither the lightest, most powerful nor the most modern bike in its class, it is worth it. sin. Responsive, stable, mounted on a good suspension and equipped with brakes, as expected.

The claim that the YZF-R1 is an interesting combination of (say, Italian) character and Japanese quality is very appropriate. Does Panigale have a XNUMX-year warranty?