motowebmaster

Last Saturday was another unpredictable weather-challenged day, but I stopped by the local Yamaha Dealer and they wheeled a black 09 R1 out in the Front for me so that we could start it up and do some minor revs.

It's Engine exhibits the typical inline four sound, but even with the stock exhaust it's got soul. I'd have to verify, but it seemed more responsive than the CBR1000.

Yamaha's decision to push their MotoGP Technology to the consumer market may not make much difference in today's economy, but I was impressed. The bike wasn't overly aggressive, but still wondered what it would actually feel like on the road.

Took down it's serial number for an insurance quote, anyone want to guess what it will be for full coverage on something with an abundance of crazy power?

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Shawn
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Speedtrip

The new R1 is the most technically advanced mass produced bike you can get now (Some Ducati peeps may disagree). There is a ton of Moto GP trickle down bits though. The biggest difference in it and other inline fours is the cross plane crank. Instead of firing two pistons at a time you have four evenly spaced pistons firing every 90° this gives it a distinct sound. The theory is that this firing order will give better rear wheel grip because there is no pause in power delivery.

Thats not even getting into throttle by wire and variable length intakes. These bikes are something else and I am dying to test ride one.

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-Shaun-

motowebmaster

I'm curious as to what the bike will be like to ride in our hills.

Some of the younger crowd over-compensate on 600cc/750cc Japanese bikes around here and get into trouble. A wound-up bike at 10k RPMs isn't always the easiest bike to control, but one can take a Busa and have an enjoyable time (if they don't too punchy).

My 955i Daytona bikes were good machines, but my older Daytona900 pulled like a tractor. As long as I kept in control of it's weight the ride was a blast.

1000cc Japanese Bikes are a pain to insure, even at my age, but I wonder if the new R1 is going to be rated the same. My brother gets full coverage on his K1200S for a pittance because it is rarely sold/crashed by the younger crowd. If the new R1 is becoming too MotoGP inspired for the mainstream, maybe I'll get a break on insurance

Speedtrip

The insurance won't be cheap. My ins company wants $1200 a year for full coverage for my bike, would hate to ask about an R1.