Video: 2009 Yamaha R1 tested

Michael Neeves says the new 1000cc R1 engine with crossplane crank gives the bike all the top-end rush of an inline-four, with the low down grunt of a twin.

Neevesy tested the all-new 2009 Yamaha R1 in Australia – and he was clearly impressed: “I was shaking after my first ride on the new R1, it’s so different, so exciting and so damn good”.

• Video: Rossi talks on the 2009 Yamaha R1
• Video: 2009 Yamaha R1 first impressions
• Video: 2009 Yamaha R1 onboard lap

For a full review of the new Yamaha R1, including a technical explaination of the bike’s radical new engine, pick up this week’s copy of MCN, on sale Wednesday 21 January.