What’s the score with the new Yamaha R1 engine?

The big news with the 2009 Yamaha R1 engine is the cross plane crank engine. Power has got to fantastic levels with all the 1000cc superbikes, so the Yamaha boffins have decided to approach the way the new R1 transmits the power to the rear wheel.

With a conventional inline four cylinder engine the power (or torque) is developed in pulses due to the firing order making the crank speed up and slow down as it revolves. The new cross plane crank design has three of the crank journals moved to differ the time they fire. Along with an irregular firing order this means the crank revolves in a more constant speed,  transmitting the torque to the rear wheel in a more linear fashion.

What they have tried to achieve is an engine that delivers what you the rider are asking it to deliver, amazingly smooth and rapid acceleration due to the short stroke, quick revving motor, and fantastic drive out of corners due to the progressiveness of the power delivery. To understand further watch the video- it helped me understand it…

Matt Hull