Kevin_Duke

The underseat exhaust was a surprise to us, too. After being the trendy way to do it (it makes some sense with V-Twin engines), OEMs have followed Buell's lead with under-engine exhaust. Yamaha limits the potentially negative effects on weight by using titanium mufflers.

The BSB engine was outlawed, from what I understand, mostly because of potential costs. By keeping the engines as close to stock as possible, the playing field is more even.

Kevin_Duke

We rode U.S.-spec bikes. Some other journos said they didn't think top-end power was worse than last year's bike. The dyno will tell the tale.

ShamanWS6

A good friend of mine had one on order last year. I will await his comments, as his 05 R1 has gone 70K (with one Yamaha-warranteed head rebuild, mind) and looks barely any the worse for wear. He couldn't resist, even though he has repeatedly said he'd never sell his 05 (hey, he didn't trade it in last I heard).

I'll get a chance to ride it in the spring, see if it warrants a trade-in of my 750. I moved away from the big bore supersports a few years ago, but a really trick one might get me back into that fray again.

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2013 RSV4 Factory APRC SBK SE ABS
2009 GSX-R 600 (RACE #100)
2008 GSX-R 1000 (RACE #100)
2008 KX 450F
2007 Tuono 1000R
http://www.trackfanatics.ca/

MOKE1K

Do you suspect it might be an issue at track's like Daytona, and Brainerd where the straight's and or banking's are very long? Did they bring any other Brand's for compairing top speed's? If not, is that
something normally not done at these types of test?

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"YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL"

BrowningBAR

Probably not as this was only a review. You can expect the comparison in the annual Liter Bike Shootout.

MOKE1K

Homologation, same reason why the Wsbk Suzuki teams must retain the dual exhaust can's on the Suzuki's. They must stay as close to the stock configuration as possible. Which is why they also have a 10,000.00 dollar set of front forks mounted in place,... go figure?

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"YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL"

mscuddy

...I remember when tuners for flat track would alter the firing order on the 650 twin Yamaha to 270 degrees for the same reason.

Oops, Aretha Franklin is doing a 'scat' version of American the Beeyootiful right now, gotta go watch...

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Kevin_Duke

At the Daytona tire tests last fall, the new R1 was down substantially on top speeds, but those early bikes were nearly stock. If there is a place where the new R1 might struggle, it could be there, but don't count out a fully race-prepped Yamaha.

There were no other bikes to compare with the new R1 at the intro. It was just my seat-of-the-pants feeling that the bike isn't as strong up top as the feistiest literbikes. But, again, the advantages of the new motor definitely outweigh any possible shortcoming at peak power.

The_AirHawk

I.E. - in a Race, the guy that crosses the finish-line FIRST is the Winner - not the guy with the "fastest" bike................

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Oderint Dum Metuant
Let them hate so long as they fear
политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян
Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants
Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

MOKE1K

Yeah, watching ol Goergie leavin right now!

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"YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL"