Yamaha vmax Concept at Tokyo

The ’09 VMax is an entirely new motorcycle from the ground up. The bullseye of the bike remains the massive V-4 engine (a stressed member of the chassis), amusingly described by Star as “compact.” Now arrayed at a 65-degree ‘vee’ and displacing 1679cc, the liquid cooled powerplant sports 4-valves per cylinder a hybrid chain and gear cam drive and pumps out a claimed 197.4 horsepower (at the crankshaft) with 123 lb-ft of torque. Taking technology directly from the Yamaha YZF-R1 sportbike, Max has fly-by-wire throttle control (“Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle”) and variable intake tract length (“Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake”) by way of a servomotor that moves the intake funnels for better acceleration at all speeds. Max now has EFI and a hydraulic slipper clutch to make downshifting smoother. Air enters through the can’t-miss-’em aluminum intakes and exits through a four-into-one-into-two-into-four exhaust system with twinned pairs of mufflers on each side. The exhaust also has EXUP (Exhaust Ultimate Power valve), a proven Yamaha technology that helps keep the powerband smooth at all rpms. Because the EPA is always watching, there are catalytic converters stuffed up into the cans as well.

Yamaha V Max 2009

The chassis is now a twin-spar aluminum frame and swingarm for weight savings, and consists of cast, die-cast and extruded sections. The bike still has that secret underseat fuel tank, which now holds a whopping 4.0 gallons. Beefy titanium-oxide coated 52mm forks hold up the front end with a remote reservoir, single shock in the back. The suspension, front and rear, is fully adjustable for rebound and compression damping, and spring preload, with a remote preload adjuster on the shock (so adjusting for a passenger doesn’t require tools or getting dirty). The front brakes are a far cry from the primitive binders of ’85, now featuring a linear controlled three position ABS system with Brembo radial master cylinders, 320mm wave-type rotors and 6-piston calipers. The rear also sports a Brembo master cylinder, 298mm wave-type rotor and single-piston caliper. The gauges are also very trick. First, mounted in the center of the handlebars, is a digital speedometer, LED indicators and analog tach with an LED shift light, just like on a dragracer. Atop the tank lives an “Organic Electro Luminescence” display that can show a clock, fuel meter, trip meter, gear position, coolant temperature and more. It’s designed to be simpler, brighter and much easier to read than LCDs and comes with a countdown clock and a stopwatch too – presumably so you can time those stoplight to stoplight drags/sprints.

Yamaha VMAX 2009

The 2009 Yamaha VMAX worths $ 18,000, with a limited production – only 2500 units are coming to the U.S. You’ll have to preorder this bike at your dealer and leave a $1000 deposit, so better move fast.

ALL NEW FOR 2009  -  RZF-R1

Introducing the 2009 YZF-R1, the first ever production motorcycle with a crossplane crankshaft. Crossplane technology, first pioneered in MotoGP racing with the M1, puts each connecting rod 90° from the next, with an uneven firing interval of 270°- 180°- 90°- 180°. This all but eliminates undesirable inertial crankshaft torque, which allows the engine’s compression torque to build smoothly and provide a very linear power delivery out of the corners. It’s a feeling that’s simply unmatched, like having two engines in one: the low-rpm torquey feel of a twin with the raw, high-rpm power of an inline 4. In fact, the new YZF-R1 is not a continuation of existing supersport development; it is breakthrough technology that represents a paradigm shift in both technology and performance.

This next-generation R1 keeps all the technological superiorities developed for its predecessor: YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) is MotoGP inspired fly-by-wire technology used to deliver instant throttle response. YCC-I is Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake which is a variable intake system that broadens the spread of power. The fuel injection system provides optimum air/fuel mixtures for maximum power and smooth throttle response.

R1 features Yamaha D-MODE (or drive mode) with rider-selectable throttle control maps to program YCC-T performance characteristics for riding conditions. The standard map is designed for optimum overall performance. The “A” mode lets the rider enjoy sportier engine response in the low- to mid-speed range, and the “B” mode offers response that is somewhat less sharp response for riding situations that require especially sensitive throttle operation. Switching maps is as easy as pushing a button on the handlebar switch.

In keeping with this machine’s exceptional cornering ability and crisp handling, the all new aluminum frame has been designed to offer exceptional rigidity balance. The rear frame is now lightweight CF die-cast magnesium, contributing the optimum mass centralization. Suspension includes new SOQI front forks which use one of the tricks developed for our winning MotoGP bikes: independent damping. The left fork handles compression damping and the right side handles the rebound damping. And the rear shock adopts new bottom linkage for optimum suspension characteristics. Want even more? For the first time, R1 comes standard with an electronic steering damper.

All new bodywork does more than add break-away-from-the- crowd styling. Completely new, the new model has a more serious, less busy look. The side fairing is smoother for a sleeker appearance. And, instead of the usual four bulb headlight design, the ’09 model now has only two projector-type bulbs mounted closer to the nose of the bike. This positions ram air ducts closer in for a more compact, smooth look. In addition, the rounded lenses are new and unique to the supersport industry

Yamaha has given the new 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6, the motorcycle looking pretty similar to the current Yamaha R6, it gets a new frame and swingarm, reworked 599cc engine, new slipper clutch, improved front brakes and more aerodynamic bodywork.

Yamaha is claiming that:

Q 2008 Yamaha R6 the most advanced production 600 class motorcycle

Q The engine has titanium valves

Q Increased compression ratio from 12.8:1 to 13.1:1 for improved response.

Q It also gets new domed pistons with valve cutouts to produce a more compact combustion chamber.

Other engine enhancements have centred around reducing the amount of internal friction with a claimed 50 changes inside the motor like:

Q Wider crank bearings.

Q The twin-injection system has been remapped to suit the higher compression ratio

Q Reduced engine braking

Q A redesigned airbox

Q A new-shape rear exhaust silencer.

Yamaha has become the first manufacturer to introduce a magnesium alloy subframe with the aim of taking weight off the back of the motorcycle to improve the mass centralisation of the motorcycle. The firm says it saves 450g over the previous aluminium alloy subframe.

For 2008 the thickness of the twin 310mm diameter front discs has been increased from 4.5mm to 5.0mm, a change which improves the heat dissipation qualities during extended use.

It is quite impressive (by the speed and power) that Yamaha has wrangled from its middleweight racer, which makes up more than half its total sports bike sales.

Price Range:

MSRP* $9,799 (Cadmium Yellow w/Flames) Available from December 2007 $9,599 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from November 2007 $9,599 (Raven) Available from November 2007 $9,599 (Liquid Silver) Available from November 2007