You might not yet know what a cross-plane crankshaft is, but you will. It's a link to Valentino Rossi's MotoGP bike, and it's the biggest advancement in literbike engine design in years.
This new crankshaft arrangement is part of Yamaha's latest YZF-R1, a literbike we tested last week at the Eastern Creek circuit in Australia, and it’s a design not seen in any previous production motorcycle.
The 998cc engine's distinct sound is the obvious clue that it’s something special - it's akin to a V-Four with a deep, purposeful note that seems a little bit angry. But it's in the way the motor generates power that sets it apart from its competition. Gone is the peaky powerband of the previous motor, and in its place is the most tractable four-cylinder literbike yet built.
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2009 Yamaha R1 Review on Motorcycle.com
2009 Yamaha R1 Review
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