Video: Ben Spies & The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1

New price	£13,899

MCN overall verdict 

Not much has changed with the 2012 R1, but the big news is it now has a six-stage traction control system, incorporating anti-wheelie in its two most intrusive levels. It also has a restyled nose, a slotted YZR-M1-style top yoke and a longer, softer rear shock. The changes aren’t enough to compete with the new-generation of hardcore superbikes, like the BMW S1000RR, Aprilia RSV4 and Kawasaki ZX-10R on-track, but the Yamaha is arguably a better road bike. It’s smooth, grunty, fast, roomy and comfortable and now has the added safety of traction control, which works superbly. It’s expensive, which is why we’ve downgraded it down from five, to four stars.

From : http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/2012-yamaha-yzf-r1-ben-spies-video/

Engine

MCN rating
Owners' rating

With its crossplane crank and irregular firing order layout, the 

998cc inline-four-cylinder engine is almost vibe-free, despite its rumbling exhaust note, has the linear power delivery of an electric motor, the grunt of a V-twin and the free-wheeling engine braking of a two-stroke. It’s a riot of contradictions and it seems you either gel with it or you don’t. It doesn’t have masses of power at high rpm and its speed comes from its acceleration out of corners and the ease in which you can get on the throttle, even on full-lean. Try and rev the R1 like a conventional inline four and it feels painfully slow. In most occasions you need to ride a gear higher than you think and use the engine’s low-down power to go fast. In saying that, it has a very tall first gear, so you can use the bottom gear more than you would normally.

From : http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/Yamaha-R1-2012-current/

Specifications

Top speed	185 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	10.45 secs
Max power	157.75 bhp
Max torque	78.33 ft-lb
Weight	206 kg
Seat height	835 mm
Fuel capacity	18 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	17 of 17

Engine size	998 cc
Engine specification	16v, inline-four-cylinder
Frame	Twin spar aluminium frame and double-sided aluminium swingarm.
Front suspension adjustment	Fully-adjustable 43mm upside down forks
Rear suspension adjustment	Single shock, fully-adjustable
Front brakes	2 x 310mm discs with six-piston calipers
Rear brake	220mm single disc with single-piston caliper
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	190/55 x 17