2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 Review | Specs, Price and Pictures

Tom 2:00 PM

2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 Review | Specs, Price and Pictures - In my mind, I still have aspirations fearless on a motorcycle I did when I started up, but maybe because I'm getting older my self-preservation instinct has begun to form a bigger influence on me. Obviously, running the above scenario would be a recipe for disaster. In fact, I've done it once before.

With a strong bike on my knees, reached a maximum tilt angle and throttle greedy hands, I rotate my wrist as far as it will go, hoping to get a drive demons out of the corner to pass the person in front of me. Instead, I landed my boneheaded move right in my head. I have not repeated the move since, but the year 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1, now with traction control, gave me the feeling that maybe it's time to give another spin. And I did. So much for their self-preservation instinct.

With back-to-back American Superbike Championships, and more MotoGP-inspired than ever, the R1 is the world’s most advanced Open-class production motorcycle.

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 is unlinke anything before. Benefitting from even more MotoGP technology for 2012 with new sevel-level traction control and the World GP 50th Anniversary livery option. The World GP livery includes a 50th Anniversary emblem on top of the fuel tank and a special numbered plate showing the production number of only 2000 units that will be produced worldwide. From the track to the street, it truly is "the 1."

2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 Review | Specs

ENGINE
Type 998cc, liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 16 valves (titanium intake valves)
Bore x Stroke 78.0mm X 52.2mm
Compression Ratio 12.7:1
Fuel Delivery Fuel Injection with YCC-T and YCC-I
Ignition TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
Transmission 6-speed w/multiplate slipper clutch
Final Drive #530 O-ring chain

CHASSIS
Suspension / Front 43mm inverted fork; fully adjustable, 4.7-in travel
Suspension / Rear Single shock w/piggyback reservoir; 4-way adjustable, 4.7-in travel
Brakes / Front Dual 310mm disc; radial-mount forged 6-piston calipers
Brakes / Rear 220mm disc; single-piston caliper
Tires / Front 120/70ZR17
Tires / Rear 190/55ZR17

DIMENSIONS
Length 81.5 in
Width 28.1 in
Height 44.5 in
Seat Height 32.8 in
Wheelbase 55.7 in
Rake (Caster Angle) 24.0°
Trail 4.0 in
Fuel Capacity 4.8 gal
Fuel Economy** 33 mpg
Wet Weight*** 454 lb

OTHER
Primary Reduction Ratio 65/43 (1.512)
Secondary Reduction Ratio 47/17 (2.765)
Gear Ratio - 1st Gear 38/15 (2.533)
Gear Ratio - 2nd Gear 33/16 (2.063)
Gear Ratio - 3rd Gear 37/21 (1.762)
Gear Ratio - 4th Gear 35/23 (1.522)
Gear Ratio - 5th Gear 30/22 (1.364)
Gear Ratio - 6th Gear 33/26 (1.269)
Warranty 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 Review | Price
US MSRP* $14,490 (World GP 50th Anniversary - Pearl White/Rapid Red) Available from October 2011
$14,190 (Pearl White/Candy Red) Available from October 2011
$13,990 (Raven) Available from October 2011
$13,990 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from October 2011

2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 Review | Pictures