Yamaha released details and photos for their 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 yesterday; the engine isn’t changing, but some of the bike’s other parts and options are.
Perhaps the most interesting changes are new ride-by-wire options Yamaha added to their litre-bike. The new R1 will feature both traction control and an electronic engine control unit, both with MotoGP-derived technology. The bike also features variable electronic engine mapping.
The seven-level traction control monitors wheelspin, while the engine control unit can adjust throttle opening, ignition timing, and fuel injection response to adjust the power delivered to the rear wheel, theoretically making it easier to drive the R1 at low revs.
Beside the electronic changes, the bike also features some minor tweaks, such as changes to the footpegs, headlight cowling, triple clamp, and running lights. The bike is also available in a 50th anniversary paint scheme that commemorates Yamaha’s five decades in MotoGP racing.
Of course, that special paint job will cost you more, but we don’t know how much more yet; we likely won’t see pricing on the new R1 until December’s motorcycle show in Toronto; U.S. pricing is $13,990ish, plus options, so you can assume we’ll likely pay more than that. As usual.
