Yamaha’s YZF-R1 sportbike has been updated with adjustable traction control and a host of styling changes for the 2012 model year.

The core of the bike remains the same as it was when it was introduced in 2009. The liquid-cooled, 998cc inline four engine has a bore of 78.0 mm, a stroke of 52.2 mm and a crossplane crankshaft that has an uneven firing order to provide a better connection between the throttle and the rear wheel, claims Yamaha.

The cylinder head has four titanium valves per cylinder that are actuated by chain-driven double overhead camshafts. The cylinders are fed by a bank of 45mm Mikuni throttle bodies that are mated to a host of electronic systems, including Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I), or variable-length intake trumpets, and Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T), which is also called fly-by-wire throttle.

A new Engine Control Unit (ECU) not only contains revised mapping for the fuel-injection, ignition and throttle valves, but it also includes all of the programming for the new traction control system, which comes with seven settings, including Off. The new bike also retains the three-position D-Mode throttle mapping system.

The chassis of the 2012 YZF-R1 remains almost 100% identical to the existing model except for the top triple clamp, which has been restyled to resemble the top triple clamp of the YZR-M1 MotoGP racebike.

In addition to the top triple clamp, new cosmetic items on the updated machine include a “sharper” front face with narrower air intake opening and restyled LED position lamps and a new design for the muffler’s heat shields and end caps.

The 2012 Yamaha comes in three different color schemes and two different Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP). The Team Yamaha Blue/White machine costs $13,990, and the Raven (Black) and Pearl White/Candy Red machines cost $14,190. There will also be a special, limited-production World Grand Prix Racing 50th Anniversary Edition in the same red and white color scheme that adorned the MotoGP racebikes of World Champion Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies at Assen, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The special machines will have numbered plaques and 50th Anniversary emblems on the fuel tanks, gold-colored tuning forks in the Yamaha emblems and a MSRP of $14,490. Only 2000 World GP 50th Anniversary Edition YZF-R1s will be produced, and approximately 750 are slated to come to the United States.

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Less than exciting... RRW published the above but it disappeared quickly. I guess tomorrow is the official launch.

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More info...

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2 ... n-control/

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Considering Josh Hayes recently won his second AMA title on the R1 sans traction control, I have to question the value of adding it. Although none of us are nearly as talented as Josh. I do believe that the R1 has a excellent motor with the cross plane crank. I'm impressed with how well the R1 has performed in the AMA, WSBK, and BSB, when I do not believe it has quite the peak HP of the other 1,000's. I would like to see them put it on a diet though...

What's up with the R6 for 2012? Bold new graphics? Same for the CBR 600? They both seem due for a make over...