Valentino Rossi rides the 2009 Yamaha R1

Despite its awkward looks, we’re still intrigued by the 2009 Yamaha R1. Why? Its M1-like long bang firing order. The idea came from Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP bike, which had trouble putting down its big, inline-four power. The solution? A spaced-out firing order that delivers one long power pulse, followed by a gap in which the tire can regain traction, then two smaller power pulses. Fitting the R1 with a crossplane crankshaft is one of the clearest examples of trickle-down racing technology reaching road bikes, so it makes sense that Rossi is pimping the R1 in Yamaha’s new commercial. >

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