Yamaha YZF 1000 R1-SP
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For 2006, the swingarm was extended by 20 millimetres (0.79 in) to reduce acceleration instability. In this year, Yamaha also released a limited edition version in original Yamaha racing colors to celebrates its 50th anniversary. The model (LE/SP) featured a Kenny Roberts replica paint pattern with yellow and black paint, and front and rear custom ?hlins suspension units developed by the same team as the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. Custom forged aluminum Marchesini wheels specifically designed for the LE shaved nearly a pound off the unsprung weight. A back torque-limiting slipper clutch, and an integrated lap timer rounded out the package, making the LE virtually a production racer. Only 500 units were made for the United States. Yamaha's R1 has been tweaked and massaged for 2006 to produce a claimed 2.2kW more power at 12 500rpm. To give you an idea of the detail work this involves, the intake valve guides have been shortened by 5mm to 27.5mm. The cam chain tensioner has been revised and the clutch boss modified for better oil flow to the clutch assembly. The front suspension has been modified to suit the revised weight bias, including a new lower triple clamp. The rear engine mounts have also been revised and the swing-arm pivot has been moved to optimise the effect of its increased length on the handling – but that's not the big news. The big news is that for the first time on a Japanese litre-class sports bike Yamaha has seen fit to build, alongside the standard model, a limited-edition "SP" (sport performance) version dripping with the special components American journalists used to call unobtanium because you just couldn't get them in the US. . In this case only 500 R1 SPs will be produced to legalise its special suspension, wheels and slipper clutch for World Superbike competiton use. Apart from the special clutch, the engine is standard but the running gear is really special, based on world-class components from Swedish suspension specialist ?hlins, carefully set up to match the R1's chassis characteristics and tuneable through a wider range of adjustment than the unit on the "ordinary" version – believe me, there's nothing ordinary about any R1! The 43mm ?hlins upside-down forks have a TiN coating on the chrome sliders to minimise stiction while the outer tubes are also anodised gold. They're adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping through a greater range of parameters than the "standard" units. Features 43mm Ohlins custom-valved fully adjustable inverted fork with 2-way compression damping adjustments Ohlins custom-valved fully adjustable rear shock with hydraulic preload adjuster and 2 -way compression damping adjustment. Gold Marchesini forged aluminum wheels Adjustable rear suspension bottom link (ride height adjuster) Pirelli Diablo Corsa radial tires Starter button doubles as lap timer control Special Euro inspired metallic black and dark blue paint scheme |