Motorcycle specifications YamahaYZR-M1 2018 Back to top

yamahapresented its 2018 YZR-M1 in Madrid on January 24, 2018.

The new iteration of Yam''s prototype is on a mission to bring the Iwata-based manufacturer back to the forefront of the MotoGP World Championship. Of course, Yamaha are still in the mix. But after a difficult year for the official riders, it's more important than ever for the blues to come back with a machine ready to win. And right from the first race. In 2017, the two official riders Maverick Vinales #25 and Valentino Rossi #46 finished 3rd and 5th respectively, with a combined total of 4 wins. This was the worst result for the brand with the three tuning forks since 2007. The 2017 Yamaha M1 was far less homogeneous than usual, giving a false impression at the start of the season before becoming a real headache for riders and engineers alike. Especially since, on the track, the two men often felt threatened by French rookie Johann Zarco, immediately at ease and competitive on the Yamaha M1...2016!

Gone, then, was the 2017 M1 with its inextricable chassis. The team presents a 2018 model derived from the 2016 machine. A return to the tried-and-tested base that Sir Rossi had been calling for. And although the version presented is likely to evolve over the coming pre-season tests, we can nevertheless make a number of observations.

Starting with the bike's color scheme (the famous livery). Despite the rumours, there were no surprises this year. Very similar to the 2017 version with its deep blue, we nevertheless immediately notice THE big novelty of this 2018 M1. Wahouuuuu! The Movistar logo changes from green to white. As for the rest, there's nothing really special: all the sponsors remain the same, and all we can see is that the piping on the front has changed from white to dark grey.

It's also worth noting that the version presented here is very sober when it comes to aerodynamics. No interior fins or whiskers on the horizon. But we can be sure that these will appear periodically during the various tests... Nor will we tire of contemplating the magnificent swingarm, machined to accommodate the exhaust system, a solution adopted in 2015 and still in use on this new M1.

On the technical side, the M1 still features its famous 1000 cm3 engine with cross-plane technology. First introduced on this same M1 in 2004, this technology is based on cross-plane crankshaft timing, with the crankpins positioned at 90° to each other (as opposed to the traditional 180°). The ignition sequence is also asynchronous, which has the virtue of making the 4-cylinder fuller at low and mid-range speeds, more torquey and easier to operate. A V4-like character, in fact. Widely tried and tested, this 'made in Yamaha' technology, also nicknamed 'Big Bang', has since found its way to the general public with the grafting of it onto R1s from 2009. Much to the delight of its users.

More than 240 horsepower. But such an outpouring of power is nothing without a chassis to harness it. And it's on this parameter, as well as on the electronics, that Iwata's engineers worked extensively during the off-season. The Deltabox frame and aluminium swingarm have therefore been redesigned on the basis of the 2016 model, in order to work on consistency and tire wear, two parameters that caused numerous problems last season.

As for the rest, as you'd expect, the manufacturers aren't very forthcoming with details. So we know the minimum on this 2018 M1, which is also closely linked to the regulations: single Magneti Marelli electronic box, 6-speed seamless extractable gearbox with anti-dribble clutch, Brembo brakes with 320 or 340mm front disc (in carbon or steel), two four-piston calipers, full Ohlins suspension, 17-inch magnesium wheels with Michelin tires and dry weight of 157 Kg, which corresponds to the minimum accepted in the Championship.

This 2018 packaging is therefore the basis for this season, which may well be the season of a return to the top step of the podium. And we'll have to rely on the motivation of an ageing Valentino Rossi, whose chances of winning his 10th title are dwindling fast. As for Maverick Vinales, he'll be out to prove that he belongs in one of the paddock's leading teams. For Yamaha, the manufacturer's title is the main objective, the last two having been won in 2015 and 2010. But the task will be arduous. Very tough. The performances of acrobat Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) and Ducati's return to favour could well complicate the Tuning Forks' task. Let's not forget that in 2017, Ducati came very close to snatching 2nd place from Yamaha in the manufacturers' standings. In the end, however, Ducati was unable to gain the upper hand in the final stretch, due to Jorge Lorenzo's mediocre results... the man who had brought Yamaha its most recent title..