Yamaha’s all-new 189 bhp, US$11,600 YZF-R1 Supersport

The YCC-T system makes for an even simpler structure in the intake passage compared to previous mechanical air-control systems (suction piston/sub-throttle valve), and this has enabled Yamaha’s engineers to fit a shorter intake for increased high-rpm performance. And because the R1’s new YCC-I system enables the intake funnels to operate at their full 140mm length at lower revs, and at a shorter 65mm length at higher engine speeds, the benefits of the YCC-T electronically-controlled throttle are accentuated.

The advanced YCC-T technology was used to great effect on Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP Championship-winning Yamaha YZR-M1 race bike, and made its successful production bike debut on the 2006 R6. The system senses various aspects of the R1 rider’s throttle operation, and the ECU instantly adjusts the throttle valve opening to the optimum setting by means of a motor drive.

The ECU features a 3 high-speed microcomputers capable of reading changes in throttle parameters at a rate of 1000th of a second. This ensures smooth, instantaneous and linear operating characteristics in response to the slightest input from the rider.

The advantages of the YCC-T system have already been demonstrated on the 2006 YZF-R6 which has been widely acclaimed for its superb throttle response. Now, with the introduction of YCC-I, our engineers have been able to create a fifth-generation R1 that offers abundant torque right across the rev range.

After intensive research and development, we programmed the Y-CCT to complement the substantial performance gains associated with the new Y-CC-I intake system, and the result is a remarkably linear torque curve for increased real-world performance and even higher levels of man-machine harmony.

New shape combustion chamber with 4-valve head design

As already mentioned, Yamaha’s engineers have focused on air intake volume control and intake efficiency as the key areas in the development of the new R1 engine. The adoption of YCC-I and YCC-T are complemented by the introduction of an all-new cylinder head which is designed to work in close harmony with the new G.E.N.I.C.H. technologies in order to achieve our goal of increased performance at all engine speeds.

The use of YCC-I and YCC-T have transformed the operation of the new generation engine, and in order to maximise the gains offered by this new technology, the cylinder head design has been completely revamped. In order to complement the new electronic intake and throttle control technologies, virtually every aspect of the 2007 cylinder head layout is new.

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