Sport Rider Photos
In contrast to the old R1 frame that was made mostly from Controlled-Fill precision die castings with extruded plates welded outside the main frame spars, the new R1's frame is all-new, with a combination of conventional gravity castings for the steering head and swingarm pivot section, with a Controlled-Fill precision die cast middle spar section backed by an extruded inside rail. Note the front engine mount now attaches to the bottom front of the cylinder head instead of the rear. The new frame is 22 percent stiffer vertically, but is actually 37 percent less rigid laterally, and 2 percent less rigid torsionally.
2009 Yamaha YZF R1 Frame