in-line four-cylinder Archives

2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M recalled again

Though it may be somewhat of a new bike, even the manic 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M superbikes will need to undergo a recall at some point. In this recent case, Yamaha has issued a recall for both its new flagship superbike models to fix a small yet potentially dangerous issue.

According to trusted sources, Yamaha’s recall for both the new R1 and R1M sees it addressing a potentially faulty oil delivery pipe O-ring. Additionally, Yamaha had this to say on its official website:

‘It is possible for an oil leak to occur, from the O-Ring on the Oil Delivery Pipe where it enters the engine case, because of improper assembly of the components. If a leak occurs, oil could leak onto the exhaust and in extreme circumstances the oil could catch fire.’

Though the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M aren’t offered here in Malaysia officially, we at BikesRepublic.com are aware of its presence via grey importers. Should you own one, we highly recommend you to have this issue looked at by a specialist garage as soon as possible.

Also worth noting here is that this is not the 2015 YZF-R1 model’s first recall. This new potential fire hazard comes after a recent recall for the R1’s faulty transmission components. The latter problem had forced the Japanese bike maker to issue a ‘stop sale’ order to its American dealers pending the fault’s rectification.

Sources: Visordown and Asphaltandrubber ( Link 1 / Link 2 )

New Honda superbikes rumoured for 2017

Rumour has surfaced indicating that Honda are working on two new superbike models bound for release in 2017. Credible sources are indicating that the two new models will likely come in the forms of a heavily updated CBR1000RR Fireblade, followed by an all-new RVF1000 model with a V4 engine configuration.

The twelfth generation Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade as we know last underwent an update in 2014 where it received a slight increase in power with mildly revised rider ergonomics, plus the addition of a racier ‘SP’ variant as well.

Sources report that if it is green-lit, the next CBR1000RR will be based on the current bike, but will sport a revised exterior with high chance of a revised new electronics package to stack up against its rivals. Furthermore, the rumour also indicated that the updated CBR1000RR will remain rather road-focused instead of being a machine for track use.

As for the RVF1000 model, the rumour did suggest that Honda would develop it as a proper track machine. If green-lit, the V4-powered new RVF1000 will see Honda likely targeting the likes of the new Yamaha YZF-R1, Aprilia RSV4 RF and the Ducati Panigale R.

However, Honda will likely take some time in figuring out the right specification and pricing for the new RVF1000 as how it was for the controversial RC213V-S road-legal GP bike. Based on recent leaked patent and design files, the new RVF1000 V4 will likely resemble closely to the aforementioned road-going GP bike besides sharing a similar V4 powerplant.

Honda would likely build the RVF1000 using cost-effective parts from the RC213V-S like its cast-aluminium frame whilst also retaining much of street-legal GP bike’s basic elements and design solutions. However, this rumour sounds somewhat slightly far-fetched as compared to the updated CBR1000RR rumour. Honda remains coy about this particular V4 project, so it is a case of waiting and seeing if this materialises.

Sources: Asphaltandrubber and MCN

Video: 2016 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 in detail

After making its highly anticipated debut during EICMA 2015 last month, the new sixth generation Suzuki GSX-R 1000 superbike looks set to become a force to be reckon with. (more…)

EICMA 2015: Yamaha MT-10 debuts

Having already set a milestone with its all-new 2015 YZF-R1, Japanese powerhouse Yamaha have opted surprise everyone by debuting the superbike’s naked offshoot during EICMA 2015.

Meet the all-new Yamaha MT-10 super-naked. Essentially, this is the budget-friendly Yamaha R1S superbike as we know it reborn as a streetfighter.

As far as its design goes, the work is rather controversial to say the least with Yamaha fans being divided over it. Nevertheless, we can’t argue at the fact that it looks rather sharp and quite futuristic, more akin to some of Yamaha’s radical concepts instead of a full-blown production bike.

More importantly, the MT-10’s arrival signals Yamaha entry into the competitive super-naked segment, and sees the brand completing its range of offerings to cover a wide spectrum of buyers. Yamaha has been absent in the high performance naked bike segment since perhaps the Fazer 1000 model.

Being based on the venerable R1 superbike, the MT-10 shares the same 998cc CP4 crossplane in-line four-cylinder from its fully-faired sibling, albeit detuned ‘slightly’ with just 165hp and roughly 101.6Nm of torque. Complementing the powertrain are features such as a three-level traction control feature, a slipper clutch, as well as a cruise control function.

The chassis is also derived from the R1S, with the MT-10 also retaining the same suspension set and swingarm assembly. And, minus the Bosch IMU, much of the R1S’s electronics package is also retained here in the MT-10. Other notable highlights include a full LCD dash, 320mm twin floating front discs with quad-piston radial calipers combined with a single 220mm rear disc with a sliding calipers, as well as ABS.

Clearly, Yamaha has got the BMW S1000R naked in its target crosshairs, explaining the standard equipped cruise control. This being based on the budget R1S, we can also expect this MT-10 to carry a lower pricing from the flagship R1 as well. There is no doubt though that the MT-10 now sits at the top of the brand’s MT naked model range.

2016 Yamaha MT-10

Sources: Asphaltandrubber / Visordown / MCN

EICMA 2015: All-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 finally unveiled

After being absent from the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the long wait is finally over after the covers were pulled off an all-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike.

Its been a full 11 years since Suzuki fully updated the model, and this new GSX-R1000, which bears the ‘L7’ chassis code, arrives sporting plenty of new hardware and an all-new look as well.

Suzuki claims this new sixth generation GSX-R1000 is the lightest, most powerful and best handling GSX-R ever built, and we have very little reason to doubt that claim. This 6th generation GSX-R1000, or better known as the ‘Gixxer’ thousand amongst fans, is also the most highly equipped version of the superbike ever built.

As far as looks go, the sixth-gen Gixxer thousand now boasts a brand new face and yet, the bike’s lines remains rather distinctively unmistakable as a Gixxer. There’s new LED lighting all round that is complimented with a new LED dash display as well, giving this new L7 Gixxer a very high-tech touch. Of course, what counts for the most is what’s beneath the pretty new metal and this sixth-gen Gixxer has got plenty to boast.

For starters, it gains with a new and improved 999cc in-line four-cylinder engine primed with variable valve timing (VVT). The S-brand’s new litre-sized screamer offers 200hp and about 111Nm of peak torque. Highlights here include Suzuki Racing Finger valve train follower rocker arm to improve valve control and allow higher rpm, while the Suzuki Exhaust Tuning-Alpha (SET-A) and Suzuki Top Feed Injector (S-TFI) systems, which all combine to make what Suzuki call their Broad Power System. Crucially though, much of these were developed off the S-brand’s GSX-RR MotoGP bike.

The mill is encased within an all-new chassis design made using lightweight aluminium, but the icing on its cake has to be the Showa Balance Free Front Forks (BFFF) that was first seen in the rivalling 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. The Gixxer takes things up a notch though by pairing that with Showa’s Balance Free Rear Cushion at the back, and if our trained eyes are correct, you even get of twin Brembo anchors up front as well.

Like the rivalling Yamaha YZF-R1 and Kawasaki ZX-10R, the new Gixxer thousand also arrives with a full array of new electronics and advanced rider aids. Things start off with a quick-shifter and auto-blipper, followed by a 10-level traction control system, launch control, as well as three different riding modes thanks to ride-by-wire, not forgetting the all-important advanced ABS suite too.

The new sixth-generation Suzuki GSX-R1000 is expected to hit markets starting early next year but prices are still undisclosed for now. Nevertheless, this is one superbike we know will stack well against its other Japanese- and European-made litre-classed rivals indeed.