OK, we admit we’re itching to hike a leg over the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1, and are aware that the riding public is chompin’ at the bit for news about how the latest Yamaha literbike stacks up. And while our desires will soon be sated by the approaching press introduction, you can get a solid first look at the motorcycle on the track and hear the M1-derived engine with commentary provided by 2008 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi courtesy of a video circulating on YouTube.

It is only fitting that Rossi discusses the '09 R1’s characteristics. The bike inherits the crossplane crankshaft technology developed in his championship-winning M1. Each crank pin is positioned 90-degrees from the next, resulting in an uneven firing order of 270-180-90-180, giving the new R1 a claim as the first production motorcycle with this.
 
Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies also got the opportunity to wring out the '09 Yamaha R1 recently at a three-day test in Kylami, South Africa. In only its second track outing, the R1 is already competitive, as Spies posted the second-fastest lap time of the test and was one of only three riders to break the 1:40 barrier with a best time of 1:39.978. Spies did so without testing his full regiment of qualifiers, not to mention that he is still making adjustments to his new ride after previously competing on Suzuki’s GSX-R1000. The motorcycle is still close to production specs, so what they’ve been running on the track is similar to what will soon be available on the street.

In the bike’s first test at Portimao, site of the final WSBK race of 2008, Spies lapped only two-tenths of a second slower than the race Lap Record set by 2008 WSBK Champion Troy Bayliss. Spies’ best time at Portimao was 1:43.9, just off Bayliss’ 1:43.787 that he posted in Race 2. Spies consistently lapped in the 1:44s for most of the session on an R1 fitted with a modified camshaft, an enlarged radiator and the addition of an oil cooler.

“The 2009 bike is at the beginning of its development, but for where it’s at now compared to where we will be when we line up at Phillip Island, it’s hugely exciting,” Spies said.

Spies is not the only one that’s excited. The R1 Forums are already buzzing in anticipation of the motorcycle’s scheduled mid-January release. To bring you up to speed, check out Steve Atlas’ First Look article to get the full run-down on the bike’s new SOQI suspension and updated engine and electronics. Will the revamped literbike have enough trickle-down technology to unseat the reigning Superbike Smackdown Champion, Honda’s CBR1000RR? Tune in with Motorcycle USA to find out.