Sterilgarda Yamaha YZF-R1 World Superbike Photo Gallery

Ben Spies celebrates his championship title at Portugal

MotoUSA tests the World Championship-winning Sterilgarda Yamaha YZF-R1 of American Ben Spies. Read the full story in our 2009 World Superbike Comparison.

Ben Spies awaits the start of the Magny-Cours round.

2009 Sterilgarda Yamaha Team - Ben Spies and Tom Sykes

Sterilgarda Yamaha YZF-R1 World Superbike

The fuel tank on the Yamaha WSBK has been moved to the rear of the bike allowing for a lower center of gravity.

Spies' 09 YZF-R1 has an enlarged radiator and oil tank to help cool the beast down.

Custom Akrapovic exhaust was engineered to perform with the YZF-R1 motor.

The Yamaha WSBK has Magnetti Marelli data acquisition engine management system on the bike. There are aproximately 25 sensors all over measuring wheel speed, O2, clutch, etc. to help customize the bike to the rider.

The rear swingarm is designed by engineers to be about 25% stiffer than stock to give the Spies a firm feel at the rear of the Yamaha.

On the WSBK the dash displays a lap-time, gear selection, rpm and, if needed, temperature sensors for the motor.

The controls on the YZF-R1 offer a launch control, traction control, and pit lane speed limiter.

Sterilgarda Yamaha YZF-R1 World Superbike

The Yamaha World Superbike YZF-R1 has a crossplane crankshaft which smooths out the torque curve so the rider can get back into the throttle earlier.

Sterilgarda Yamaha World Superbike

Ben Spies captures the win in style on the Sterilgarda Yamaha.