183-horse Yamaha R1 SP launches

Here's what the company had to say about it: The YZF-R1SP shares the 2006 model R1's maximised exhaust and intake efficiency that boosts power to a mind-blowing 183bhp. Plus Moto GP feedback has led to the Deltabox V frame balance being optimised to improve handling. In conjunction with this, a longer swingarm is fitted to offer the most confidence inspiring R1 ride ever.

In addition to these shared upgrades, the SP sports exclusive Öhlins suspension and Marchesini wheels - objects of beauty and performance that transform the SP into the world's most desirable one-litre supersport bike.

But engineers did not just bolt existing aftermarket parts to an R1. The chief test rider for the SP project collaborated with the manufacturers to develop unique wheels and suspension units specially for the R1SP.

These are one-off parts developed only for the small production run model.

In order to further increase the capability for a smooth approach to the apex of a corner, a race-bred slipper clutch has been adopted on the SP. This clutch has a mechanism that controls the amount of torque being transmitted from the rear wheel to the crank in order to accommodate high power output and provide greater reliability and ease of use.

More convenient features include a rear ride height adjustment mechanism that allows fine tuning of machine balance for individual preference, plus the placement of a stopwatch switch in the right switch box.

Rather than simply add trick parts to an existing 2006 model R1, the YZF-R1SP is a unique motorcycle in its own right. Each model comes with a limited edition serial number plate on the top triple clamp that further enhances the machine's desirability. Price is pegged at $26,999 plus ORC.

The Ohlins story
Development work with Öhlins required six months to complete. The development staff and the test riders travelled to the Öhlins factory in Sweden to test the bike with existing Öhlins suspension, and Yamaha's required performance standards were given to the Öhlins engineers. The prototype suspension pieces, built to Yamaha standards, were then shipped to Japan for testing.

During this process Öhlins suspension engineers would sometimes travel from Sweden to Yamaha's test track to assist in development. As one of the test riders says, "We tried every imaginable setting and the Öhlins guys produced the parts to exactly the specifications we wanted."

The Yamaha test course has a section which includes the various kinds of surfaces found on public roads. Öhlins staff are highly experienced Moto GP machine setting crew members, and they worked with Yamaha's top machine development riders through repeated road tests. The suspension units are characterised by the capacity to work up excellent settings and provide a high-level balance of circuit performance potential and the qualities needed for use on public roads.

The Marchesini wheels were also developed to meet Yamaha's standards with YZR-M1 style Y-shaped spokes and 400g less weight than standard R1 wheels. Collaboration with the racing parts manufacturers gives the R1SP brilliant suspension and handling performance on both public roads and on racetracks.

The R1SP was not developed primarily to win on the racetrack, but to be fun to ride on the track.