Yamaha's new three-cylinder engine

While the Yamaha stand at the recent Intermot bike expo was somewhat lacking in new models, it did feature a new concept engine – an in-line three-cylinder unit that employs the same ‘crossplane’ technology applied to the marque’s YZF-R1 sportsbike and YZR-M1 MotoGP racer.

Without going too deeply into the mechanics, the crossplane crank almost totally cancels inertial torque, in turn producing ‘clean’ torque and a more linear, driving power delivery.

Although unveiled purely in concept form and with very little accompanying information, Yamaha has said the model will play a major part in the company’s future.

“This new concept model represents an important and significant development with regard to Yamaha’s plans for the company’s future direction in the motorcycle marketplace,” states the Yamaha Motor Europe website.

There is any number of potential candidates for such an engine that could benefit from the slim dimensions of a triple as opposed to a four, in addition to the evocative character of a three-cylinder powerplant. Triumph in particular has championed the format to huge success since its rebirth in the early ’90s, to the extent that the triple is now that marque’s signature powerplant configuration.

When we might see a Yamaha with such an engine is anyone’s guess, but the tone of the information released along with the concept engine implies it’s a case of ‘when’, not ‘if’. “By investing in this new layout, Yamaha has created a new-generation powerplant that brings with it a whole new world of possibilities,” states the Yamaha Motor Europe website.

“This light, slim and compact new three-cylinder engine is designed to add a new dimension to its category in terms of torque, sound and efficiency. By successfully combining the positive characteristics of two-cylinder and four-cylinder engines, Yamaha’s three-cylinder powerplant has the potential to bring race-inspired performance to the street,” it adds.