Yamaha Factory Racing 2012 officially launched this evening during a special event at the Jerez circuit in Spain. The event was attended by nearly 100 invited media, selected MotoGP guests and the entire Yamaha Factory Racing team. The event began with a guided tour through Yamaha’s newly designed pit garage and refreshed hospitality unit. Riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies, along with senior Yamaha Motor Racing and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd management were then present to unveil the 2012 1000cc YZR-M1 machines in their striking new livery for the assembled audience.
There was a lot of hype behind the 2012 livery as they had a new sponsor, ENEOS, whose primary colour was orange. All the speculation has been put to rest by today’s presentation, and Yamaha have stuck to their racing blue. Check out more photographs at the 2012 Yamaha YZF-M1 gallery.
Speaking about the new 1000cc M1, Mr Kouichi Tsuji, project leader of the M1 said that there is a 10% increase in horsepower and in the recently concluded Sepang tests the M1 was faster by about 14 kmph and on tracks like Mugello it could probably touch 360 kmph.
During the next three days, Yamaha Factory Racing Team and Monster Yamaha Tech3 will be testing in Jerez in what is the final test before the racing seasons kicks-off at the first GP in Qatar on April 8th.
Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing Rider)
“It’s very exciting to be here so close to the first race. I love the new livery and Yamaha’s hard work has given us a very competitive bike to fight with this season. It’s good to be here at a different track to test against our competitors before we start next month. It was a pleasure to see so many of our MotoGP media friends here to take part in the launch, nice to see so many take their picture with my bike!”
Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing Rider)
“I’m loving the new bike, man it’s great to be back on a 1000cc machine! The riding style is much closer to my natural way of riding which makes it a lot more fun. The colours look great so I’m ready to get out there tomorrow for our final shakedown before Qatar.”
Lin Jarvis (Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing)
“Firstly I’d just like to say a big thank you to all of the media that turned out here for our press conference at Jerez today. For us it was a pleasure to see so many of the media here showing attention and focus on the new MotoGP season which is only two and a half weeks away. We were delighted to be able to unveil our new bike, new colours and new pit garage and hospitality. We’ve made a major refreshment of all our materials for this year and we’re very excited to be at what we consider today to be the start of the season. It’ll be very interesting to see what happens over the next couple of days at this test, having had two successful tests at Sepang we’ve moved to a new circuit with new demands. We’re quietly confident our bike will perform well here, then after this it’s flat out and ready to go for the first race in Qatar!”
2012 Yamaha YZF-M1 technical specifications
Engine: 1000cc Liquid cooled inline four-cylinder with crossplane crankshaft.
Power: Over 240 horsepower – 176KW.
Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type gearbox with alternative gear ratios available.
Chassis: Aluminium twin tube delta box with multi-adjustable steering geometry. Aluminium swingarm.
Suspension: Ohlins upside down front forks and Ohlins rear shock, all adjustable for pre-load and compression, rebound damping.
Wheels: MFR Forged Magnesium 16.5 front, 16.5 rear.
Tyres: Bridgestone, 16.5 inch front, 16.5 inch rear, available as slick and wet tyres.
Brakes: Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs, two four-piston calipers. Single stainless
steel rear disc, twin-piston caliper.
Weight: 157 kg. In accordance with FIM regulations.
