Yamaha YZF-R1 (2004)
September 10^th, 2003

For 2004 the R1 looks even more striking, and Yamaha has thoroughly revised their sporting flagship for the new model year. Changes include;

• New bore and stroke, now 77 x 53.6mm (Previously was 74 x 58mm) .
• A new closed-deck cylinder block allows the larger bore engine to grow only 2.8mm wider (Rather than the full 12mm difference in bore size) .
• Larger bores allow for larger valves .
• Yamaha are claiming an amazing 180hp with ram-air assistance @ 12,500rpm
• A shorter cylinder head now angled further forward .
• Intake camshafts now have more lift and duration .
• 12.1:1 compression ratio (Up from 11.8:1) .
• Electronic fuel injection system now features secondary throttle valves .
• The new cylinder head allows the frame spars to go over the engine instead of around .
• The crankshaft is 16% lighter .
• The shorter con-rods for the shorter stroke engine are 9% lighter .
• Close ratio 6-speed gearbox .
• A new underslung die-cast truss swingarm (Claimed to be 30% stiffer) .
• The 43mm Kayaba forks have stiffer springs, fork offset increased by 5mm .
• Trail is reduced from 103mm to 97mm .
• New titanium exhaust system exits under the seat (stainless mid-pipe) .
• Radial mount calipers clamp on 320mm disc rotors .
• Brembo radial pump master cylinder .
• Narrower two-piece fuel tank. Fuel is kept in rear while front half contains new ram-air system .
• All new aluminium Deltabox main frame (Yamaha are claiming 200% more rigidity vertically, 50% stiffer laterally and 30% stiffer torsionally) .
• Frame width is reduced from 464 to 395mm .
• Clip ons are 10mm higher, pegs are 2.5mm further forward and 7.5mm lower.
• Headlights similar to that recently seen on the R6 .

Specifications

• Engine - 998cc, liquid-cooled, in-line four.
• Valvetrain - DOHC, 5-valves per cylinder.
• Compression Ratio - 12.1:1.
• Induction - Electronic fuel injection, dual throttle butterflies.
• Gearbox - 6-speed.
• Front Suspension - Kayaba 43mm upside-down forks, fully adjustable.
• Rear Suspension - Single shock with piggyback reservoir, fully adjustable.
• Front Brakes - 320mm discs with radially mounted 4-piston callipers.
• Tyres - 120/70-ZR17 (F), 190-50ZR17 (R).
• Length - 2,065mm.
• Width - 719mm.
• Height - 1,105mm.
• Seat Height - 833mm.
• Wheelbase - 1,395mm.
• Rake - 24.0°.
• Dry weight – 172kg.

Kawasaki ZX-6RR (2004)
September 10^th, 2003

Kawasaki are claiming the 2004 ZX-6RR is more race focuses than before, further diverging from the ZX-6R evenmore this year.

The main difference from the 2003 ZX-6RR Kawasaki are as follows;

· New cylinder head

· Piston crowns changed to suit revised combustion chambers

· Larger valves (Intake up by 0.5mm)

· More aggressive camshafts

· Valve springs are new while retainers have been changed to lightweight sintered aluminium

· New twin injector fuel system (Secondary injector in the airbox)

· New breathing passageways in cylinder to improve crankcase breathing and reduce losses

· Closer ratio gearbox (similar to race kit item)

· New fork settings (New damping rates and internals)

· New diamond-like-carbon coating on fork inner tubes

· Rear suspensions lower spring holder is electrostatically coated to prevent corrosion

· Matt black frame and swingarm

· Green drive chain

· Redesigned airbox with a removable duct (when duct is removed more power results)

· Ratios for the oil and water pump gears have changed to reduce mechanical loss

Specifications

• Engine - 599cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, in-line 4-cylinder
• Bore x Stroke - 67 x 42.5mm
• Compression Ratio - 13.5:1
• Valvetrain - DOHC, 16 valves
• Induction - EFI with 4 x 38mm dual-butterfly throttle bodies, twin injectors per cylinder
• Gearbox - 6-speed
• Clutch - Wet, multi-plate
• Tyres - 120/65ZR17 (F), 180/55ZR17 (R)
• Rake - 24.5°
• Trail - 95mm
• Front Suspension - 41mm inverted forks, fully adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and preload, top out springs
• Rear Suspension - Bottom link, uni-trak, gas charged shock, fully adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and preload, top out springs
• Front Brakes - 280mm discs with radially mounted opposed 4-piston calipers
• Rear Brake - Single 220mm disc
• Length - 2,025mm
• Width 720mm
• Height - 1,110mm
• Wheelbase - 1,400mm
• Ground Clearance - 130mm
• Seat Height - 825mm
• Fuel Capacity - 18 litres

KTM Duke 990 - 2004 - Introduction
September 17^th, 2003

Introduction to the KTM 990 Duke

· The engine weighs 58kg, approximately 20% lighter than the competition

· V-Twin, 999cc displacement

· Short stroke, 75° Vee

· Electronic fuel injection

· LC8 engine is vertically split at different levels for a space saving arrangement of the crankshaft and the two shafts of the six-speed gearbox

· A space saving multifunction shaft rotates in the Vee between the two cylinders, supporting the two counterweights, drives the water pump and the centrifuge of the engine case vent, also serving as an idler gear for the starter and two timing chains

· A near linear torque curve

· Dry sump lubrication with a 3-litre oil tank under the radiator

· 122hp @ 9,000rpm

· 99Nm @ 7,000rpm

· Cylinder heads and gearbox ratios are different from the 950 Adventure

· Frame is made of chr0-moly tube and weighs under 9kg

· Dry weight of 179kg with fuel and oil weight is 195kg wet

· Weight distribution is 51% front / 49% rear

· Low mounting of the engine and positioning of the battery lead to a very low centre of gravity

· Fuel tank holds 15 litres

· White Power shock absorber linked directly to swingarm, fully adjustable for both low and high speed compression damping, rebound damping and preload is also adjustable

· Forks are 48mm White Power upside-down with 'multi adjuster'

· Seat height is 850mm

· Brembo radial master cylinder with 320mm discs and 4-piston Brembo calipers

· 240mm disc at the rear with Brembo single-piston caliper

· 3.5" front rim and 5.5" rear rim

· Tyres are 120/70-17 up front and 180/55-17 at the rear

Specifications

· Engine - V-Twin, 4-stroke, 75° Vee, DOHC

· Displacement - 999.8cc

· Bore x Stroke - 101 x 62.4mm

· Claimed Power - 122hp @ 9,000rpm

· Claimed Torque - 99Nm @ 7,000rpm

· Starting - Electric

· Transmission - 6-speed, dog clutch engagement

· Induction - Electronic fuel injection

· Cooling - Liquid cooled

· Clutch - wet multi-plate, hydraulic

· Frame - Chro-Moly tubular space frame, powder coated

· Subframe - Aluminium

· Front Suspension - 48mm WP USD adjustable, 135mm travel

· Rear Suspension - WP shock, fully adjustable, 160mm travel

· Front Brakes - 320mm discs, Brembo 4-piston calipers

· Rear Brake - 240mm disc, Brembo single-piston caliper

· Rims - 3.5" x 17 (F), 5.5" x 17 (R)

· Tyres - 120/70-17 (F), 180/55-17 (R)

· Steering head angle - 66.5°

· Trail - 103mm

· Wheelbase - 1,438mm

· Ground Clearance - 165mm

· Seat Height - 855mm

· Fuel Capacity - 15 litres

· Dry Weight - 179kg

· Wet Weight - 195kg