First pics: 2008 Yamaha R1

The 2008 Yamaha R1. Looks absolutely superb. Honda should look at these pics and think about what they've done to the new Fireblade


(From Left) The 2008 R1 will also be available in blue, with gold painted wheels, the 2008 XJR1300 gets a new paintjob, and the 2008 FZ1 gets ABSR1 and XJR Pics: MCN

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Yamaha have released these pictures of the 2008 R1 and while there seem to be no radical changes, the new R1 paintjobs looks hot! Last year, Yamaha had introduced some radical technology on the R1, including the much-hyped Yamaha Chip-Controlled Intake (YCC-I), a variable length air intake system that boosts power at high revs, and the sophisticated YCC-T fly-by-wire throttle control system. Taking a break from 20 years of using five-valve cylinder heads, the bike had also been given four-valve cylinder heads with intake valves made of titanium.

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We still don't have information on what tech changes have been implemented on the 2008 R1, but if at all any changes have been made to the engine, chassis or suspension, we expect those to be relatively minor. More details as they become available...

For the adventure bike types, here is the 2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere. Does look quite funky, we must say! More pics of this bike here