Yamaha Unveils 2012 MotoGP Livery – Massive Gallery and Video

Yamaha has pulled the covers off the 2012 edition of its YZR-M1, the machines which racers Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies will ride to compete in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship.

While last year’s M1 was predominantly blue, the new 1000cc version of the M1 sports more white paint with wide bands of Yamaha blue on the front fairing and along the side, flowing along the line of the seat. Like most MotoGP squads, Yamaha doesn’t want to be too specific about its MotoGP bike’s potential, estimating the power output from the crossplane crankshaft engine at over 240 hp.

The man to beat is defending champion Casey Stoner who dominated the pre-season tests on the Repsol Honda RC213V. Lorenzo and Spies also performed well during testing but they’re still slightly behind the reigning World Champion.

Check out a video released by Yamaha as well as a massive gallery of Lorenzo, Spies, and the 2012 Yamaha M1 after the jump.

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2012 Yamaha YZR-M1 Technical Specifications:

Engine
1000cc Liquuid cooled inline four-cylinder with crossplane crankshaft.

Power
Over 240 horsepower – 176KW.

Transmission
Six-speed cassette-type gearbox with alternative gear ratios available.

Chassis
Aluminum twin tube delta box with multi-adjustable steering geometry.
Aluminum swingarm.

Suspension
Ohlins upside down forks and Ohlins rear shock, all adjustable for pre-load and compression, rebound damping.

Wheels
MFR Forged Magnesium 16.5 front, 16.5 rear.

Tires
Bridgestone, 16.5 inch front, 16.5 inch rear, available as slick and wet tires.

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.

[Source: Yamaha]

By Dennis Chung