![]() ![]() In 2005, Yamaha returned to the Superbike World Championship as regulations had changed in 2003 to permit 1,000cc 4-cylinder bikes to compete. For Yamaha, it was the first riders’ crown in the top class in 12 years. From start-to-finish, he consistently won races that season (nine victories in 16 rounds) to claim the title, his fourth consecutive championship victory. Rossi would validate his reputation by extracting more than 100% of the YZR-M1’s potential. Not only was Rossi an incredibly fast rider, but he also had a remarkable talent for bike development qualities that gave him his nickname “The Doctor”. Besides a drastically new factory machine, Yamaha also brought a big trump card to the table, signing 25-year-old reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi. The frame was also entirely revised – from its rigidity, balance, and weight distribution to its geometry – substantially boosting the bike’s competitiveness. The exhaust note was completely different, emitting a deep powerful growl. With its pride as a motorcycle manufacturer on the line, Yamaha built a radical new YZR-M1 (0WP3) for 2004 that used an updated engine with a cross-plane crankshaft and an uneven firing interval. Thanks to several race wins, including a 1-2 finish for McCoy and Checa in the South African GP, the riders brought Yamaha its ninth constructors’ title. In 2000, five riders entered with Yamaha: Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa, Régis Laconi, Gary McCoy and Norifumi “Norick” Abe, all riding YZR500s (OWK6) with improved acceleration and higher top speed. While working on developing new 4-stroke race machines, all manufacturers still had to compete with their current 2-stroke bikes. Environmental concerns, that prompted the shift from 2-stroke to 4-stroke machinery, also affected the pinnacle class of the Grand Prix World Championship. ![]() All 4-stroke machines would be allowed a maximum engine size of 990cc – nearly double the previous limit – and their maximum allowable weight was determined by the number of cylinders. In 2000, The FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) announced regulation changes for the 2002 500cc class. Entering the 21st century, big changes were taking place in the motorcycle road racing world. ![]()
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