Yamaha's YZF-R1 has always been a great looking machine.  In fact it was our most downloaded wallpaper for 2002.

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

• New instruments with adjustable shift light