Yamaha R1. The crossplane inline-four that changed what a superbike engine was supposed to feel like. Every other litre-class superbike fires its cylinders in an even 180-degree sequence. The R1's crossplane crankshaft fires at 90-270-180-90 degree intervals — replicating the irregular firing order of the YZR-M1 MotoGP engine and producing a torque pulse character that no other inline-four on the market replicates. The result is a rear tyre that loads and unloads in a way that gives the rider significantly more feel and feedback at the limit than a conventional four. 200 horsepower. 113Nm. A six-axis IMU electronics suite that includes the most sophisticated traction control system Yamaha has ever fitted to a road motorcycle. The R1 has never been the most powerful superbike in its class. It has consistently been the most connected — and for the riders who understand the difference, that is the only argument that matters. Is the R1 still the benchmark for rider feel in the litre cla...