That's an interesting development. It would be cool to see a V4 make it's way into a Japanese production sport bike. In terms of it helping their effort in MotoGP though, I don't think it would. I think it's more than just the engine with those guys. Look at Honda with their V4.

 

A Japanese V4 sportbike? Here comes 1983, again...

Bring back 500cc two-strokes!

 

Honda had the VFR, granted I would classify that more as sport tourer. I read this story the other day, apparently Yamaha is going all in to have the motor in a bike for next season. Be interesting if it does follow in to a production bike in the future. Will also be fun to watch and see how much success they have and how quickly, if at all.

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/yamahas-development-of-v4-engine-for-motogp-bike-in-advanced-state/10652974/

 

Honda had the VFR, granted I would classify that more as sport tourer.

The original VFR (rc30) was all sport, zero tourer.

 

The VFR and RFV were released almost 30 - 40 years ago. There hasn't been a production Japanese V4 sport bike available to the general public since, unless we count the RC213VS. I don't think anyone would wet their pants more than the CBR cadre if Honda released a true production V4. The Yamy boys would be just as ecstatic if something like that came out of Yamaha. Hell, I wouldn't mind seeing something like that myself.

 

Reminder that motogp is prototype racing, they can not sell what is current. There was a motogp bike back in the 2000's that failed tech because it shared a crankshaft with a zx10 or something like it. World superbike would be where our sport bikes would come from. Given the power levels and speed I would not be upset if they brought the motogp class back to 600cc as prototypes. Dont forget the VF500 honda, we could have some really trick/fun bikes modernized, and I should no longer be forced to clean carburetors on them...

 

It seems manufacturers are pushing smaller displacement bikes.
Curious to see if they stop making 1000 cc bikes in favor of the 850 cc bikes. Either in 2V or 4V form.
Don’t see them having any issues getting HP from a 4V 850 cc bike.
Also don’t know how cost effective it would be to have both 1000 cc and a 850 cc.
Guess we ll cc. 😉😉

 

MotoGP bikes run pneumatic valve springs and seamless gearboxes, neither of which would work in a streetbike. And if Yamaha built a V4 race rep it would be a Japanese Panigale V4. A bit different, for sure, but where's the novelty except when purchasing spares?

Why would it be a better track bike than an R1 or R6?

 

Yamaha has a bit of an advantage next year. Their concessions will allow them to continue to develop their engine in spite of the development freeze. The 2027 move to 850cc is a reduction in stroke with the same bore size...so Yamaha could have all of next season to continue to develop and "test" their 2027 configuration if they move to a v4.

 

...The 2027 move to 850cc is a reduction in stroke with the same bore size...

Other way around.

 

I'd doubt it. They may be working on an 850 V4 for 2027. It would be pretty stupid to work on a whole new power plant just for 2 seasons. Also it's not as if having a V4 is a key to success. The Hondas are much worse than the Yamahas

 

Not stupid at all IMO. The stroke will be the same, so most of the engine dimensions will be unchanged. The means much of the work done on developing a chassis and aero/cooling around the engine will carry over. Moving from a V4 to a slightly narrower V4 is a much smaller step than going from an I4 to a V4.

 

You boys must be young when recalling Hondas roadgoing V4's
RC30
RC45, even the VFR1000R. And the bike banned at the start of the 4 stroke era I believe ws the WCM Yamaha based on an R1. Too many R1 parts in it to make it a prototype

 

There was also a 700 due to the tariff because of Harley.
Dam I’m old.

 

And there you have it boys and girls. Not necessarily on the grid next year, but they will be testing it on track.

Yamaha signals major shift with confirmation of V4 engine development

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, revealed that the Japanese brand are set for a change from the Inline-4 engine, and offered a timeframe for its introduction

www.motogp.com

 

I think I found the prototypes.

I am sure Jack will get the first one while the second one just screams Fabios name.

 

You guys do realize that Yamaha made a no-shit V4 sport bike at one time, right? Of course, it had 2 crankshafts. 😁

 

Yup...

 

From what I remember it was more of a shit sportbike , did not live up to expectations. Now a modern one could be fun, since they are retiring the 1000cc engines for the 850 that might allow another desmocedici to be sold again.

 

I know it was left wanting in comparisons to the RG and NS but I loved mine. With a damper to address the headshake I found it great handling and it actually had a bottom end and strong midrange grunt and lotsa fun when it came on pipe. Also the comfiest sport bike I've had, no problem with 1000km days. Would've been a great sport tourer except for the need to carry 2stroke oil.

 

Had a VFR750 with the gear driven cans, it was boring and sounded like a Singer sewing machine...even with the Yosh slip ons...

 

I knew a guy who owned a vfr750, he used to rave about it but then out riding with his girlfriend one day he was flat out at 240km/h she went past him on a cbr 600 He sold the vfr shortly after that and got a 600

 

The start of something great: Yamaha’s first V4 MotoGP bike!

Yamaha may be the last manufacturer to build a four-stroke V4 MotoGP bike but it was the first factory to build a premier-class V4, the 1982 0W61 500cc two-stroke, which introduced a configuration that won the last 18 500cc world championships

www.motorsportmagazine.com

 

Yamaha built the first V4 2-stroke GP bike in 1980.

 

That wasn't really a V4, it had two crankshafts, as a tandem twins.