Pirelli and Yamaha: from the track to the sea, a multi-year global partnership
The strong collaboration between the Italian tyre company and the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer is strengthened with the introduction on the market of the new Yamaha YZF-R1 with Pirelli DIABLO™ Supercorsa SP as original equipment tyres The new supersport bike from Iwata equipped by Pirelli and the Pirelli PZero 1100 Cabin rib with twin installation Yamaha V6 F300 outboard engines are the stars of the video "The winning poker" made by the TV show dedicated to the world of boating "The Boat Show". Pirelli and Yamaha are, in their respective fields of activity, two brands of excellence recognized for the high level of technology and performance offered by their products. The technical partnership between these two companies is based on a multi-year and fruitful collaboration that has grown in important ways from the beginning of the 1980’s. An early result of this joint work was the legendary Yamaha XJ900 launched in 1983 and for which Pirelli designed the Phantom tyres, in the Y dedicated version. Since then, over the years the relationship between the two brands has been constantly growing stronger including the nautical sector where Pirelli and Yamaha have a solid tradition. Today Pirelli is expressed in the design of high-end ribs and Yamaha by a good use of engineering experience in the development and production of high performance outboard engines.
The latest strong example of collaboration between the two companies is embodied by the new Yamaha YZF-R1, a totally revolutionary bike which uses, to tame the 200 horsepower of its highly evolved crossplane engine, as original equipment, the equally extraordinary Pirelli DIABLO™ Supercorsa SP tyres of pure Superbike derivation. To celebrate the years of success and global partnership Pirelli and Yamaha, with the co-operation of the TV programme "The Boat Show", have created a story called "The winning poker" whose protagonists are the new supersport bike from Iwata equipped by Pirelli alongside the Pirelli PZero 1100 Cabin rib with two Yamaha F300 V6 outboard engines, all united by the same denominator which for many years, has become the slogan of Pirelli: "Power is nothing without control". CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO
The brand-new Yamaha YZF-R1 is a jewel of technology with highly advanced electronic control systems and an innovative 998cc liquid-cooled crossplane engine, forward-inclined parallel 4-cylinder, with 4-valves DOHC producing 200hp. Its central nerve system is a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with three Gyro/G sensors and three accelerometers and sensors which analyse in real time and 3D position and movements of the bike, with total control of traction, slippage in the yaw and even wheelies and departures. Banking sensitive Traction Control/Slide Control, Front Lift Control and Launch Control and Banking sensitive Racing ABS/Unified Brake System are just some of the functions handled by the "brain" of this supersport bike, combined with a new short wheelbase aluminium Deltabox frame that keeps the wet weight down to 200 kg.
To transmit to the road the horsepower of the bike the original equipment Pirelli DIABLO™ Supercorsa SP tyres in 120/70 ZR17 front and 190/55 ZR17 rear sizes have been selected. The tyre is in fact the final essential element of a control system chain which is among the most sophisticated in the world. These tyres are a combination of technology that leverages the expertise and racing heritage acquired by Pirelli in the role of sole supplier of the Superbike World Championship since 2004 and that fit and work perfectly with all the electronic control systems this bike is equipped with. The Pirelli DIABLO™ Supercorsa SP are at the top of the segment for grip and handling, which makes it even more fun to ride this bike. Moreover, the new generation of polymers used for the compounds of these tyres guarantee a rapid warm-up and a constant grip in all conditions for an immediate mastery of the vehicle.
The Pirelli PZero 1100 Cabin is a sporty rib for short and quick trips built with the most modern technologies and that allows a possible overnight stay on board. Hull and deck are made to obtain a lightweight, sturdy and durable boat. The tubes are designed to increase the buoyancy reserve and to control careening. Although it offers a sleek and sporty shape, in the hallway below deck and in the bathroom you can stand up. The cockpit is a well protected area where six people can stay. On the tubes, at the center of the hull, the footprint of the Pirelli Pzero tyre is applied. The dashboard enables best viewing of all the equipment.
Just as for the motorcycle, also in this case the vehicle would be incomplete if it were not able to fully exploit the technology which it’s fitted out with. The Pirelli PZero 1100 Cabin can be equipped with twin installation outboard Yamaha F300 V6-24 valves and 300 hp engines with 4,169 cm3 displacement. With a weight of only 268 kg, the power/weight ratio is therefore 1.1 kg per hp. The engine has as standard equipment the sophisticated Y-COP System, which is the immobilizer device of Yamaha that prevents starting in the event of theft. Shifting into gear is particularly soft due to fly by wire control and propellers equipped with the unique patented SDS (Shift Dampener System) that reduce sound level for smooth shifting.
The engine is equipped with a 24-valve, 4.2 litre, 60 V6 with DOHC with EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) and VCT (Variable Camshaft Timing) for maximum fuel efficiency and performance plus ease of starting. And, at the helm, you are guaranteed the driving control is more uniform and accurate than ever, thanks to the accelerator and the gearshift being electronically managed.