Soup :: Yamaha's MotoGP M1 In Focus: Up Close With Spies' Steed

Yamaha's MotoGP M1 In Focus: Up Close With Spies' Steed
images by dean adams

Last July Souptastic was afforded a few moments alone with Ben Spies' Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike. Note the juicy bits here: thin carbon pipe hanger, titanium exhaust and beautifully thin and flat carbon bodywork.	A magnesium top clamp keeps it all together. Launch control, pit speed and engine map buttons flank the dash. Dash pod has GPS unit built into the top.	Obviously the M1 had just been uncrated when these were shot. It still had the 'transport' wheel and tire, and the brake calipers were blocked with both carbon pads and rotors removed. Note cool Staubli connections on calipers--disconnect and no bleeding. Carbon discs are removed while the bike is in transport.	Factory level MotoGP carbon bodywork is unbelievably beautiful and fits perfectly. Note the standard dry clutch, and carbon ducting designed presumably to keep Spies' foot cool.
Meanwhile, outside Ben Spies earns the big bucks by signing a helmet covered in frogskin. Yuck!	On this side, the transponder in blue, ECU control connection and 'flame on' switch. Swing-arm pivot adjustment for those times when you need it.	CRT bikes have large shoes to fill if they one day replace factory bikes, just in terms of the beautiful yet simple aesthetics. Protective screen over radiator is a great example.	Two MotoGP bikes and tools to maintain them on a race weekend all inside a box the size of an average condo garage in the USA. LED lights are Italian and shipped world wide with the bikes.