Engine losses due to friction were reduced by optimising the piston and ring, changing the crankshaft diameter, using a new centre oil feed lubrication system and changes to surface treatments.

The above modifications resulted in a 12% increase in maximum power and 8% increase in maximum torque, compared with the 2007 engine.

3) CLICK HERE to see a diagram showing the increase in maximum speed and reduction in fuel consumption, for each track present on both the 2007 and 2008 world championship. The biggest top speed improvement was 16 km/h at Qatar, while the M1 was over 10km/h faster at four other circuits. The biggest drop in fuel consumption was a 13% improvement at Estoril.

EMS Developments:

1) CLICK HERE to see a diagram showing how Yamaha's EMS (Engine Management System) used real time vehicle dynamics to optimise torque delivery.


Summary of 2008 Season

The 2008 YZR-M1 achieved all its racing objectives, winning the riders', constructors' and teams' MotoGP World Championships.

The YZR-M1 took victory in ten out of the 18 rounds - nine wins for Rossi (Bridgestone tyres) and one win for Jorge Lorenzo (Michelin tyres) - and a Yamaha rider finished on the podium at every race. The 2008 YZR-M1 concluded the season with 10 wins, 24 podiums and 7 pole positions.

In brief, Yamaha improved maximum tyre performance due to:

1. Chassis dimensions being modified to suit the tyre.
2. A new EMS [Engine Management System] strategy to maximize tyre performance using vehicle dynamics.

Yamaha's work to maximise engine power and minimise fuel consumption resulted in:

1. Engine performance being improved by 12%.
2. Fuel consumption being improved by 6%.