Yamaha Motor Australia launched its 2012 model YZF-R1 recently, marking the introduction of the bike with Traction Control System (TCS) for the first time on local shores.

Held at ‘The Farm’ on the Central Coast of New South Wales, the launch was unfortunately a wet one, which on one hand enabled us to work with the TCS in tricky conditions alongside the all-conquering Yamaha Racing Team.

As mentioned, the major upgrade for this year is that the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 is equipped with an advanced Traction TCS for wider ranging controllability in a variety of conditions.

By monitoring and controlling rear wheel spin, the new TCS creates a special bond between the rider and machine, enabling the owner to exploit the potential of this outstanding motorcycle. What’s more, the advanced new seven-mode TCS has been developed using feedback gained from the winning Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP racer.

The system constantly monitors sensors in the front and rear wheels, and when any rear wheel spinning is detected the system alerts the ECU which instantaneously adjusts the degree of throttle opening, fuel injection volume and ignition timing.

With six settings plus an ‘off’ mode, the R1’s new TCS can be adjusted to suit differing rider requirements, as well as a wide range of surface and weather conditions. Plus, when used in association with the existing three-mode Variable Map Function, the 2012 R1 offers a total of 21 engine set-up options. That’s a lot to choose from on a standard road-going model!

CycleOnline.com.au rode the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 at the Aussie launch.

A couple of bikes equipped with wet weather tyres enabled us to explore the capabilities of the TCS in the slippery conditions, but I’m still a believer that you need to also test in the wet before making a complete report on the system.

In the wet it’s obvious that the higher TCS settings would be over-powering on the track in the dry, but from what I could feel, it’d be pretty handy on settings three and below. In my experience using many TC systems, the grippier the tyre, the less traction control you’d want to dial in – if any.

I was able to get the handy yellow light on the dash to flicker a number of times on level five and six exiting turns, which was comforting even though I never really tried to push the envelope in the conditions. I did test it on settings three and below, but honestly it felt best on setting five to me when cruising in the rain.

If it was dry, I would guess that settings one or two would be ideal on track, while three or four (maybe even five) would be the go on the road. That’s for another story, on a different day, though…

What I can say is that even in the wet with the settings turned up relatively high, the TCS was unobtrusive in its delivery and that’s something we can all appreciate. Also note that the TCS can be adjusted on the fly, although you’ll have to be at a standstill to turn it off.

There’s also an anti-wheelie system on the R1. It works most in mode six and really restricts wheelying in first gear, while it’s slightly more relaxed in mode five. The anti-wheelie device is deactivated as soon as you switch to level four or below.

Traction Control is the major focus of the 2012 R1.

Apart from the TCS, all of the previous model R1’s strong points return, including the in-line four-cylinder 998cc crossplane crankshaft engine that has already established an enviable reputation for its high levels of linear torque output. The traction control definitely would help side grip in the dry as well, but we’ll have to wait for another day to confirm.

Of course, some of our favourite aspects of the crossplane engine include the torque and rider-friendly power delivery, but the heat of the motor in summer had been a concern in prior tests.

However no such difficulties were experienced at the launch for obvious reasons in the wet weather. In fact, the heating problems have never proven a problem for me on track, only in heavy traffic in the real world.

On top of the traction control, Yamaha has gained improvements via the fitment of a new re-mapped ECU. The revised mapping covers the degree of throttle opening for the YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle), as well as the fuel injection volume and changes to the ECU improve low to mid-range controllability and out-of-the-hole performance.

Yamaha claims that in the real world, the new ECU settings equate to stronger acceleration when powering out of slow corners, and better roll-on acceleration when overtaking.

The 2012 YZF-R1 is again equipped with a D-mode Map, which works in association with the YCC-T. It consists of three modes, which are: Standard mode, A mode and B mode. Compared to Standard, A is more aggressive, while B is less aggressive. I’ve always found that Standard works best for me, wet or dry.

Wet weather tyres at The Farm enabled us to test the TCS in the rain.

Apart from that, another YZR-M1 inspired feature on the 2012 R1 is its new handlebar crown, which is based on the design featured on the Yamaha MotoGP factory race bike. It is manufactured from gravity-cast aluminium.

Also new is the special relief pattern cast into the handlebar crown’s back face, which helps to deliver a balance of rigidity to complement the handling characteristics of the compact short wheelbase chassis.

For 2012 the footrests have been redesigned, and they now feature a modified tread pattern of cast aluminium protrusions, which deliver improved feel and fit. These were ideal for the wet conditions, but once again, it’s difficult to get an exact benefit of them without also sampling in dry conditions.

A new-look front fairing is introduced for 2012, and as well as giving the R1 a more menacing look, the latest lownfrontal area design offers improved aerodynamics. Compared to the existing model, the section beneath the two ‘eyes’ of the headlights has been opened, and a sharper line is created above the lights.

The central nose portion of the cowl sits higher than the previous model, and the surfaces either side of the nose portion have been reshaped. Although relatively subtle, the combined effect of these changes is to refresh the face of the 2012 R1, while at the same time reducing drag.

The new cowl is equipped with LED position lamps, and a new reflective finish is incorporated in the lower edge of the twin headlight assemblies to give an ‘eyeline’ illumination effect when the position lamps are on.

Yamaha has released a limited run of WGP 50th anniversary colour ways.

The latest R1 also benefits from new hexagonal silencer tail caps for an even sharper and lightweight look. New protectors fit tightly around the silencers, making it more compact visually.

Yamaha has released a Blue, Competition White and Matt Grey version of the 2012 YZF-R1 for $19,999, while a WGP 50th Anniversary Edition will set you back an additional $1500.

Visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au for further information and full specs on the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1.